C.A.R. 4000 (English)
35
More Input.
Another foreword.
In this section of the manual, we would like to show you the various ways of feeding data into
the C.A.R. 4000. First of all, we explain two terms a little more clearly. The term “recording”
will be used at some points and the term “import” at others. Both terms ultimately mean an
increased amount of data on your hard disk. The difference is that we use “import” when we
refer to file-based operations, such as when you transfer MP3s from CD to hard disk, and “re-
cording” when digitizing data from the line input. As soon as we transfer files to the hard disk,
we talk of importing, while saving an external audio signal or an audio-CD on disk in real time
is recording. But only one thing is important: data is saved on the disk. So let's get on with it.
The Audio CD.
There's nothing better.
When you record or playback an audio-CD in the C.A.R. 4000, this is
done completely digitally. This means that the data are not converted during recording but
they are read directly from the CD. For example, if you connect another CD player with one of
the line inputs, the signal would be converted twice during the recording. Once during output
from the CD player (digital > analog, or DA) and again during recording in the C.A.R. 4000 (ana-
log > digital, or AD). Unfortunately interference may occasionally become unpleasantly obvi-
ous during an analog recording and can even be heard—think of the noise in a mobile phone
near a speaker. Interference can adversely affect a recording. You should pay attention to the
original material if you want a perfect recording. If this is distorted, the C.A.R. 4000 can only
make a “perfect” recording of the distortion.
Perfect playback:
if you want use the C.A.R. 4000 in connection with a high-end end device
including digital input, only the high-end converter of the end device will be used for standard
playback, because the C.A.R. 4000 is completely digital.
Let us continue ... we have already reached the basic principles of CD recording on the first
pages (“The first recording.” page 18) of the introduction. We will examine the subject a little
more closely and technically at this point.
Copy protection.
The C.A.R. 4000 functions best with standard audio-CDs
that conform to the Redbook standard for audio-CDs. The audio-CD logo is
shown to the left. All CDs manufactured to conform to this format can be
played back and recorded with the C.A.R. 4000. Unfortunately, more and more record compa-
nies are deciding to implement copy protection mechanisms. In so doing they are actually
violating the Redbook definition—such CDs should not carry the audio-CD logo. For this rea-
son, some CDs have a small note somewhere such as the following: Cannot be played on the
