All About CD Recording Time

About CD Recording Time

As music is sampled at a continuous rate for recording to a CD, a typical CD (700 MB) can contain 80 minutes of audio. Even though many recordable CDs are used for data-type purposes, most people measure record speed in multiples of 'real time'. 1x record speed means that it takes 80 minutes ot record (burn) 80 minutes of audio. 52x speed means: 80 minutes / 52 = 1.538... minutes.

There are some exceptions to this rule: Old CDs were 74 minutes, and you may occasionally come across these or even older 63 minute discs. Since you do not have to put 80 minutes of audio on a CD, the record time can be significatnly decreased if you have a shorter recording.

Besides the record speed, a few variables can affect the record time positively or negatively:

1. Lead in and lead out time, also known as writing the Index or Title.

2. Feeding the machine, whther automated or manual.

3. Amount of data or audio written to the CD.

4. Top speed of the drive.