Audio Systems: CD vs. CD-R, duplication companies, issue cd

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I'm planning to issue some recordings of mine on CD-R. I've never understood the difference, in terms of quality of sound, durability and playability on various systems, between CDs and CD-Rs. I've been told there is none (other than the electronic structure) and so I wonder why record companies don't issue CD-Rs rather than CDs. Thank you.
ANSWER: CDRs are very expensive for a cd producer. WHY? Because the CDR must go through a manufacturing process to put down the groove tracks.  Also, the materials used are much more expensive.  And, the recording time is much greater; compared with a cd which is merely stamped and put out like cookies... so to speak.

The record companies produce the music cd at prices so low you would never believe it!

Finally, CDRs don't always play good in every player. They are more tempermental in the playback world.

Sound quality can be the same; the recording format and digital coding is all the same, or can be so.


C


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK, but why is it that if I want to get 300 CDs made, they say their minimum is 1000. If there is a more extensive process in making CD-Rs, why are they willing to make any number of CD-Rs, no minimum, whereas with CDs there is usually a minimum? (And I understand that the cost per CD comes out less than the cost per CD-R, but sometimes one wants a smaller run.) BTW, when I say "they"  I mean CD/CD-R duplication companies. Thanks/  

Answer
1,000 is a small quantity.  The big album producers run 100,000 or more.  Hit albums go much more.

Small run studios will produce on CDR very willingly.

CDs require premastering and masters in order to do the pressing, so the cost must be amortized over the quantity of discs being made.  So, depending on the economies of scale for a particular duplicator, they will set it where they can make it worth the efforts.

Thanks for a good question.  There are several trade magazines and newsletters that deal in these imponderables that you can read if you are interested.

Thanks for a good question.

C