Many recording applications that come standard with CD burners are enough to conquer the 'basics' of CD burning, but certainly, not all applications are created equal.

One might seek a more specific application engineered specifically for an 'all-in-one' approach, called CD Mastering Software.

Unlike 'run-of-the-mill' recording applications, CD mastering software is unique because it not only provides features which are absent from basic CD burning applications, but also provides the means to create CDs using a multitude of media formats.

Nero Burning ROM Ultra Edition 6 and Easy CD Creator (now called "Easy Media Creator 7") are well-known CD Mastering applications. Both programs are jam-packed full of features and are more than capable of meeting our criteria.  The caveat, however, is that both applications are pricey (retailing at the $99 dollar mark). And, although both programs provide an 'all-in-one' solution, mastering the software itself can prove to be disenchanting, especially for newbies.

Exploring Alternative Solutions

The purpose of this article is to provide information about simpler and easier to use programs for burning CDs instead of trying to give you blow by blow detailed instructions on HOW to do it.

Scouring the Internet for a freeware alternative can often lead to a dead end -- especially since many "free" solutions today either come bundled with unwanted piggy-back advertising software, or just plain fail to meet the our requirements.

Finding a Middle Ground

Because Nero Burning ROM and Easy CD / Media Creator set such a high standard, finding a single application that is as equally impressive and feature-packed proved to be a difficult task.  My search for such an application came to a halt, however, when I came across "CD Recording Suite 4" by Ashampoo.

What is CD Recording Suite 4?

In the great tradition of Ashampoo software, CD Recording Suite 4 makes it easy to create and copy data, video, audio and multi session CDs.

CD Recording Suite 4 is especially unique, because, unlike Nero or ECD, Ashampoo's interface is simplistic enough for newbies, yet robust to meet the demands of power users.

Features include:

• A simple 'drag and drop' interface: Select the files you want to burn, drop them into Ashampoo CD Recording Suite, and you're ready to burn. Ashampoo CD Recording Suite is newbie-friendly because it uses a familiar Windows Explorer-style interface.
   
• Burn Files and Folders: Since Ashampoo CD Recording Suite produces "multi session" CDs, you can add more files to your CD at a later time. This feature makes Ashampoo CD Recording Suite ideal for anyone who needs to make occasional backups of important data.
   
• Burn Music CDs: Copy a Music CD from one disc to another; create standard music CDs (playable in a regular CD player, such as home or car stereo), or create .MP3 CDs (playable in .MP3 CD players or on the computer). Ashampoo CD Recording Suite burns .WAV, .MP3, .FLAC and Ogg Vorbis files *directly* to audio CD format without the need for confusing "plug-in" software often required by other CD burning applications.
   
• Burn Movie CDs: Copy movie CDs (playable on the computer), burn movies as a Video CD [VCD] or Super Video CD [SVCD] (playable on most DVD players).  Note that VCD discs are only compatible with .MPEG movie files, and not .AVI, for example.
   
• Create and burn CD Images: supports .ashdisc, .CUE/BIN, and .ISO image files.  CD images are typically downloaded from the Internet and are often 1 file.  Burning a CD image onto disc is similar to copying an entire CD, without the need to copy 'file by file'.
   
• Copy a CD: Copy and format CD from one disc to another.
   
• Other features include: Set automatic burn speed; support for file names with up to 64 characters (including spaces); load and save project files, and Erase CD-RWs. Plus much more!

  Ashampoo CD Recording Suite 4: Thumbs up from users

  An overwhelming 93% of users voted in favor of Ashampoo CD Recording Suite 4, with over 280,000 downloads since March of 2004.

  Ashampoo CD Recording Suite 4: Supported CD Burners

  Ashampoo supports more than 1700 CD and DVD writers, including all SCSI and ATAPI compliant devices (which happens to be 99.99% of all CD burners on the market today). For a full list of supported burners (as of 8/19/2004), click here.

  Conclusion

  Many CD burning programs are overloaded with countless confusing functions, and yet, still do not offer all the features necessary to call it a true 'all-in-one' CD Mastering solution. Ashampoo CD Recording Suite 4, on the other hand, makes life easy by providing a powerful solution to meet the demands of enthusiastic computer users, yet simple enough to use for newbies.

  Ashampoo CD Recording Suite 4: Download

  Compared to similar burning applications priced at $99 dollars, Ashampoo CD Recording Suite 4 is a steal at the regular price of $29.99.