Here's a question about burning CDs:

"What software will allow you to burn CDs that have CD Text included? Not a separate file as in mixed-mode but the information that new CD changers read and display for CD title and song titles. I have been in touch with Digidesign and they say that there are no plans to implement this feature in Masterlist CD. Is there any other software that does this?"

Because the other inSync readers may not be aware, I first have to point out that in order to burn CD Text discs, not only compatible software, but also a CD Text compatible CD-RW is necessary. To that end, Sweetwater currently carries the Glyph 8 x 24 CD Recorder and today's new in stock product, the CDRW33. Software that's available for burning Red Book compliant CD Text audio discs is Emagic's Wave Burner 1.1 for Mac, or Easy CD Creator by Adaptec for the PC.

As to why a manufacturer like Digidesign wouldn't develop Masterlist for CD Text, or a similar feature, it mainly has to do with the state of the art, so to speak. First, you have to understand that the format called CD Text may have already seen its heyday. Sony Music had been the biggest proponent of the use of CD Text (and also CD Extra, one of the "official" names of the multisession format when you see it as a product on the shelf), but to go to Sony Music's website and search for CD Text now, you'd be lucky to find a mention of it even once. Sony's already removed all of the specifically CD Text related pages on their website, which could give an indication of where the pro audio and music industries are on this one, in general. Second, the audio manufacturers have R&D [Research & Development] dollars that they can use to devote their resources to adding features to existing software, often times to cure known incompatibilities. The majority of R&D, however, goes into developing new products and finding ways to implement new technologies within existing products (such as DVD-Audio, for instance, relevant in this case). So, for example, if a manufacturer is faced with a decision to put money and personnel to work, the choice between developing for yet another CD format or taking those resources and putting them into what's really going to be the bread and butter of the imminent future - 24-bit/96kHz audio on DVD-A discs - is an easy one. When it comes to R&D, the manufacturer's credo is, and rightfully should be, '"full speed ahead." This is great, because we the users of the technology are ultimately the benefactors. Perhaps - and this is merely speculation on my part - Digidesign is working on updating Masterlist to burn DVDs. Nevertheless, look for DVD-A to allow for graphical and multimedia opportunities with music that will greatly overshadow the capabilities of CDs. Of course, this doesn't mean that CDs are going to disappear anytime soon... in fact the popularity of CDs may not erode for quite some time (in part due to the fact that DVD players also play CDs). But as 24/96 audio and multichannel surround projects become more prevalent, the need for higher capacity media will be the impetus for the change to DVDs.