Regardless of content, the process of duplicating a CD remains the same. As matter of fact, the duplicating process of a CD is also used in the same manner for duplicating DVDs. Replication uses much the same process.

The term for replicating, copying or creating a new CD is burn or burning. The burning is performed using a CD burner. For DVDs we use a DVD burner. The term burn stems from the fact that a laser burns the information into the CD. Many people have encountered problems with regard to playback of burned CDs. Some skip, some do not even play at all. Some will play on one device but won’t in another. This issue is apparent in music, video or plain files CDs.

The duplication of CDs is done much faster simply because a stamp doesn't need to be made. The process of duplication can start as soon as the master or file(s) is received compared to replication where the process doesn't start for 5 - 7 days. During this time, a glass master and stamper are created. The glass master contains all the original information to be stored into the replication CDs while the stamper is used for labeling the copies.

For a personal computer, you can duplicate an audio or data CD in just a couple of minutes. To duplicate a CD, you must have a computer with a CD-RW drive. This drive copies the CD discs. Without this burner, you will not be able to copy or create discs at all.

If you have a DVD-RW drive, you can copy both DVD and CD discs. These drives are more cost effective because they are able to work on two different storage media formats. Normally, burners come with appropriate software to enable you to use the burner. Updated Windows Media Players are also equipped with software burn capabilities. If you are not happy with the accompanying software, there are lots of them available in computer stores around your area. You can definitely get them from the internet as well.

With a CD-RW drive, you can copy audio CDs, data CDs and even make SVCD copies.  The discs have a storage capacity of up to 700 MB (Mega Bytes) of data. Translated into music CD’s, that would amount to an average of 17 music tracks per disc.

Burning CDs is a wonderful way to preserve your original purchases. Armed with a copy, the original can be stored to prolong it’s lifespan. This is especially true for your timeless classics collection.