RE: 12 string growler's recommendation on an audio burner.

My impression is that they cost more and give you less control. Especially if you want to break your songs into isolated tracks.

The music CDs are a kind of gimmick to get you to pay more. They are no different in quality from data CDs (although there is a range in quality among all CDs). Certain CD players and writers are configured to only work with Music CDs which have some kind of digital stamp within, so you are more limited in the price range and selection. My car, my regular CD players, all play data CDs that have been recorded via computer.

I agree that your computer is tied up. It's a choice. Some folks have more than one computer.