cdrdao

Read a CD and write its contents to a file

$ cdrdao read-cd --device [/dev/cdrom] --read-raw [image.toc]

cdrdao <command> [options] [arguments]

Common commands include:
cdrdao read-toc [options] <toc-file>
cdrdao write [options] <toc-file>
cdrdao simulate [options] <toc-file>
cdrdao read-cd [options] <image-file>

--device <bus,id,lun> | </dev/sgX>
    Specifies the SCSI CD/DVD burner device to use. For example, 0,0,0 or /dev/sg0.

--speed <value>
    Sets the recording speed. Use 0 for maximum speed.

--driver <name>
    Specifies the CD-R/RW device driver to use (e.g., generic-scsi, ricoh-mp6200). Automatically detected in most cases.

--buffers <value>
    Sets the number of buffers to use for writing data. Higher values can improve performance.

--eject
    Ejects the disc from the drive after a successful operation.

--blank <type>
    Blanks a rewritable disc. <type> can be full or fast.

--cuefile <file>
    Specifies an input CUE sheet file for reading or writing, an alternative to a TOC file.

--read-raw
    When reading, reads raw disc data including subchannel information.

--force
    Forces an operation that might otherwise be prevented (e.g., overwriting files).

cdrdao is a powerful command-line utility for writing CD-R/RW discs using the Disc-At-Once (DAO) recording method. This mode writes the entire CD in a single continuous session, providing superior control over the disc's structure compared to Track-At-Once (TAO) recording. DAO allows for the creation of truly gapless audio tracks, precise placement of indices, and the inclusion of subcode information like ISRC and CD-TEXT. It operates by reading a TOC (Table Of Contents) file, which precisely defines the disc's layout, including track types, start/end points, and pre-gaps, and a corresponding BIN (binary image) file containing the actual raw data for all tracks. This makes cdrdao an indispensable tool for creating Red Book compliant audio CDs, exact duplicates of existing discs, or complex bootable CDs where precise layout and subcode control are critical.

cdrdao typically requires direct access to the SCSI generic (sg) device, which may require root privileges or proper udev rules. Its reliance on the TOC/BIN file format can have a learning curve compared to simpler burning tools. Support for specific drives and features may vary, and modern drives might not fully expose all DAO capabilities as older ones did. It is less actively developed than some other burning utilities.

Developed to fill a gap in Linux CD burning tools, cdrdao provided robust Disc-At-Once (DAO) recording, which was crucial for creating precise audio CDs and exact disc copies. It became a preferred tool for audio mastering and archival due to its ability to handle gapless tracks and subcode data accurately, a feature often lacking or limited in other available tools of its time (like cdrecord which focused on Track-At-Once).

wodim(1), genisoimage(1), cdparanoia(1), growisofs(1), mkisofs(1)