
TASCAM CD-RW4U 27
5 – After recording
This section deals with the actions taken after record-
ing: finalizing for CD-R and CD-RW discs, and erase 
operations for CD-RW discs.
Once finalized, CD-R discs are truly final—no more 
can be recorded on them. By contrast, CD-RW discs 
can be “unfinalized” using the CD-RW4U, i.e. their 
TOC can be deleted, and if there is space, further 
material can be recorded on them. Even if the disc is 
full, tracks can be erased following the unfinalize 
process, and new material can be recorded.
Finalizing discs
As has been explained earlier (“Finalizing” on 
page 12), in order for a disc to become a standard 
CD, it must have a Table of Contents (TOC) written 
to it. This process is known as finalizing. 
An unfinalized disc can always be distinguished on 
the CD-RW4U by the 
NO TOC
 indicator under the disc 
type on the display being lit when the disc is inserted.
To finalize a disc:
1With the unfinalized (recordable) disc 
loaded, and the unit in stop mode, press the 
FINALIZE key (D or C).
The display shows Finalize OK?.
If you do not want to proceed with the final-
izing process, press any other key (such as 
the STOP key).
2To start the finalizing process, press the 
MULTI DIAL control B or press the ENTER 
key 8.
3If finalization has been chosen, the display 
changes. The 
NO TOC
 indicator goes out, and 
the word TOC and the 
REC
 indicator flashes 
in the display. The unit starts counting down 
from a time shown on the display (about 1 
minute 10 seconds).
After finalization, a 
CD-RW NO TOC
 changes to 
CD-RW
 and a 
CD-R NO TOC
 changes to a 
CD
.
If the PLAY/PAUSE key is pressed while the finaliza-
tion process is taking place, playback starts as soon 
as the finalization process ends. If the OPEN/CLOSE 
key is pressed while the finalization process is taking 
place, the tray opens as soon as the finalization pro-
cess ends. Pressing any other key during the finaliza-
tion process has no effect.
NOTE
Although CD-R discs finalized on the CD-RW4U may be 
replayed on ordinary CD players, remember that finalized 
CD-RW discs may not play on CD players.
Unfinalizing CD-RW discs
If a CD-RW disc has been finalized, it is possible to 
erase the Table of Contents in the following way:
1With the finalized disc loaded and the unit in 
stop mode, press the ERASE key (D).
2If the display does not show the word 
Unfinalize?, turn the MULTI DIAL 
control B or use the  SKIP keys I until it is 
displayed.
If you do not want to proceed with the unfi-
nalizing process, press any other key (such as 
the STOP key).
3To start the unfinalizing process, press the 
MULTI DIAL control B or press the ENTER 
key 8.
4If unfinalization has been chosen, the 
NO TOC
indicator starts flashing in the display, and 
the word ERASE also starts flashing. The 
unit starts counting down from a time shown 
on the display (depending on the disc and 
material, this value will be between 50 sec-
onds and 1 minute 30 seconds).
After unfinalization, a 
CD-RW
 indicator 
changes to a 
CD-RW NO TOC
 indicator.