Ideally suited to those who burn more than an occasional audio disc or file backup, RecordNow handles virtually every form of PC recording and supports numerous operations not usually available in this price range. While newcomers to the world of CD burning may initially find its text-based instruction manual confusing, and hard-core audio enthusiasts might miss a few sophisticated tools, RecordNow MAX is otherwise a fine, all-purpose workhorse that should please most power users.

If you have something to record, chances are RecordNow MAX will help you do it. It supports a variety of data formats, including bootable and system backup CDs, mixed-mode discs, and CD Extra music/data discs, the latter of which automatically position audio tracks separately from data tracks and thus allows you to hear your tunes without enduring long periods of silence or static in between. Music fans will use its audio capabilities to burn MP3 collections, accumulate "best of" compilations from standard audio CDs, and convert WAV and MP3 files to standard audio tracks playable in any conventional CD player. Video buffs will take advantage of its Video CD support to create MPEG-1 home movie anthologies. The program also offers drag-and-drop operation, although users will often be forced to open Windows Explorer in a separate pane in order to gain access to their files.

RecordNow MAX is not, however, a complete audio CD solution. Although it allows you to modify pretrack gaps, identify retail CD tracks (through Gracenote's impressive online CDDB Music Recognition Service), and print disc menus, it skimps in other areas. It provides no control over volume and therefore produces uneven playback loudness when recording from multiple sources. It does not offer audio effects such as reverb or delay, nor does it provide a CD and jewel case label-creation utility. And rather than fashioning the program with an integrated CD player, developer Stomp opted instead to rely on already-installed software such as Microsoft's Windows Media Player. This makes the whole operation of monitoring your recordings slightly less convenient, particularly when using DJ Burn where you can't listen to your selections until you've completed each recording stint.

Despite its lack of audio CD refinement, RecordNow MAX is otherwise a powerful and multifaceted program that consistently performs as advertised. It integrates seamlessly with the external software it relies upon and becomes downright easy to use after you've spent an hour or two behind the controls. Computer users who expect to burn a variety of formats or a tremendous volume of a single recording would be well advised to give this one a look.--Gordon Goble