CD-R Audio or CD-R Music discs are for use with standalone recorders that hook up to your stereo, and the extra cost is a royalty to songwriters for the privilege of copying their CDs. These recorders check the blank CD's "Disc Application Code." If the blank is marked with the "for music" Application Code, recording is allowed. If not, recording is disabled. Computer-based recorders don't care about the "for music" code, so these more expensive blanks are unnecessary for use on a computer based recorder.