I want to create a CD of 20 different conversations, with each one being a separate track. What sort of device do I need, that I can just plug in to the Mac and upload all the sound?
You'll need a microphone to record the conversations. You could use the built-in mic but it's a bit inflexible and can pick up any computer noises, a mic on a cable can be placed conveniently between the speakers and away from any extraneous noises.
Everything else is already on your Mac: Use Quicktime Player to make the recordings (it can record as well as play), import the files into your iTunes library, put them into a playlist and then burn the playlist to CD.
When you record, keep your audio levels high but not excessive to maintain quality. When you burn the disk, be sure to select Audio CD as the format so it will play in a normal CD player (the iTunes Help is very clear on all this).
Forget it lads; after sleeping on the original problem (not which device I need) I decided that it was insoluble. However, I do realise that I owe you an explanation for wasting your time, so: I am translating some children's books in French which were published in Belgium. I wanted to include a CD with each one to teach the pronunciation but!!!! Having dreamed about the books all last night I awoke to the realisation that I couldn't have them read aloud by a French person because I would upset the original author, who, being a Belgian pronounced certain words differently. And I could not have them read by a Belgian because people over here would think the pronunciation was wrong. So I scrubbed round the idea.
Eric Jervis 