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 burn an MP3 CD

CD burners are one of the hottest selling pieces of hardware right now and for good reason. The drives are cheap, as are CD-R/RW discs, if you know where to look.

Note: This page shows you how to create a CD full of MP3s for playback on your computer or special players that handle MP3 CDs (console or portable).

Required Attention Span: 15 to 30 minutes
 
   Before you start, you'll need to gather these elements:
 
Follow These Simple Steps
Step One
Purchase and install a CD-R/RW drive. You'll also need to get your hands on either a CD-R or a CD-RW disc. The difference between the two is simple: CD-R means permanent, whereas CD-RW means rewriteable. Both can be created with the same CD-ROM drive, but only CD-Rs will play on a standard stereo. For this project, we recommend CD-RW, since the goal is computer playback.

Step Two
Collect the MP3s you want to use in one folder, then right-click the folder and choose Properties. Make sure the file size is under 650MB, which is the most music you can fit.

Step Three
Save a playlist that contains every song in the folder into that same folder (in Winamp, hit the PL button, choose Add Dir, and select the folder you want to put all the MP3s in). You might then randomize the playlist (in Winamp, go to PL/Misc/Sort List and select Randomize List). For more information on creating playlists with other programs, see the help file that comes with your MP3 player software. However you create the playlist file, make sure you burn it on the CD along with the MP3s.

Step Four
Open the software that came with your CD burner and choose data CD, not audio CD, as the style of burning, since you're creating a CD full of MP3s to play on your computer rather than a RedBook audio CD.

Step Five
Select everything in the MP3 folder in question (including the playlist or M3U file that you created) to be burned.

Step Six
Commence burning and step away from your machine; it's got to do all the work now. Pressing buttons or using another application will only help screw things up. When it's finished churning, delete those now-archived MP3 files from your hard drive to create more space, and label the CD case so that you know what the thing is.
 
Next Steps
  • These special CD players can play MP3 CDs.
  • Can't decide which CD burner to buy? Our CD-RW Top 5 will help you choose.
  • You can find blank CDs at office supply stores, computer stores, and electronics outlets. But if you prefer shopping online, look here for the best deals on the Web.
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