How to Put a Bunch of MP3's on a CD That Will Play In Any Stereo

by The HitSession MC

Your hard drive is full, but you've also been thinking that you'd like to be able to listen to your MP3's in your car or home stereo.  You've got two choices:

Option One: You could copy your MP3's to a CD as data, but then you'd only be able to play them in a computer or one of the new CD players that plays both traditional music CD's or MP3 data CD's.

Option Two: You can copy your MP3's to a CD as music and play them in any current audio CD player.

This simple "how-to" guide is going focus on option two: Creating an audio CD from MP3's.

Step 1: You've gotta have the right parts.  Here's the list:

• Windows 95 or 98.  Sorry Mac fans and Windows 2000/Me users.
• CD Recorder (burner).
• High Quality blank CD's.
• MusicMatch Jukebox Software.
• A bunch of MP3's.

Step 2: Make sure your CD recorder works.  If it doesn't, go bug someone else.  This article won't help. P

Purchase some high-quality blank CD's.  I've had the best luck with Maxell and TDK blank media (which figures, since they made the best blank cassette tapes).  Don't use cheap "bulk" CD's, such as Imation.  The bulk media is good for data and such, but I've tested them in various car and portable stereo CD players, and they don't work.

Step 3: If you don't already have a copy of MusicMatch Jukebox software, download it now.  I'm not getting paid to say this, but this is the most complete MP3 software available.  I use MusicMatch for all of my daily listening, burning, ripping, and streaming.  The free version works fine, but if you want faster CD burning and more advanced features, the "Plus" version will set you back $20.

Step 4: It's time to begin!  Stick a blank CD in your recorder.  Start MusicMatch.

I hope you've had time to use MusicMatch to play your MP3's.  If not, refer to this guide for some help.

Step 5: Load up MusicMatch with the songs you want copied onto your blank CD.  This is called a "playlist."  Remember, you are limited to approximately 72 minutes of audio, so you'll only be able to pick 15 to 20 songs, depending on their length (or one classical tune, they're all 70 minutes long!).  Don't worry about selecting too many songs, because MusicMatch will let you know and make you remove a song or two before the recording process begins.