How to Create a Compilation CD

Ready to get your groove on, but can't stand always having to switch discs? Sick of buying entire albums for just one or two songs you really like? If you have yet to take part in the personalized compact disc craze, it is about time you did.

Instructions

1. Decide what you want the mood of your disc to be. Think about whether you need music to work out to or to relax to. Perhaps what you're after is just simply a mix of your favorite songs. That works, too.

2. Make sure you have plenty of blank CDs on hand. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get it right.

3. Determine where you will find your music. If you are making your disc from CDs you already own or have access to, you are well on your way. Some people prefer to use digital formats, such as MP3. If you need to download music, some sites are free, and some have different kinds of purchase plans like 99 cents per song or unlimited downloads for a monthly fee.

4. Create the order of songs on your mixed CD. You might decide that you want peppy songs first and mellow songs later on. Since your CD is personalized, you can't mess this up. Do what makes sense to you.

5. Time to burn. If you are working with albums, you will have to be available to switch CDs for the burning program. If you are using all electronic files, you might be able to walk away and come back when your project is complete. Drag the files you want on your disc to the selected area. Make sure you have a blank CD in the drive. Under "File," select "Write CD." A new window should appear. Select "Start." Your CD drive will begin burning the songs onto the disc.

6. When your disc is finished, many programs will eject it from your CD drive.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unsure how your software works, take advantage of tutorials and help functions. Virtually all programs have them.

• Use software that lets you create customized labels, case inserts and other extras to make your mixed CD more you.

Resources

• Visit Napster for legal music downloading.
• Another legal source for downloading is iTunes.