How to Design Your First Music CD
Mixed tapes of the 80s became mixed CDs with the invention of CD burners. Now you can take all your music with you on a CD to play in your car or CD player. Music lovers appreciate music CDs as gifts because they contain all the music that they enjoy. By designing your first music CD, you learn how to pick songs according to a theme, arrange songs to hold the attention of the listener and even add cover art to your CD once finished.
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Instructions
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Choose songs that compile your interests or focus on the music selections of the recipient. Your grandmother may not want to listen to a whole CD of death metal, so pick songs that relate to her likes. You can also base your song selections on a theme. For instance, you may want to give a music CD to your partner with a romantic theme, so you add songs like "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles or "This Kiss" by Faith Hill.
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Arrange your tracks in a playlist before you burn onto the CD. Order your songs from 1 to 12 in the selection you plan to burn on the CD. You want to open your first music CD with songs that harness the attention of your listener. Build or slow momentum throughout your playlist. Most CDs allow for up to 12 to 16 songs depending on the size of the MP3. You can pick an order of songs to express a message or certain emotion.
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Organize your songs in a playlist on your computer and listen to the tracks. If you find yourself getting bored with a song, exchange for another until you have the perfect arrangement. For Mac and Windows users, you can use iTunes to listen to your playlist. You can also use Wynamp or Windows Media Player.
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Burn the songs onto a blank CD-R once finished with the arrangement. As of 2010, most computers come with a CD drive and burning tools. For Mac and Windows operating systems, you can use iTunes to burn your CD. Windows Media Player and Wynamp also allow you to burn CDs.
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Draw cover art on your CD's label. Blank CD brands come with white or light colored label surfaces that allow you to draw art on top of the CD. Create your design following the theme of your music. Choose a color scheme and decorate with symbols from the songs, such as flowers or birds. You can even title your mixed CD cover art. Use permanent markers to draw your designs.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not place stickers or paint on the CD surface, as this adds too much weight to the CD and disturbs playback.
References
- Photo Credit headphones image by Nevena Kozekova from Fotolia.com
