8-1-1: Audio CD Recording Tips for ECD 4.02, Dell OEM ( Author: Ted N. )
Audio CD Recording Tips: -Ted N.
For Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4.02, Dell OEM
Learn Before You Burn: Before Recording a CD-R or CD-RW Disc it makes sense to understand the process. I strongly suggest reading your Adaptec Software User’s Guide and any CD-R/RW Drive Documentation that came with your Computer. That way you will understand the Drive and Software capabilities. For Dell users Adaptec guide is found in: Dell Documents>System Information>
Accessory>Adaptec CD-Recording User’s Guide. Your Drive information is found in: Dell Documents>Storage> your CD-R/RW Drive should be listed in one of the choices.
One useful Part of the Adaptec User’s Guide is the Software Reference Table found in the Introduction. This table displays how each Program works with CD-R and CD-RW Discs.
Do not use a Compressed or Partitioned Hard Drive.
Adaptec Software does not do well in these environments.
Defragment your Hard Drive: It is recommended by Adaptec that you Defragment your Hard Drive every 7 days. Make sure there are no other programs in use, and that no other Tasks are
running in the background. Set your Screen Saver to "none".
Turn-off other Programs when using Adaptec:
* Disable your Anti-Virus Software.
* Select your Screen Saver to "None".
* Turn off Programs running in the Background: There are always programs running in the background of your computer that you are not aware of. Too many programs in the background can cause buffer underruns and other errors when Recording. Turn off Adaptec Direct CD when Easy CD Creator or CD Copier is being used. To close programs: Press
Ctrl | Alt | Delete keys together. When the "close program" menu appears, with the mouse highlight Direct CD and select "End Task". Remember not to close out Explorer, Systray, and the Adaptec program in use. You may also want to close out SideWinder Game Controller Software (Swtrayv4) and Works Calendar alarm (Wkcalrem) if you have these running. To know what some of those other programs in the "close program" menu are, write them down on a piece of paper. Go to: Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information. In System Information click the "+" sign next to "Software Environment" and then click once "Running Tasks". Most of the programs in the "close program" menu are listed here. If there are other programs that you would like to close before Recording, go back to the "close program" menu via Ctrl | Alt | Delete keys to "End Task", DO NOT change anything in the System Information Files.Make sure that Source Disc and Recording Disc are clean, dust and fingerprint free.
Do not Record with any CD-R or CD-RW Disc that has a Paper Label on it.
When recording, a disc with a label may spin unbalanced and cause errors. Always affix labels to Discs after recording. A label that is half the thickness of a CD Disc may cause errors.
Run the System Tests before your first Recording to check System Compatibility. In Easy
CD Creator from the Tools menu, select "System Tests". Choose Audio Extraction Test. Follow command prompts and check each Drive. Audio Extraction Test will determine the rate digital audio is extracted from each Drive. The Systems Tests should be done again if there is a Change to any of the following: Temporary File Location, Different CD-R/RW, Zip, or CD-ROM Drive used, System Configuration settings.
When Recording your first few CDs select the "Test" or "Test & Copy" Option from the Create CD advanced Record Menu. This way you can be certain all is functioning properly. If an error does occur while in the "Test" Phase of Writing to a CD-R, the CD-R may still be usable, if however an error occurs in the Copy phase of the writing process, you have a new Coaster.
Tips if you should experience Buffer Underruns:
* Check if CD-R Drive and CD Drive are both configured to permit disconnect.
To check go to: Start>Settings>Control Panel>System. In System Properties Click Device Manager Tab. Click the "
+" sign next to the CD ROM icon. If you have two Drives, both should appear. Click once on the first Drive. With the Drive name highlighted go to the bottom left of the screen and select the "Properties" button. In Properties select the "Settings" tab. Under the Settings Options make sure both "Disconnect" and "DMA" have check marks in the white boxes next to those options. Make certain your other drive is like-wise marked.* Try Recording at a Slower Speed.
Recording CD to Digital audio requires more streaming bits per second than recording Data.
* Increase space in Temporary file directory if Recording from Hard Drive.
* Set Hard Drive read ahead optimization to "none".
Try this as a last Resort. Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>System>Performance>below in Advanced Settings box click: File System>Hard Disk and set "Read ahead optimization" to "None".
Recording to 80 minute CD-R Discs with Easy CD Creator 4.0 :
Easy CD Creator is automatically set for Recording 74 minute CDs. To record to an 80 minute CD, do the following: When in the Easy CD Creator Menu, point using the mouse to the Bottom-Left Grey Menu bar where it reads "Estimated Time available for additional audio tracks …m:s". Double-click on that Menu bar, another menu should appear giving you the option of recording with 74 minute or 80 minute CDs. Make sure you check mark the "Estimate based on 80 Minutes" option. Note: if you attempt to record 80 minutes of audio without this option checked an error will occur. When using Adaptec CD Copier, the CD format from 74 to 80 minutes will change automatically.
When Labeling CD Discs:
* NEVER use a Ball Point pen to write on a CD Disc. The point may damage the Disc surface.
* Do not use alcohol-based pens as they may eat thru the Disc’s top surface layer.
* Use a Felt-Tip Pen to write on CD Disc.
* Use Labels designed specifically for Recordable CDs.
A word about Reservation Conflicts, Locked Drives
(1st Time Dell users DON’T insert that formatted CDRW Disc yet!)
The Verbatim CD-RW Disc that comes with a Dell CD-R/RW Drive is pre-formatted. If you insert a formatted CD-RW Disc into the CD-R/RW Drive it is automatically reserved for use by Direct CD. You will not be able to use Easy CD Creator or CD Copier. You may get a message stating, "this Drive is reserved for Direct CD". To unlock the Drive Eject the Disc. If the disc will not eject by use of the Drive’s eject button go to the Direct CD Icon (bottom-right near the clock icon), then right-click the Direct CD icon, when the option menu appears click "eject". This should clear the Drive. Then close out the Direct CD program using the end task menu using
Ctrl|Alt|Delete keys. You must then use a different Disc that is not formatted.| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-2: ECDC 5 Platinum ( Author: Steve S )
ECDC 5 Platinum (http://www.roxio.com/en/products/ecdc/ecdcupgrades.html)
Roxio (formerly Adaptec) has modified the user formats from previous versions with ECDC 5 Platinum. You're given multiple options, which can be confusing when first using this software. Unfortunately, ECDC 5 is not currently available in an OEM version.
You must uninstall all previous versions of ECDC through the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs before installing version 5. Roxio will give you step-by-step procedures upon request. You should close all programs running in the background (except SysTray and Explorer), disable your Screen Saver and Anti-Virus software.
During the installation procedure you can choose not to install Direct CD by selecting a custom installation. Earlier versions allowed you to uninstall Direct CD but ECDC 5 does not have this option. ECDC 5 will install to run at Startup and I would suggest you remove it from startup by use of the System Configuration Utility (msconfig) to preserve resources. I drag the ECDC and Direct CD icons to my quick launch task bar for convenience.
Upon opening ECDC 5 you’re immediately faced with several options that will lead you to even more decisions... Study the options, test and experiment.. I've made more than one "coaster" just by testing while establishing experience of different recording software. At approximately US $.50 ea it's better to learn by experimentation than during a recording session and chance losing all the preparation leading up to the session.. Learn to use and rely on the Help menu for all programs of ECDC 5. Most of your questions will be answered if you learn to use this feature.
Making a Music CD
Click on "Making a Music CD". You will be confronted with your first decision--which of the three options do I choose?
Sound Stream:
This option is probably the most flexible of all. I'll list only a few of the features of Sound Stream.1. Copy a Music CD without a playlist. (Not my first choice for making a CD)
2. Extract individual tracks from multiple CDs and other sources and record to
your Hard Disc Drive (hdd). (This is the important feature of Sound Stream)
3. Set up a Music Library on your hdd.
4. Record your LP's and Cassettes to your hdd by the
use of Spin Doctor and the Line In on your sound card.
5. Provides an equalizer, sound effects and editing capabilities.
Tip: Use Sound Stream for all recording to your hdd. You can add audio equalization, sound effects and perform audio editing prior to recording to your hdd.
Music CD Project:
This option will be preferred by most because you can create and save a playlist and use transitional effects in creating your CD. The option is similar to earlier versions.1. Copy a Music CD with a playlist. (I prefer this option)
2. Select music tracks from multiple sources to add/or drag to a playlist.
3. Leave a recording session open for adding tracks later or you can close the
session to play the CD in home or auto CD Players.
4. Add transition from one track to another and fade effects.
5. Convert music formats (.mp3, .wma, .wav)
6. Performs a Data Transfer Rate Test and Audio Extraction Rate Test on command.
Note: It becomes obvious that there is a lot redundancy in ECDC 5 and you will have to decide the method that will work for you.
Music MP3 Project
: Good for those who have MP3 players and/or need storage capacity.1. Convert all your music to the MP3 format and create an MP3 CD. This CD
can be played on your CD-ROM and some home CD players that can play MP3s.
It's also a way to store your music on a CD and not take valuable hdd
space.
2. Select music tracks from multiple sources and drag to the MP3 playlist similar
to the Music CD
3. Convert music formats (.mp3, .wma, .wav)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’ll discuss making a customized CD using Sound Stream. You can select tracks from multiple CD's and/or music from your hdd. Other features of ECDC 5 involving creating a music CD are similar to earlier versions.
Tip: I strongly recommend that you record first to your hdd. You can create a CD from the music on your hdd with a better chance of success and avoid creating the dreaded "coaster". You could use Sound Stream to perform this function and then create the CD by using the Music CD Project. You must record to the hdd first if you have a Combo DVD/CD-ROM/CD-RW.
Tip: Most of the Dell Talk regulars will advise to close all programs (except SysTray and Explorer), disable Screen Saver and AV software prior to recording. I agree with this line of thinking also. The tips provided by others in this section should be reviewed before recording.
Open ECDC 5 and click on Making a Music CD. Click on Sound Stream. Insert a prerecorded Music CD in your CD-ROM. that you want to copy tracks from (You can also use your CD-RW or Combo Drive.)
Select the source of music you want to record: From the CD, your Music Library or another file on your hdd or any combination
If you've selected the CD as your source all the tracks should be listed in the left pane.. You can name each track manually (Right click-rename) or download the track names and artist of commercially produced CDs by clicking on "Name Tracks". You must be on the Internet for this feature.
If you've selected to record from music on your hdd, you will be prompted to browse for the file. Once you've located the file, click "Select Folder" and the music tracks will appear in the left pane.
Selecting the Music Library as your source will be similar to above. The "choose" button is the same as select.
Add the selected tracks to the record list: You can highlight and select individual tracks or select all tracks by clicking the appropriate button. The tracks will appear in the right pane. Remember, you can insert another CD to extract tracks and further customize your Music Library and eventually your CD.
Select the destination where you want to record: You have the same three options as you did for the source. You could record direct to a blank CD, to a file on your hdd or to your Music Library.
You're now ready to record the selected music to your Music Library on the hdd. You can preview any track by double clicking the track in your right pane or click Play. You will not be able to record while playing any tracks.
Once this recording is successful, you will have all your selected tracks in a compressed .wma format in your Music Library on your hdd. You are ready to create a CD.
Creating a CD from your Music Library or other files on your hdd.
Using Music CD Project.
Open ECDC 5 and select Music CD Project. Browse for the music files in your Music Library or wherever you may have stored them on your hdd. You can Add or drag selected tracks to the playlist or Select All from the Edit menu. Add transition effects and enter the CD Title and Artist. You can Save the Playlist at this point
Insert a blank CD into your CD-RW or Combo drive. You should use unformatted CD-R media for audio recordings. You can preview a track by highlighting the track and click Preview.. You will be unable to record while previewing any tracks.
When ready to create your CD, click Record.
Before beginning the recording to your CD you will have to select:
Track-at-Once: The laser stops between recordings allowing for transitional effects. I prefer this method of recording.
OR
Disc-at-Once: The laser is continuous and there will be no gap between tracks.
Don't Finalize: Leaves the session open to add more tracks later. You will not be able to play this CD in most CD Players until the session is closed.
OR
Finalize Session. Don't Finalize CD: Finalizes the session so you will be able to play this CD in Home or Auto CD Players. Does not close the CD so you can add more sessions later. However, only the first session will play on most Home and Auto Players.
OR
Finalize CD: Finalizes the session and CD. Plays in virtually all Home and Auto players and any PC CD-ROM.
Record Options: Select Record CD---- Fastest recording if you have confidence in your
CD-RW and media
Test Only---------------To test your CD-RW and media without
recording
Test and Record CD--Preferred
Record your CD
Tip: If you didn't Save the Playlist before, now is your last chance. I would also create a CD Label at this time. I have visited friends who recorded Music CDs but failed to make a label. They spend more time than necessary just trying to identify a CD they want to hear. Use an approved CD Label. DO NOT use a small label like an address label or write on the disc.. The CD could become damaged or unbalanced and cause a vibration in the drive...
Using Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor is a component of Sound Stream that will allow you to record all those "obsolete" Cassettes, LPs and even 45s to a CD. You should first record to your hdd and then use Music CD Project to record to CD. You can record direct to a CD similar to DAO recording if desired but not recommended. When recording to the hdd you can cue the source to establish your tracks. You can clean up noises on your old Cassettes and LPs to some degree. Spin Doctor allows you to use all the features of Sound Stream
You will need a cable to connect your Cassette, Turn Table and/or Stereo Player to the Line In on the Sound Card of your PC. ECDC 5 comes with a "Y" adapter cable with two RCA Phono Jacks and one Stereo Mini plug. Connect the source to the RCA Phono jacks and connect the Mini Plug to the Sound Card. This "Y" adapter cable can also be obtained from any Radio Shack or Electronic Retailer.
To record from the Sound Card Line In you must ensure that the Windows Volume Controls are properly adjusted. In Win98 double click on the Volume control in your System Tray and ensure Line Volume is enabled and Line Recording (Options/Properties) is selected.
Other Capabilities
(http://www.roxio.com/en/products/ecdc/ecdc5featurecomp.html)I've not even mentioned creating a Data CD, CD Copier, Direct CD, Take Two, and Creating a Video CD. ECDC 5 is a powerful software and after some familiarity, very easy to use. Remember to use the Help menu for valuable information on ECDC 5 and locate the answer to most of your questions.
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-3: MusicMatch 5 (Author: Robin K )
MusicMatch Jukebox 4
If you are having any problems (or even if you are not) I would advise you download the FREE MusicMatch 5. Even the free version, now that it has CD Quality recording, represents a considerable upgrade. Either install it on top of your existing Jukebox, or uninstall before installing. I have used both methods without a problem. Either way, your saved Library, playlist etc. will be preserved.
FREE MusicMatch Jukebox 5
The difference between the free download and MusicMatch Jukebox Plus (apart from $30) is that "Plus" gives faster CD burning, enhanced Graphic Equalizer, CD jewel case insert printing and, apparently, even faster CD ripping and encoding. I have the "Plus" version – it is the FREE version with the features mentioned unlocked with a key number obtained when you purchase.
Audio CD playing – If you make MM your default audio CD player, and you uninstall it, the "AutoPlay" feature can be lost to other devices. To reinstate "AutoPlay" I suggest you uninstall the CD Player that was installed with Windows (My Computer> Control Panel> Add/Remove Programs> Windows Set-up tab> highlight Multimedia and click Details> uncheck CD Player box and click OK). Now do the reverse and install it again using your Windows CD. It should make itself the default player with "AutoPlay". If you subsequently make another player the default player, "AutoPlay" should be transferred. NOTE. If MusicMatch is already open, an inserted audio CD does not AutoPlay. From the Playlist window you must click open, then CD Player, then highlight the CD and click Play.
Saved CD playlist – When you play an audio CD you can edit the Playlist by deleting and moving tracks in the playlist window. If this playlist is saved, when it is played (the CD must be inserted, of course) you will notice that the tracks shown in the playlist window are "Track 02" etc. (corresponding with the CD track numbers). It is normal that the track titles are not saved in a CD playlist.
CDDB – If this option is checked (Options> Settings> CDDB> enable CDDB CD lookup service) the CD details should be downloaded if you are online, and the track titles displayed in the Playlist window. If the CD tracks are just shown as "Track 01" etc, either the details are not available on that CD, or the CD tracks have been falsely attributed at some stage in the cache. Go to C:\Windows\cdplayer.ini – if any CD has its tracks listed as "Track 01" etc., delete it completely and save the alteration before exiting. If you remove the CD from the CD-ROM and re-insert it, you could find, as I did, that the full track information would now be downloaded and displayed.
Converting Files (wav – mp3, etc). The best advice I can give is to read "Covert Music Files" in the Help index.
CD Burning – To create a CD from Playlist (or from other files) just click CD-R in the Playlist window. Import additional tracks with "add song". Edit CD by unchecking/checking/repositioning the tracks. Always use an unformatted CD-R for both Audio and Digital recording. I have tested the "CD-ROM disc space" to 1Mb and found it to be trustworthy. Although I am someone who abandoned recording "on the fly" using my CD-ROM because of buffering problems – with this program I selected "record files directly to CD" with perfect results. How nice not to have to make and store .wav files!
Create an MP3CDR - To use Music Match to create an mp3 cdr
you click on Options-->Create CD from Playlist. Choose "Data" as your format
type. Click "Add Song" to add songs to your playlist, then select the songs.
Click "Create CD".
Visualisations – the only downloadable visualisation on offer from MusicMatch at the time of writing is the "Classic Spectrum Analyser". When configured well and, for example, positioned on top of the player (I like it dragged full screen width), it does its job nicely. However, some of you will know that Winamp has some spectacular visualtions – by far and away the best in my opinion being "G-force". It is possible to download it and use it with MusicMatch. Open C:\Program Files\MusicMatch – and make a new folder "Winamp". Open this folder and make another folder called "Plugins". Go to the Winamp site and find "G-force" under Skins & Plugins and download it. To do this do the opposite of what you normally do – select the "run this program from its current location" radio button. When the download is complete answer "yes" when asked if you want to install. Browse for the new Winamp folder (NOT the Plug-ins folder). G-force will, however, install itself inside the Plugins folder. Now, open MusicMatch Jukebox> Options> Visualisations> Select Visualisation> Directories> Add> browse for C:\Program Files\Music Match\Winamp\Plugins> OK. G-force should appear in the "visualisations found" window. Select G-force from the "select visualisation" drop down menu. I size G-force to fill the screen below a full-width MusicMatch Jukebox. Maximising the G-force window gives a "full screen" display. Pressing the Esc key returns it to normal. NOTE..If you want to avoid the "letterbox" effect when viewing "full screen", open the G-Force Prefs text file (in the Plugins folder). Change MaxX value to 640, and MaxY value to 480. If you have any problem with this Prefs file just delete it. It will be re-made in its install condition the next time you use G-force. Play something nice…and sit back. Now, isn’t that beautiful?
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-4: MusicMatch Jukebox 6 (Author: Robin K )
MusicMatch Jukebox 4 or 5
If you are having any problems (or even if you are not) I would advise you to download the FREE MusicMatch 6. Either install it on top of your existing Jukebox, or uninstall before installing. I have used both methods without a problem. Either way, your saved Library, Playlists etc. will be preserved.
FREE MusicMatch Jukebox 6
The difference between the free download and MusicMatch Jukebox Plus is that "Plus" gives faster CD burning, even faster CD ripping and encoding, jewel case and CD label printing etc. I have the "Plus" version – it is the FREE version with the features mentioned unlocked with a key number obtained when you purchase. Unfortunately I use "Pressit" CD labels – and MusicMatch have omitted this brand from its CD label options!
Audio CD playing – If you make MM your default audio CD player, and you uninstall it, the "AutoPlay" feature can be lost to other devices. If this happens to you, to reinstate "AutoPlay" I suggest you uninstall the CD Player that was installed with Windows (My Computer> Control Panel> Add/Remove Programs> Windows Set-up tab> highlight Multimedia and click Details> uncheck CD Player box and click OK). Now do the reverse and install it again using your Windows CD. It should make itself the default player with "AutoPlay". If you subsequently make another player the default player, "AutoPlay" should be transferred.
CD Playlists – CD playlists cannot be "saved" in the latest Jukebox. The order of play cannot be changed either. It appears that the only editing that is permitted is "deleting" tracks (remove from playlist).
CDDB – If this option is checked (Options> Settings> CDDB> enable CDDB CD lookup service) the CD details should be downloaded if you are online, and the track titles displayed in the Playlist window. If the CD tracks are just shown as "Track 01" etc, either the details are not available on that CD, or the CD tracks have been falsely attributed at some stage in the cache. Go to C:\Windows\cdplayer.ini – if any CD has its tracks listed as "Track 01" etc., delete it completely and save the alteration before exiting. If you remove the CD from the CD-ROM and re-insert it you could find, as I did, that the full track information would now be downloaded and displayed.
Converting Files (wav – mp3, etc). Details on using this feature are found by going to Help> MusicMatch Jukebox help> Search tab> type in "convert"> List Topics> Display
CD Burning – To create a CD from Playlist (or from other files) just click CD-R button below the Playlist window. Import additional tracks with "add song". Edit CD by un-checking/checking/repositioning the tracks. Always use an unformatted CD-R for both Audio and Digital recording. I have tested the "CD-ROM disc space" to 1Mb and found it to be trustworthy. Although I am someone who abandoned recording "on the fly" using my CD-ROM because of buffering problems – with this program I selected "record files directly to CD" with perfect results. How nice not to have to make and store .wav files! I always select "write CD only" and don’t select "2 sec gap" (most tracks have gaps at the end anyway – but I have used 2sec gaps in the past successfully)
Data Recording – To make a "data" CD (usually mp3s), select the "data" radio button. Use an unformatted CD-R in the usual way. Data CDs are an excellent way to store music files (200 or more .MP3 tracks per CD). To play in MusicMatch - File> Open> Double click CD/DVD-ROM drive letter> select required tracks and "Play".
Visualisations – There is now an added selection of visualisations to download. "G-Force" is my favorite.
Recording other audio – Many people ask if it is possible to record audio from the Internet radio / DVD / Video (MPEG, RM, AVI etc), games etc. With Music Match you can do this in either .WAV or .MP3. format.
In volume control (double click speaker icon next to clock)> Options> Properties> Recording (radio button), make sure "Wave Out Mix" box is ticked. Note that, depending on your sound card and/or drivers, this could be called something else - "Loop Back", for example. Click OK> check "Wave Out Mix" (or equivalent) box and adjust volume slider (about "one-third" does it for me). Now, in MusicMatch – Options> Settings> Recorder tab> select recording quality (MP3 or WAV). From "Recording Source" drop down menu select "System Mixer". MusicMatch can now record everything heard through the computer speakers, using the "record" function in the usual way. When you stop recording the file will be found in the chosen "Song Directory" (Options> Settings> Recorder tab> Song Directory). Remember, .MP3 files are ten times smaller than .WAV files!
Splash Screen – If you want to get rid of the annoying splash screen and intro music – go to C:\ Program Files\ MusicMatch\ MusicMatch Jukebox\ and delete files "mmjbstart.wav" and "splash.bmp".
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-5: Winamp and mp3 (Author: Egbert Hidding )
Using Winamp to convert mp3 to .wav
Download Winamp It is freeware
now.
This is how you can do it:
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-6: Winamp (Author: Mike Ellis )
I recommend getting Winamp. I like several of the features,
especially converting to wav.
Here's a couple of hints:
Good Luck,
Mike
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
Before burning a CD, it is usually a very
good idea to shut down all non-essential programs that may be running. In my case, I
always shut down Virus Scan, Task Scheduler, Virus Scan Scheduler and I disconnect from
the Internet. I use a little program called WINTOP, which displays all running programs so
I can be sure to shut them all down. WINTOP sometimes shows some programs are running that
Ctrl-Alt-Delete fails to disclose. As always, leave Explorer and System Tray running. I
find it crucial to be sure, DIRECT CD is not running when I burn a CD using EASY CD
Creator. I have even gone so far as not installing DIRECT CD, so I can be sure it does not
interfere with EASY CD Creator. When I do need DIRECT CD, I can always install it for the
time I need it. Drastic? Maybe...but over the past month, we have burned 50 Audio CDs in a
row without a failure, sometimes using blanks as cheap as 40 cents. I prefer Nashua 80
min. Audio CD blanks. I installed an HP 8250. I have the hard drive (moved it up to the
lower 3.5 bay) and Zip drive on the Primary IDE cable and put the CDRW on the Secondary
IDE along with the DVD. All drives set to Cable Select. I cannot remember the last time I
had a failure burning a CD.
Ken Englund
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
First converting mp3 files to .Wav files before burning a disk? Well this is what I have found to work. Mind you, there is no clear "here's how you do it" out there that I could find. I used Music Match. I had lots of mp3 files downloaded from Napster. Like many people out there I wanted to create my own disks. Adaptec won't even "see" the files to burn unless they are .WAV. So what to do? Convert them from mp3 to .WAV I used Musicmatch (I said that right?) Go to file; convert; source data type (mp3) destination data type (.wav) ; select the song titles you want to convert. Once converted open Adaptec Easy CD Creator and make your play list. I used the wizard and followed through to a perfect sounding CD that plays on any player. All that and I'm an amateur. You can pass that info on if you need, to to people who ask. Or they can e-mail me and I'll do my best to walk them through. Cu later
Bob
Robert Almeida <ralme@mediaone.net>
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-9: LPs, Cassettes, etc to CD-Rs ( Author: Steve_S )
A frequently asked question and this deals with Spin Doctor from Adaptec's Easy CD 5 Platinum, thanks Steve !
Spin Doctor is a component of Sound Stream that will allow you to record all those "obsolete" Cassettes, LPs and even 45s to a CD. You should first record to your Hard-drive and then use Music CD Project to record to CD. You can record directly to a CD similar to DAO recording if desired but not recommended. When recording to the Hard-drive you can cue the source to establish your tracks. You can clean up noises on your old Cassettes and LPs to some degree. Spin Doctor allows you to use all the features of Sound Stream
You will need a cable to connect your Cassette, Turn Table and /or Stereo Player to the Line-In on the Sound Card of your PC. ECDC 5 comes with a "Y" adapter cable with two RCA Phono-Jacks and one Stereo Mini plug. Connect the source to the RCA Phono-Jacks and connect the Mini Plug to the Sound Card. This "Y" adapter cable can also be obtained from any Radio Shack or Electronic Retailer.
To record from the Sound Card Line-In you must ensure that the Windows Volume Controls are properly adjusted. In Win98 double click on the Volume control in your System Tray and ensure Line Volume is enabled and Line Recording (Options / Properties) is selected.
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-10: Rippin` LP`s & Burnin` CD`s ( Author: JimiMack)
Rippin’ LP’s & Burnin’ CD’s
So you want to take those LP’s you have & put them on to a CD (if you don’t know what an LP is, you can skip this). Let me tell ya how I do it and maybe even give you a little information along the way. Please note that I am in no way endorsing any of the software or equipment I mention here.
First you will need to find your turntable & blow the dust off of it. Also if you haven’t replaced your stylus since 1981 it might be wise to do so before you start recording.
The next thing you need to look at is the soundcard that is in your computer, most people overlook this step. I know I did at first & it took me awhile to figure out that my el cheapo soundcard just wasn’t up to the task. The things you need to be concerned with are "Wow & Flutter" and also "THD" (total harmonic distortion). The lower these numbers are, the less distortion you will be introducing into your recording. I finally settled on the Sound Blaster Live! Card. Now I’m not saying that this is the best card out there, but it had nice specs & fit within my budget.
Now you will need to purchase the software that will allow you to record through your
soundcard. When I started to record my LP’s the only software that was out there was
Easy CD Creator and since change is a "bad thing" I am still using Easy CD
Creator, version 5. Please note that I have read some articles on Easy CD Creator 5 &
the problems it is causing with Windows 2000, so if you are using the Win2000 operating
system do your homework first. I am using Windows ME & everything works just fine. The
OEM version of Easy CD Creator will not work; it lacks the ability to record from the line
in of your soundcard. You ask, "What about Nero?" & "I heard that
Music-Match Jukebox works well." They very well may but I have never used them so I
can’t comment.
While you are out getting that software pick yourself up a "Y" cable. This is a
cable that has two female RCA jacks on one end & a male mini plug on the other. You
can find one at Radio Shack, CompUSA, Best Buy or just about any other store that sells
computer stuff.
We’re almost there, so hang in there. Let’s get things set-up & ready to record your first LP. Depending on how far away your stereo is from your computer you may want to move one or the other closer. Depending on how your house is wired (electrically) & the length of RCA cable needed you may develop a hum while trying to record. In my previous house I had about a 35 foot RCA cable connecting my stereo to my computer. In my current house I have to move my receiver & turntable to my computer. It has something to do with my family room & computer room being on different ground circuits, I don’t know, it’s too technical for me. All I know is that when I’m running a cable from here to there I get a hum.
Anyway, since a turntable doesn't have a built in pre-amp you will have to hook it up to your receiver or a pre-amp and then hook a line out from your receiver (aux or tape output works well) to the line in on your sound card using the "Y" cable you picked up earlier. If you are hooking up your stereo Tape Deck you can probably hook it directly to your sound card, most decks have a built in pre-amp. Don’t try to hook up that old tape deck that your parents gave you through the headphone jack, it won't work and if you do manage to get it to work it will sound really, really bad. Your recordings will only be as good as the equipment you are using.
Now let’s get to the fun stuff. As far as recording goes, you will have to find what
works best for you. Easy CD Creator has a program called Spin Doctor. This program will
also "clean" some of the noise from your LP while recording. Now it won’t
make that nasty skip on your favorite song go away, it will take some of the noise out.
The CD that you burn will still sound like an album, you just won’t have to flip it
over. The way I do it is to record the whole side of an album as one track; they are
recorded as WAV files so make sure you have enough disk space. It is not uncommon for the
WAV file for one side of an album to take up 20Mb of disk space. Also more RAM is better,
I would not suggest doing this with 64Mb of RAM. 128MB will probably work well; I’ve
got 256Mb.
Since I have a SB Live! Card, I also have Wave Studio, which is bundled one of the bundled software programs. Easy CD Creator comes with the Sound Editor program, this program also works well, and I just prefer Wave Studio. I use Wave Studio to split & edit my tracks, this way I can fade the end to silence & remove noise from the beginning of the track to get rid of some extra noise that Spin Doctor didn't. Also between tracks all I hear is silence and not snap, crackle and pop. When I'm done splitting and editing, I'll run the tracks through Easy CD Creator’s Equalizer & Realizer functions to adjust the sound to my liking.
One other thing I’d like to throw in here, you know those MP3 files that you "borrowed" from the Internet. You can handle them just like your LP recordings. I use Music-Match Jukebox to convert them to WAV files & edit them the same as my album recordings.
Now it’s time to burn that CD you’ve worked so hard for. Don’t use the CD-R’s that say they are for "Music", they are meant for the stereo CD Recorders & not your computer. Also my own preference is to only use the 80 minute CD-R’s when the tracks I’m recording won’t fit on a 74 minute disc. Now close any unnecessary applications that are running on your computer, I usually don’t, but this will help you avoid the nasty "buffer underrun" error. Start Easy CD Creator and basically it’s a drag and drop operation. This may sound like a lot of work but with a little practice & patience you will be spittin’ out CD’s like Columbia House.
And finally, I know you thought this would never end. The CD’s you make won’t last forever, after I’ve listened to my CD and I am satisfied with the results, I’ll convert my WAV files to MP3 format, using Music-Match Jukebox. When I have enough, about 10 or 11 CD’s worth, I’ll back them up to a CD using Easy CD Creators Data CD function. That way when someone forgets to return your CD or the kids were using it as a Frisbee you can easily replace it.
JimiMack
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-11: How to connect my sound card to Stereo Receiver (Author: GoonBoy)
You need:
1/8" mini male stereo plug to two RCA female Y adapter. AND:
1 set standard stereo hookup cables (RCA to RCA - black/red pair)
OR - 1/8" stereo mini plug (male) to 2 RCA male plug adapter cable - one piece.
Plug one end of the black/red pair into the Tape In, Aux In, etc., on your tuner, the
other into the two female RCAs on the Y adapter. Plug the 1/8"male stereo mini plug
into your Line Out/Speaker jack.
This will let you play PC Audio through your stereo.
If you want to record from the stereo into the PC (to make a CDR, etc., just change the
stuff at the stereo end to Tape Out, or Aux Out, and the 1/8"mini at the PC goes to
Line In. You can then import audio from your stereo to a PC mixer, CDR-W, etc.
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-12: Free Software for Merging MP3 media (Credit: Declan)
The program is called MPEG Audio Scissors and can be found -->
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-13: Free Program for Erasing CD/RW, SuperBlank (Credit: Karamales)
SuperBlank is a utility for erasing CD-RW discs. It supports using multiple CD-RW writer drives simultaneously. It will often erase discs that other software refuses to accept.
http://www.cdrom-prod.com/download.html#SUPERBLANK
Note: Although I have had a number of members try the
program with great success, one member did report that she had to uninstall the program
due to conflicts with her system, too it erased the disc but rendered it un-useable.
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-14: Recording Photo images with Easy CD Creator (Author: Ted N77)
To record photo images with Easy CD Creator open up Adaptec Desktop Icon and select Data CD (NOT Direct CD). Place the CD-RW Disc in your Write Drive. In the Adaptec Explorer View, select the folders from C drive the images you want to record. Once you select them they should appear on the right side of Layout Menu. Once they appear on the right side select the ones you specifically want by highlighting it and then click the Plus sign (add) from the gray menu bar on top. After making all selections go to gray menu bar select “File/Validate Layout” to be certain that the files are the same and have not changed. Then press the Red Create CD button on gray menu bar. In Create options choose “Create CD”, In “Write Method” you need to make a choice. If you have enough images to fill entire CD then select Disc at Once option, (I recommend this as the easiest option). Otherwise if you want to add more images at a later time you will need to make a Multi Session CD. To do this make sure to select “Close Session and Leave CD Open” as the Write option. To learn more about multi-session take a look at the Easy CD Creator Help found on the gray menu bar: go to Help/Easy CD Creator Basics/go to “Index” Tab/Data CD/Multi session. Note: as it states in directions make sure that when creating the Multi-session Data CD, you record the CD in the Mode 2: CD-ROM XA format in the CD Layout Properties. Note: with Easy CD Creator, data once recorded on CD-RW Disc you cannot delete individual image files you must erase entire CD-RW Disc.
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |
8-1-15: Additional Links for LP / Cassette to CD recording. (Credit: Steve_S)
I would like to thank Steve_S for providing us with these links for additional info associated with LP / Cassette to CD recording.
Jeff
There are numerous options in software
to record from 'Line in'. Some you must
purchase, some you don't.
Roxio's Easy CD Creator 5 Platinum (Spin Doctor),
MusicMatch Jukebox v7.0 Plus,
Nero v5.5,
Groove
Mechanic (Shareware)
Audacity (Freeware)
have the capability to record from the 'Line In' on your soundcard.
| Back to the Top | Back to CD/RW |