CD versus MP3 Player

[billpierce]

I tend not to think of myself as a dinosaur and I'm very handy with gadgets, but I'm still using CDs for my profiles. I can export all of my MixMeistered profiles to my MP3 player or burn them to a CD. I choose to burn the CD.

As I see it, the advantages of a CD are:
- if I need to skip tracks, I can Fast Forward, although I rarely do this.
- when timing a profile, if I screw up and miss a mark I can look at the track's time and correlate to that.
- it's slightly easier to listen to it in my car, but I can download the .mp3 file to a CF card and play it from there, so this isn't a big advantage.
The advantages of a MP3 player are:
- I can save the $0.10 per profile that a blank CD costs me.
- it's guaranteed not to skip, although this hardly ever happens with my CDs.

I made the transition from cassette to CD, but as a creature of habit I haven't converted to playing profiles off of my MP3 player. The advantages aren't as obvious to me. So, I'll ask that those who use an iPod or MP3 player to enlighten me on why I should convert.

[AC]

I tend not to think of myself as a dinosaur and I'm very handy with gadgets, but I'm still using CDs for my profiles. I can export all of my MixMeistered profiles to my MP3 player or burn them to a CD. I choose to burn the CD.

As I see it, the advantages of a CD are:
- if I need to skip tracks, I can Fast Forward, although I rarely do this.
- when timing a profile, if I screw up and miss a mark I can look at the track's time and correlate to that.
- it's slightly easier to listen to it in my car, but I can download the .mp3 file to a CF card and play it from there, so this isn't a big advantage.
The advantages of a MP3 player are:
- I can save the $0.10 per profile that a blank CD costs me.
- it's guaranteed not to skip, although this hardly ever happens with my CDs.

I made the transition from cassette to CD, but as a creature of habit I haven't converted to playing profiles off of my MP3 player. The advantages aren't as obvious to me. So, I'll ask that those who use an iPod or MP3 player to enlighten me on why I should convert.

After many years, I've ripped every CD I made into ITunes and they're all on my Ipod. I can carry several hundred mixes, also made from Mixmeister, on one Ipod, which is certainly easier than carrying CD cases.

You can fast forward your Ipod. You can see elapsed time and time remaining. If you have a newer car, they all come with auxiliary plugs for Ipods or mp3 players.

If you take the extra step of burn, then rip, it's worth it to not have CD's all over the place. Move tracks around into different playlists if you want. Look up any song on the spot. Use the "On-the go" feature and make a playlist in the car.

In summation, the main reason to use a digital music player, vs. CD's is the same reason to listen for personal listening vs. CD's. Thousands of songs-mixes-audio books-videos all in the palm of your hand.

[jsejt]

and I'm still using the CD's. I need to make the jump, because I'm tired of the CD catalog. Thanks for bringing the subject up so I can just "do it".

This is why I haven't:
-I don't know where the hook ups are, I have to ask
-I'm a creature of habit, CD's have always worked, no skipping
-I'm afraid I'll screw something up and can't find the playlist in the mp3
-I just realized these are all stupid reasons

....

[AC]

and I'm still using the CD's. I need to make the jump, because I'm tired of the CD catalog. Thanks for bringing the subject up so I can just "do it".

This is why I haven't:
-I don't know where the hook ups are, I have to ask
-I'm a creature of habit, CD's have always worked, no skipping
-I'm afraid I'll screw something up and can't find the playlist in the mp3
-I just realized these are all stupid reasons

....


The bag you carry the CD's in along with all the other stuff will also get about 5 lbs. lighter.

[Pink]

I am dense. iPod=others have tried to teach me how I can skip tracks using MixMeistered playlists, but I haven't been successful. No matter what I do, it seems to transfer as a single track. I fast-forward, I'm out of the playlist. I'd have to figure this out before contemplating a switch.

Another issue for me--I can never seem to remember to charge things. I use my Nano on shuffle for pre-class music. I never remember to charge it. It's been dead for the past 2 weeks. Same problem with my cell phone. Usually dead. But this is my issue, drives Mr. P nuts.

Also regarding playing the ipod in the car -- I've got an iTrip. Is there something better? It's one of the first ones (probably 5 or 6 years old) and it is impossible to find a radio station to get a clear signal. I'd love to be able to use my ipod in the car. My passenger seat is filled with CD's.

[cfoam4me]

AC, what ipod do you have all that on?

[AC]

This is my system:

1. Mix as usual on Mixmeister
2. Burn as seperate tracks to a CD (If you have an older version of Mixmeister, you have to export as .wav files, then burn on CD).
3. Rip CD back using ITunes. When the CD is inserted, right click and relabel the album name as something you'll recognize. Use your own name as the artist. Create a "Spin" genre. Rip as a "gapless" album. These are all just check boxes or drop menus.).
4. Transfer the tracks as Track 1, 2 etc to your Ipod.
5. When you look for the mix again, go to the "Artist" menu on the Ipod. Look for your own name. Find the album name you created. Off you go. Do not play as "shuffle". Just defeat that function in the main "Option" menu.

Tracks play in order. Gapless like the CD.

The burn-rip is an extra step taking about 6 minutes each time you do a new mix. Keep the CD filed at home for back-up. The ITunes file is also a backup.

You can advance a song on any Ipod by pushing the center button and rotating the wheel.

Charging the Ipod can be solved by buying a $5 charger for your phone and Ipod and putting them next to the bed!! Or some ginseng tea.

[AC]

AC, what ipod do you have all that on?

Gen 5 80G, which is now a 120G for $249. The 160G Ipod was discontinued, but if you look, you might get one. The 160G was $349. The newer one, 120G for $249 is a simple and perfect solution for holding a lot of stuff!!

[billpierce]

You can fast forward your Ipod. You can see elapsed time and time remaining.
Yes, I can fast forward but not to the next track. When I complete the profile in MM, I export it to an .mp3 file. It's one single file. I do not own any Apple products, including an iPod. I haven't seen the need to pay much more for the 'ease of use'. If I export it to an iPod play list, does it bring track markers with it?

If you have a newer car, they all come with auxiliary plugs for Ipods or mp3 players.
I have a brand new car and the gadgets are sweet. In addition to nav, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and satellite radio, it offers me 9 GB of hard drive space for my MP3s. It has a CF card slot for additional music that can be easily moved. It has an iPod jack, but it is only software compatible with iPods. My Sansa doesn't work with it but my daughter's iPod does. If MM exports playlists with track markers, I may have to break down and invest in an Apple product.
If you take the extra step of burn, then rip, it's worth it to not have CD's all over the place.
By carrying around a lot of CDs in my gym bag, I'm able to get a nice upper body workout in before my ride.

[AC]

Yes, I can fast forward but not to the next track. When I complete the profile in MM, I export it to an .mp3 file. It's one single file. I do not own any Apple products, including an iPod. I haven't seen the need to pay much more for the 'ease of use'. If I export it to an iPod play list, does it bring track markers with it?

I have a brand new car and the gadgets are sweet. In addition to nav, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and satellite radio, it offers me 9 GB of hard drive space for my MP3s. It has a CF card slot for additional music that can be easily moved. It has an iPod jack, but it is only software compatible with iPods. My Sansa doesn't work with it but my daughter's iPod does. If MM exports playlists with track markers, I may have to break down and invest in an Apple product.

By carrying around a lot of CDs in my gym bag, I'm able to get a nice upper body workout in before my ride.

See my system above. I will export directly as on continuous track sometimes. But if you burn to CD and rip again back, it will add that option of skipping from track to track. It's an extra step or 2 but once I have it done, it's done for good. Less than 10 minutes total to get that done.

I'd assume any mp3 player plays thru the aux jack with a male to male cord.

[billpierce]

See my system above. I will export directly as on continuous track sometimes. But if you burn to CD and rip again back, it will add that option of skipping from track to track. It's an extra step or 2 but once I have it done, it's done for good. Less than 10 minutes total to get that done.

I'd assume any mp3 player plays thru the aux jack with a male to male cord.


I need to decide whether the extra step is worth it. Obviously, it is for you.

I can play my MP3 player through the aux jack, but I have a 9GB hard drive that's integrated into the AV system so there isn't much point because the same songs that I have on my Sansa can be played off my hard drive. If I want to temporarily add new stuff, I just transfer it to a CF card and insert that into the CF reader in the car. A USB slot would have been much nicer but this works. The cool thing about when an iPod is hooked up, the iPod display is shown on my car's display. I'm actually thinking of getting one just for this.

[Pink]

This is my system:

1. Mix as usual on Mixmeister
2. Burn as seperate tracks to a CD (If you have an older version of Mixmeister, you have to export as .wav files, then burn on CD).
3. Rip CD back using ITunes. When the CD is inserted, right click and relabel the album name as something you'll recognize. Use your own name as the artist. Create a "Spin" genre. Rip as a "gapless" album. These are all just check boxes or drop menus.).
4. Transfer the tracks as Track 1, 2 etc to your Ipod.
5. When you look for the mix again, go to the "Artist" menu on the Ipod. Look for your own name. Find the album name you created. Off you go. Do not play as "shuffle". Just defeat that function in the main "Option" menu.

Tracks play in order. Gapless like the CD.

The burn-rip is an extra step taking about 6 minutes each time you do a new mix. Keep the CD filed at home for back-up. The ITunes file is also a backup.

You can advance a song on any Ipod by pushing the center button and rotating the wheel.

Charging the Ipod can be solved by buying a $5 charger for your phone and Ipod and putting them next to the bed!! Or some ginseng tea.

Thanks for writing all this out AC, I'm printing it out for future reference. Since I'll still have to burn CD's, I think I'll stick to using them in class. However, this will be especially helpful when doing longer classes that require more than one disk.

[Escandalosa]

I use both. Most of the time I use CDs but every now and again I'll use my ipod. I always like to have both while in class in case the CD player is broken or the ipod hookup is malfunctioning.

To only use the ipod would cause me to have to carry around the charger as well. If I'm going to carry that around, I might as well just carry some CDs... no charging needed.

Like I said I use both, but I prefer CDs.

[Funhog]

I use the Monster wireless jack in my car - no other brand I was told is as high a quality, and having heard others, including the Apple version that a friend has, I am convinced this is true. it's more expensive, but worth it.

So I find a non-used frequency on the radio (they explain how in the directions) and plug it in and bang! I have my full iPod library at my disposal in my car, with great sound, without a mass of cds littering the floor and seats (as I used to have).

BUT, the best thing about it is it charges my iPod whenever it's plugged in. I had the same problem as Pink in remembering to charge things. But since my iPod is either being used in a class, or on a mtn bike ride, or it's plugged into the car (and charging) I have not had to charge it in many many months (except at conferences where I keep it plugged in just in case). It's a very nice thing!

[AC]

I use both. Most of the time I use CDs but every now and again I'll use my ipod. I always like to have both while in class in case the CD player is broken or the ipod hookup is malfunctioning.

To only use the ipod would cause me to have to carry around the charger as well. If I'm going to carry that around, I might as well just carry some CDs... no charging needed.

Like I said I use both, but I prefer CDs.

I hooked up permanently in my Spin Room, a dock that plugs into the outlet and plugs the aux plug also. In a previous thread, I mentioned if you play the Ipod thru the 8pin jack vs. the headphone jack, it normalizes the volume better.

Again, chargers are a $5.00 thing. Just plug one in in the room and the Ipod charging problem is over.

[Escandalosa]

Again, chargers are a $5.00 thing. Just plug one in in the room and the Ipod charging problem is over.

In the gyms that I work at there are about 25 or so Spin classes a week... which translates into possibly 20 or so instructors. Unfortunately not all of them leave things where they are. Ipod cords go missing. CDs left behind by accident go missing. Windscreens go missing. Batteries go missing. You get the idea.

Leaving a charger would probably work for about a day or so before that... went missing.

[wh8sox]

Hate Apple for tons of reasons and think I-tunes is a pain in the butt-----

BUY AN IPOD--everything you can do now is easier. You will not regret it...promise!


Unplug the CD player at the back and plug in the ipod --no problem!

All five people that live in my house have one. Everyone should have one..... (and I am PC--have 4 PC's in my house).

[AC]

In the gyms that I work at there are about 25 or so Spin classes a week... which translates into possibly 20 or so instructors. Unfortunately not all of them leave things where they are. Ipod cords go missing. CDs left behind by accident go missing. Windscreens go missing. Batteries go missing. You get the idea.

Leaving a charger would probably work for about a day or so before that... went missing.

Just stick the charger in the bag. Did I say donate it?

[wh8sox]

Just stick the charger in the bag. Did I say donate it?

buy an ipod--do it NOW-- who cares if a better one comes out tomorrow -- get one now!

[SpinBob]

I find that one of benefits of my iPod is that with a handle bar mount I can keep better track of the music and use the play time on the iPod screen to keep track of the time. Here's a link to what I use: http://www.marware.com/PRODUCTS/Case-Accessories/Bike-Holder;jsessionid=0a010c471f434d35f9d9cf1b48eaae69 8921ea7d4db6.e3eSch4MaN4Re34Pa38Ta38Mb310

[megale3]

Think about where we came from. There are no more cutting edge people out there than we instructors.
We started with Records -went to 8 track and then to cassettes (Which for the first time, the ability to record a mix) Remember we could play a mix with out having to switch out media at the stereo!:cool: but we still had to be kind and rewind. Then we went to CD's which made us partially digital, but we needed to translate computer code at the stereo. Alas, we totally became digital after the first Mp3 player shows up. I remember my first one was only 128 megs:rolleyes:. Mixing and using an Mp3 player are just a natural progression. How many people do you know that still use cassettes? There are still a few. But, as the cassettes have gone, so will the CD's and possibly more. Since the music industry is trying to keep pirating to a minimum, and in trying to stay up with it , will require tougher restrictions on the media in which we receive the music and the programs that we use to rip it. I bought a new Metalica CD last week and tried to get it ripped into MP3 form, and the latest programs said "no way A hole". I actually had to go to an old program that doesn't exist any more -remember "Juke Box" before Yahoo bought it? to get it to do it. I am not sure what is next for music media but it will certainly come with a price tag. I know that we will use it and try and get it into class too. Sooner or later its not just convenience that gets you to move on its staying up with the times . And stores will not sale you what you got so use to and not allow you to sink into arrested development.

Meg

[AC]

And for some of you not old enough, I was the first kid on the block to install an "FM Converter" in the glove box next to my 8-track player. This was, of course, in my 1966 Pontiac Tempest.

[billpierce]

Sooner or later its not just convenience that gets you to move on its staying up with the times . And stores will not sale you what you got so use to and not allow you to sink into arrested development.

Meg

I'm not sure that I agree with the statements about convenience and what stores will sell you. First, if technology doesn't offer an advantage, it won't be adapted. The convenience of MP3s are that they can easily be bought, transported, shared, and loaded into a small player, which is why they have taken off. Until small MP3 players with hard drives or lots of flash came around, MP3s didn't really proliferate. Just being compressed digital files offers no advantage. Since I don't yet perceive an advantage of using an MP3 player for my profiles, I'll continue to burn CDs. There are innumerable advantages of CDs or MP3s over cassettes, hence the immediate transition. The reasoning behind my original post was to solicit everyone's inputs on the benefits and I haven't been fully sold.

As for stores selling you what 'you got so use to' (sic), they are businesspeople and will sell whatever there is demand for. A great example is the fact that vinyl albums had good growth last year while CD sales stagnated. This was reported in our local paper yesterday: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/. There is a perception amongst some audiophiles that vinyl offers better quality sound, so stores are offering what their customers want, not what they think they need to stay with the times.

[megale3]

Just being compressed digital files offers no advantage. Since I don't yet perceive an advantage of using an MP3 player for my profiles, I'll continue to burn CDs. There are innumerable advantages of CDs or MP3s over cassettes, hence the immediate transition. The reasoning behind my original post was to solicit everyone's inputs on the benefits and I haven't been fully sold.


Lead a instructor to water.:cool: How about this? Every time you rip and burn you lose , through compression, some of the things that the audiophiles say is missing in your CD's as compared to records. Just the quality of a mp3/WMA/ MP4 that is fresh vs one that has been ripped and re-recorded on a CD is a plus.
Meg

[amybatt]

Every time you rip and burn you lose, through compression, some of the things that the audiophiles say is missing in your CD's as compared to records. Just the quality of a mp3/WMA/ MP4 that is fresh vs one that has been ripped and re-recorded on a CD is a plus.


With all due respect (god, I sound like Biden now) I have heard that argument for years from my friends who record and bootleg concerts. To the average joe (and now I sound like Palin) listening on his home stereo, iPod or car, and especially to the folks sitting under industrial-strength fans in a studio that by its nature has crappy acoustics, no one knows the difference when you rip it. Really. My recording friends notice it when they compare their new virgin humungously large audio file that they're listening to through $1400 headphones over their recording equipment but when they rip that same file to mp3 or wav for me, I'm blissfully unaware of any difference. To an untrained ear on ordinary equipment, it's negligible.

My biggest problem with converting from CD to iPod would be getting used to delivering my profile referencing the length of the songs and doing it by total elapsed time instead. Old dog, new tricks and all that.

[NJspin]

Not a problem with MM if you export the files into single track instead of one treack.. I do wish there was a way to make the font on the iPod larger tho.. when mine is in the dock 5 ' away my eyes bug out trying to read the darn thing! :)
My biggest problem with converting from CD to iPod would be getting used to delivering my profile referencing the length of the songs and doing it by total elapsed time instead. Old dog, new tricks and all that.

[megale3]

With all due respect (god, I sound like Biden now) I have heard that argument for years from my friends who record and bootleg concerts. To the average joe (and now I sound like Palin) listening on his home stereo, iPod or car, and especially to the folks sitting under industrial-strength fans in a studio that by its nature has crappy acoustics, no one knows the difference when you rip it. Really. My recording friends notice it when they compare their new virgin humungously large audio file that they're listening to through $1400 headphones over their recording equipment but when they rip that same file to mp3 or wav for me, I'm blissfully unaware of any difference. To an untrained ear on ordinary equipment, it's negligible.

My biggest problem with converting from CD to iPod would be getting used to delivering my profile referencing the length of the songs and doing it by total elapsed time instead. Old dog, new tricks and all that. I do that is what counts. Some crappy stereos only enhance the crappiness of the recording.... But really you are right it comes down to the person doing the recording and I am a nerd when it comes to my mixes. Oh yeah check this.. When we do the CD exchanges and some one makes a CD that has been burned to CDA everyone is like "damn!,I have to rip it now and it doesn't sound as good when I do." That is real world stuff that everyone here can relate to.;)

[amybatt]

everyone is like "damn!,I have to rip it now and it doesn't sound as good when I do."

Not me! :wink: I honestly can't tell...and I feel bad when my recording friends give me two different mixes of a show they did and ask which is better. They both always sound the same to me. Unless you're into this mixing thing or have a trained musical ear, I'm willing to wager you're more likely to be like me than Megs. (And I mean that nicely, not evilly)

[megale3]

Not me! :wink: I honestly can't tell...and I feel bad when my recording friends give me two different mixes of a show they did and ask which is better. They both always sound the same to me. Unless you're into this mixing thing or have a trained musical ear, I'm willing to wager you're more likely to be like me than Megs. (And I mean that nicely, not evilly)
Not taken that way at all. Really if it were not for the music, many times I would have quit this gig.

[AC]

I'm not sure that I agree with the statements about convenience and what stores will sell you. First, if technology doesn't offer an advantage, it won't be adapted. The convenience of MP3s are that they can easily be bought, transported, shared, and loaded into a small player, which is why they have taken off. Until small MP3 players with hard drives or lots of flash came around, MP3s didn't really proliferate. Just being compressed digital files offers no advantage. Since I don't yet perceive an advantage of using an MP3 player for my profiles, I'll continue to burn CDs. There are innumerable advantages of CDs or MP3s over cassettes, hence the immediate transition. The reasoning behind my original post was to solicit everyone's inputs on the benefits and I haven't been fully sold.

As for stores selling you what 'you got so use to' (sic), they are businesspeople and will sell whatever there is demand for. A great example is the fact that vinyl albums had good growth last year while CD sales stagnated. This was reported in our local paper yesterday: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/. There is a perception amongst some audiophiles that vinyl offers better quality sound, so stores are offering what their customers want, not what they think they need to stay with the times.

Every format in audio and video takes off when it becomes portable. Cassettes became the format of choice when the original Walkman was marketed and every auto came with a cassette player. Cd's took off for the same reason...CD Walkman and in-dash CD players. DVD's also took off over VHS when DVD players became portable. Home stereo is another discussion, since USB compatible turntables are available. Perfect example is my son just got one, took all my old albums and is ecstatic..."Dad, have you every heard The Rolling Stones or the Beatles on vinyl?"...:grin:

I do agree, I can't really hear the difference between CD's and my IPod thru the stereo in a Spinning room. But I do like the idea of having all my work in a nice small thing in my coat pocket. If I want to listen to some mixes on a plane, on the beach, in the car or in the room, I just have one thing to remember. It's like having all my cards and ID in a wallet. If I have it, I have everything. If I lose it, I'm f 'd. But, I do have the library to replace or burn anything I lose on the device.

There's no difference between a filing cabinet/calculator/spread sheets and a computer either. Just one is easier to have everything in one place and takes up less space. Like an IPod and CD's. Just the IPod, I have podcasts, audio books, music, pictures, videos...even contacts/calendar if you want all, on 1 thing.

[megale3]

Every format in audio and video takes off when it becomes portable. Cassettes became the format of choice when the original Walkman was marketed and every auto came with a cassette player. Cd's took off for the same reason...CD Walkman and in-dash CD players. DVD's also took off over VHS when DVD players became portable. Home stereo is another discussion, since USB compatible turntables are available. Perfect example is my son just got one, took all my old albums and is ecstatic..."Dad, have you every heard The Rolling Stones or the Beatles on vinyl?"...:grin:

I do agree, I can't really hear the difference between CD's and my IPod thru the stereo in a Spinning room. But I do like the idea of having all my work in a nice small thing in my coat pocket. If I want to listen to some mixes on a plane, on the beach, in the car or in the room, I just have one thing to remember. It's like having all my cards and ID in a wallet. If I have it, I have everything. If I lose it, I'm f 'd. But, I do have the library to replace or burn anything I lose on the device.

There's no difference between a filing cabinet/calculator/spread sheets and a computer either. Just one is easier to have everything in one place and takes up less space. Like an IPod and CD's. Just the IPod, I have podcasts, audio books, music, pictures, videos...even contacts/calendar if you want all, on 1 thing.
Good thing that you are not mixing that stuff in the spinning room :D

[srclac]

oh please somebody help me! I bought MixMeister and I can't get my itunes to convert to mp3 to somehow get it to MixMeister. When I try to burn a CD in mp3 format itunes tells me it can't b/c the songs aren't in mp3. itunes help tells me to "edit" "format" change into mp3, but enter "edit" and no "format". Once I get songs into mp3 how do I get them to MixMeister and back to my ipod. This is my first post, I am always lurking, I have gotten many pearls of widsom from all of you.

[like2bike]

oh please somebody help me! I bought MixMeister and I can't get my itunes to convert to mp3 to somehow get it to MixMeister. When I try to burn a CD in mp3 format itunes tells me it can't b/c the songs aren't in mp3. itunes help tells me to "edit" "format" change into mp3, but enter "edit" and no "format". Once I get songs into mp3 how do I get them to MixMeister and back to my ipod. This is my first post, I am always lurking, I have gotten many pearls of widsom from all of you.

Hi there! A great big WELCOME to the forum--SO GLAD you came out form lurking. This is a great group of folks and now we are one better since you joined!

OK I am going to try and explain this as best I can. Somebody correct any errors if you see any, and srclac, please, if this doesn't make sense please feel free to PM me or continue posting and we will walk thru it together.

First step, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes.

Next, what you are going to do is known as "burning and ripping." You are going to burn a CD of the songs that you purchased from iTunes (in the "protected" format) and "rip" them back to your hard drive in MP3 format. (Don't worry, it sounds scarier than it is!)

Get a blank CD-R disc ready. Click on "Burn Disc" in lower right corner of iTunes. Where it says "Disc Format" click on "Audio CD" and click "burn" (insert disc now).

Let the disc burn your selected (protected) tracks, and then import the disc back into iTunes (iTunes will ask you if you'd like to do that--say yes) & when iTunes imports the songs you just burned on the disc BACK into iTunes, the songs will be imported as MP3 songs.

Next, choose the collection of songs you want to put in to a MM playlist. Make a new playlist in iTunes of those songs (which are now MP3 files) in the order that you'd like them to go. Get another blank CD (CD-R) ready, click on "burn disc" again, and THIS time, change where it says "Disc Format" to "MP3." This will allow the names of the songs and the artist to import into MM (and they won't import as "Track 13, etc.").

Import the songs on your disc into iTunes, and then import them into MM and mix away!

Gosh I hope this all makes some kind of sense.

Good luck and keep asking questions! We are here to help eachother learn and grow!

[srclac]

Thank you for your welcome and help, I have printed out your directions and will try them after I finish ALL the work that I need to do before I can play around with itunes. If I get stuck (which I am sure that I will) you will hear from me. Thanks again:grin:

[NJspin]

Way to GO MS. TECH!http://www.innercycling.com/f/images/icons/icon14.gifhttp://www.innercycling.com/f/images/icons/icon14.gifhttp://www.innercycling.com/f/images/icons/icon14.gif


OK I am going to try and explain this as best I can. Somebody correct any errors if you see any, and srclac, please, if this doesn't make sense please feel free to PM me or continue posting and we will walk thru it together......

[srclac]

NJspin - thanks for the detailed directions. I have run into some problems so here is where I am at:
1.Burned the first disc from my playlist directly from itunes.
2.burned the disc back into itunes.
3.created a new titled playlist ("mp3 spin4") and tried to burn onto new disc. The error message I received was that "none of the files can be burned to MP3 cd format" b/c the files are not in MP3 form. I pulled these songs from "recently added" I am assuming that these are the MP3 songs. I hate to assume (always wrong!!).

So my question is how do I know that the songs are in MP3 format?? I know that once I get this it won't be so difficult, but I am not feeling it yet. I much appreciate your help..

Thanks
Lyn

[like2bike]

Lyn did you do this part:

Click on "Burn Disc" in lower right corner of iTunes. Where it says "Disc Format" click on "Audio CD" and click "burn" (insert disc now).

Let the disc burn your selected (protected) tracks, and then import the disc back into iTunes (iTunes will ask you if you'd like to do that--say yes) & when iTunes imports the songs you just burned on the disc BACK into iTunes, the songs will be imported as MP3 songs.

[like2bike]

Also, in iTunes, across the top is "Name, Time, Artist, Album, Genre, Kind."

"KIND" will tell you if the file is MP3 or AAC Protected. If you don't see "Kind" in the line across the top, go to "View" and "View Options" in iTunes and make sure "Kind" is checked (click the box next to "Kind" with your mouse and a check mark will appear.)

[BikeFL]

I'm not Ms. Tech, but......

Check your import setting on I tunes. Edit/Preferences/General/Import Settings. I burned about 10 CD to I tunes and couldn't figure out why MM would not pick up the "imported" songs from my I tunes library. I was importing them as AAC files. I changed the setting to MP3... works like a charm.

Also try right clicking on the imported songs you've already imported and click create MP2 version. If this works you may not have to re-"burn."

[srclac]

I don't know if you get my replies from the e-mail or I have to post directly here (I will save that tech. ?for later). Ok, I went into import settings from edit and changed to MP3 (a sentence popped up that said "does not apply to songs downloaded from itunes"), anyway I changed to MP3 and downloaded a new song, it downloaded as Protected ACC. I have the latest version of itunes, as if that helps. I also went to view options to view "kind" and ALL songs are ACC. How about Windows Media Player, any info on that?? Thanks for everybody's help, I really appreciate it. This is fixable, although I don't know about the bald spot I am getting from tearing out my hair!!! Any more suggestions please...

[BikeFL]

The MP3 import setting will not work for right-protected songs downloaded from I Tunes. Just as I tunes indicated. That's why you burn/rip a CD of your right-protected songs downloaded from I Tunes. Then import the songs from the "ripped" CD back to I tunes as an MP3 format.

I usually buy MP3 songs from Amazon to avoid the hassel of converting I tunes right-protected songs.

[Todd S]

The MP3 import setting will not work for right-protected songs downloaded from I Tunes. Just as I tunes indicated. That's why you burn/rip a CD of your right-protected songs downloaded from I Tunes. Then import the songs from the "ripped" CD back to I tunes as an MP3 format.

I usually buy MP3 songs from Amazon to avoid the hassel of converting I tunes right-protected songs.

I don't buy selections from I-Tunes either, but isn't there software available that will remove the protection from I-Tunes tunes and if so can the unprotected songs then be read by MM?

[srclac]

BikeFL - I am trying the rip method, but from what I can tell I can burn the CD fine but the songs appear to "rip" back as still ACC b/c they won't burn as MP3 to a disc. I may try Amazon, or how about emusic? Can these songs be used on an ipod??

[BikeFL]

Phone a friend? Just kidding..... Got access to teenager? Another spin instructor? Probably easier to have someone show you. Save the hair! I went through the same learning curve.

I use E Music too.... limited music selections though. E music is a base cost of $9.99 per month for 20 (?) songs per month. I'm thinking of dropping E Music because I don't donwload much from the site anymore. You can always join and load up the 25 (50?) freebies songs offered for signing up..... then drop it if it's not for you. Songs from E Music and Amazon are MP3 formatted..... works fine on an I pod.

You may want to search this forum for ways to manage your music library for use with MM. If you're just getting started now is good time... before you collect a 1,000 plus songs! This is next on my agenda when I get some breathing room.

[BikeFL]

Sound Taxi is another option if you have lots of songs to convert. http://www.soundtaxi.us/order.html

Other software is available too.

[srclac]

Thank you, Thank you to all that helped me!!! The itunes method did not work BUT Window Media Player worked great. So if anyone has any questions about Window Media Player just post it and I may have an answer (not an expert yet, but getting there). Thanks Again to you all:grin:

[like2bike]

Oh Good! I'm SO GLAD you got this to work for you! YAY! :)

[srclac]

Ready for more! (bring it on!!) - so here is my next question. When I am in MixMeister I type in the song names because they come over from Windows Media Player as Track 1, no problem, I can handle that, but when I import the mixed playlist back into itunes I have to re-type the song names. I go into "recently added" in itunes and they are "track 1" again. Anyway to get them from MM to itunes with song names? If I can remember correctly I had to also name them in Windows Media also, so I am typing song names three times. Anyway to keep song names for at least one of the imports?? Thanks again for all your help :grin:

[like2bike]

Ready for more! (bring it on!!) - so here is my next question. When I am in MixMeister I type in the song names because they come over from Windows Media Player as Track 1, no problem, I can handle that, but when I import the mixed playlist back into itunes I have to re-type the song names. I go into "recently added" in itunes and they are "track 1" again. Anyway to get them from MM to itunes with song names? If I can remember correctly I had to also name them in Windows Media also, so I am typing song names three times. Anyway to keep song names for at least one of the imports?? Thanks again for all your help :grin:
Go into your iTunes Preferences and look for "Disc Format." Change that setting from "Audio CD" to "MP3." This will allow the names of the songs and the artist to import into MM (and they won't import as "Track 13, etc."). And don't forget you'll need to change that setting back to "Audio CD" if you plan to burn and rip songs that are in the Protected AAC audio format to an MP3 file.

[Pink]

This is my system:

1. Mix as usual on Mixmeister
2. Burn as seperate tracks to a CD (If you have an older version of Mixmeister, you have to export as .wav files, then burn on CD).
3. Rip CD back using ITunes. When the CD is inserted, right click and relabel the album name as something you'll recognize. Use your own name as the artist. Create a "Spin" genre. Rip as a "gapless" album. These are all just check boxes or drop menus.).
4. Transfer the tracks as Track 1, 2 etc to your Ipod.
5. When you look for the mix again, go to the "Artist" menu on the Ipod. Look for your own name. Find the album name you created. Off you go. Do not play as "shuffle". Just defeat that function in the main "Option" menu.

Tracks play in order. Gapless like the CD.

The burn-rip is an extra step taking about 6 minutes each time you do a new mix. Keep the CD filed at home for back-up. The ITunes file is also a backup.

You can advance a song on any Ipod by pushing the center button and rotating the wheel.

Charging the Ipod can be solved by buying a $5 charger for your phone and Ipod and putting them next to the bed!! Or some ginseng tea.

I'm calling up this old thread because I, once again, need guidance. I'm going to be teaching 90-minute classes and will need to get serious about using the ipod (vs. changing out CDs midway through the class). If I go your route, AC, I'd still need to copy the playlist on to 2 cd's (from MM). Once it's transferred over to itunes, can it be blended together so it's a single playlist before putting it on the ipod?

Also, I do not currently use itunes at all -- I manage my music with Windows Media Player and my music is exclusively mp3 (with a handful of WMAs). But the playlist will be exported from Mixmeister as a WAV, so that's not an issue with itunes, right? (I may not have all the terminology right, which just proves my :confused:). Is there a way around using itunes (gives me fits)? I know Steve gave me direction the last time I did this but I am searching & searching & can't find his directions.

[AC]

I'm calling up this old thread because I, once again, need guidance. I'm going to be teaching 90-minute classes and will need to get serious about using the ipod (vs. changing out CDs midway through the class). If I go your route, AC, I'd still need to copy the playlist on to 2 cd's (from MM). Once it's transferred over to itunes, can it be blended together so it's a single playlist before putting it on the ipod?

Also, I do not currently use itunes at all -- I manage my music with Windows Media Player and my music is exclusively mp3 (with a handful of WMAs). But the playlist will be exported from Mixmeister as a WAV, so that's not an issue with itunes, right? (I may not have all the terminology right, which just proves my :confused:). Is there a way around using itunes (gives me fits)? I know Steve gave me direction the last time I did this but I am searching & searching & can't find his directions.

If you stay with my system, you'd make 2 CD, since a CD is 80 minutes. If you do burn 2 CD's, when you go to rip the second one back into ITunes, rename the first track in sequence withthe last number of the first CD, or if Track 12 is the last song on CD1, Track 13 is the first song on CD2. Make the Album and Artist name the same on both CD's.

As I said, this is my personal system. i don't know if it's faster than another way, and you can export the entire 90 minutes as 1 track and save the burn/rip trouble. I like it this way.

[billpierce]

Susan -

After everyone's inputs to this thread, I really only found > 80 minute classes as the only reason to use an MP3 player over a CD. I'm still a dinosaur. I don't use iTunes or any Apple products. I've done exactly what you want to do using MixMeister, Windows Media Player, and my Sansa. What I did was similar to AC's method but slightly modified to avoid iTunes. I created the ride as 2 CDs in MM and burned them to CDs. I then ripped them to a folder in my hard drive where I keep my music. I wanted to just call it up on my Sansa as an album, rather than create a playlist. So, I right clicked on the tracks, labelled 1,2, 3...selected properties, selected summary, and then clicked on the album title and changed it to '90 minute ride'. When I got to the second CD's tracks, I also changed the album title and then started changing the track numbers in the same menu, sequencing from where the last CD left off. Then, I plugged in my Sansa and just sync'ed it as an album. For the class, I just played the album '90 minute ride' with each track in sequence. This way, I wasn't looking for playlists although that method would work as well. The key thing in the Windows environment is changing track numbers via the 'right click, properties, summary' menu.

[amybatt]

Also, I do not currently use itunes at all -- I manage my music with Windows Media Player and my music is exclusively mp3 (with a handful of WMAs). But the playlist will be exported from Mixmeister as a WAV, so that's not an issue with itunes, right? (I may not have all the terminology right, which just proves my :confused:). Is there a way around using itunes (gives me fits)? I know Steve gave me direction the last time I did this but I am searching & searching & can't find his directions.

Susan, you can save the file in something other than wav in MM. When you go to Export Playlist, there is a drop down where you can select file type. There you can change it to various quality of mp3s. I did this this week for a friend who is training inside and wanted some of my classes to listen to. So I just exported them all to mp3 and put them on SpacesLive in the Full Rides folder for him. You can then add them to your iPod however you usually do. I think in this case though you'd have to get used to using total elapsed time on the whole disc as opposed to elapsed time per song, but I think you do anyway, right?

[Pink]

Thanks for the additional input everyone. I'm handing this over to tech support. ;)

For Monday night's 90-minute class, he found some free-ware program that helped convert it all, but it was pretty cumbersome. We'll (he'll) try it as y'ou suggest and see if that streamlines it.

I really struggle with this stuff. Met a friend for coffee yesterday and she kept looking at my watch, which is still on daylight savings time, because I don't know how to change it.:D

I'll scream if any more help is needed. We really do appreciate you taking the time to type this all out for us!

[Pink]

Bill & AC -- we used your methods & were successful in burning/ripping/renumbering etc. We moved the stuff onto the ipod as mp3s. It played as one long track, however I could skip forward & back. YAY! However, there was a blip when a new track would fade in (as the previous track was still playing). I checked the original playlist in MM and it occurred at the same exact point a new song enters the timeline. Do you have this too? If not, any ideas?

Since I don't use itunes, we are using Mediawidget to transfer from pc to ipod. I take it itunes eliminates the need for a transferring program, right? And, Bill, what do you use to transfer from your Sansa?

Amy, I have MM Express 5 and I don't think it gives you the option of exporting playlists as mp3s -- only wma's & wav's.

[Pink]

Bill & AC -- we used your methods & were successful in burning/ripping/renumbering etc. We moved the stuff onto the ipod as mp3s. It played as one long track, and I could skip forward & back. YAY! However, there was a blip (hesitations) when a new track would fade in (while the previous track was still playing). I checked the original playlist in MM and it audible breaks occurred at the exact point a new song enters the timeline. Do you have this too? If not, any ideas why I'm getting them?

Since I don't use itunes, we are using Mediawidget to transfer from pc to ipod. I take it itunes eliminates the need for a transferring program, right? And, Bill, what do you use to transfer from your Sansa?

Amy, I have MM Express 5 and I don't think it gives you the option of exporting playlists as mp3s -- only wma's & wav's.

[billpierce]

Bill, what do you use to transfer from your Sansa?



I use Windows Media Player.

[AC]

I always transfer music or any file using Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer).

When I use my method, the cross fades are perfect transferring into ITunes. Remember, you rip it back checking "gapless".

The problem with wma files is they are huge memory hogs. A 1 hour wma mix is probably half a gig.

You probably can set the mp3 player you're using to play with no pause between tracks, somewhere in the "tool" or "options settings on the player, or when it's synched to the PC.

[amybatt]

The problem with wma files is they are huge memory hogs. A 1 hour wma mix is probably half a gig.


Pink is right, MM can either do wav or wma. I decreased the file quality of the wma when I uploaded them this week and my largest one I think is between 36 and 40 megs. You can pick the quality of the file in MM to get the size down.