Music has found a new way of storage in the form of digital files in the computer and other digital systems. The MP3 format is the most popular and widely used storage media for music. Many people store a database of music in the form of MP3s in their computer system. There is a need to create a back up of every file stored on the computer due to the fear of its crashing. Similar to the data files backup, MP3 backup is also necessary. The most convenient and intelligent way of creating MP3 backup is by converting them into audio CDs.
Converting MP3 files into audio CDs is very simple and relatively easier than creating a backup of a data file. There is an abundance of CD burning software which can burn or make an audio CD with the help of a CD writer drive. The user just needs to compile a play list of the MP3 song files which he needs to store and then the software stores them into the CD.
The burning procedure of the audio CD is easy to understand. In the burning procedure, first the Mp3 files are converted into Compact Disc Audio (CDA) format files. This process is internal to the software program and is not displayed to the user. The most popular CD burning program is Nero. Although Nero software can handle all the burning procedure and behind the scenes conversion, it provides additional customized options for advanced users. For instance, Nero has a simple audio editor which provides the advanced option of applying filters like noise reduction, equalization or stereo widening and splitting of files.
Not all the CD burning software comes with the advanced features. In these cases the MP3 can be processed manually before burning the CD using dedicated audio editing software. There are plenty of freeware and commercial software programs available on the Internet for this service. The most useful editing functions while preparing MP3 files for burning onto CDs is to 'normalize' them. The normalization process smoothens out the volume spikes or differences between the various tracks on the CD. This process ensures that the entire CD plays at the same relative loudness. After the editing procedure of the MP3 files they should be saved in the WAV file format to be burned to CD. Sometimes the MP3s are burned to a Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R) format. The problem with this format is that although most modern CD players can play this CD format, the older CD players might not read them.
It is not essential for MP3s to be converted to another format. They can be burned directly to Audio CDs in the original MP3 format without any conversion. As MP3 files comes in a more highly compressed format than other formats, a large amount of song files can be stored on one CD - about 120 songs instead of 10 Wav type files. Moreover, the MP3 CDs can be played on a computer CD-ROM in addition to the compatible CD and DVD players.
There is one problem with MP3 CDs and that is looking for a particular piece of music among the huge file list is difficult, especially if the CD player doesn't have a display. The solution to this problem is to use a DVD player connected to a TV or home theater system and arrange the songs into logically divided folders - by artist, album etc. Also the name of the MP3 files should start with the name of the song rather than the artist to facilitate searching.
For more information on MP3 Music or MP3 Players visit http://www.mp3-express.com/mp3-players.htm
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