CD Burning Help!!

[Gilana]

Got a show this Saturday and the DJ says his system will only play CDs burned using an audio version (or some such technical jargon); my non-tech eyes rolled back in my head when he was explaining; but basically his system won't play anything from an MP3. I told him I edit songs in iTunes and burn my iTunes playlists for the two sets. That is the only system I have.

Well, found out today that they will not play on his system and the backup CD player they are using only sporadically plays burned CDs. I need help and/or suggestions quickly, if anyone has them.

I tried inserting the burned CD into another computer and saving it to My Music, and then burning a disc from there, but I couldn't get that to work either :(

If anyone is kind enough to walk me through a process, remember that I can be tech challenged, so feel free to use simple words

[Shunnareh]

Well, I burn using Nero and burn as a WMA file, not an MP3 one for most performances. This is what I think he means by an "Audio" file. Nero does this automatically and converts for me. Is there an option on your file burning system that allows you to choose how to burn? I'm sure someone else on Bhuzz will be able to be more specific I've only learned by trial and error!

As to the back up system playing sporadically this is probably because it's an old system that doesn't like CD RW's. They often have problem playing CD R's as well.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[ssipes]

Talk to the DJ and see if you can plug an ipod into the sound system with a mini stereo to RCA cable or some other kind of connector.

[Tourbeau]

Are you specifically selecting an audio format for your CD (as opposed to a data format)? The software is supposed to correctly massage whatever formats you use when you burn a CD as audio, but older electronics may still be wonky, especially if the equipment was produced before the MP3 format became widespread.

If you can't run directly off your iPod (if the system won't support it or the audio quality isn't good enough for the venue), ask him what data format you need on your CDs. There are free utilities that will allow you to convert audio files from MP3 to other formats.

[Rosette]

To burn a disk from iTunes, first create a playlist containing your song or songs, then select that playlist, insert your blank disk, and click the "burn disk" button at the bottom of the playlist. You'll be shown a choice between audio CD, MP3 or data CD. Select audio and go ahead.
Rosette

[ssipes]

To burn a disk from iTunes, first create a playlist containing your song or songs, then select that playlist, insert your blank disk, and click the "burn disk" button at the bottom of the playlist. You'll be shown a choice between audio CD, MP3 or data CD. Select audio and go ahead.
Rosette

I think she's done that. I think the issue is something else, something that can't be fixed in iTunes.

But it would help if we knew exactly what the DJ said ("audio format or some such technical jargon" doesn't help in researching how to fix the problem). @Gilana, if the iPod idea doesn't pan out, you really need to ask the DJ again what the required specs are on burned cds, and write it down so you can google it and find out how to fix the problem. Otherwise, all the suggestions on how to fix the problem are really blind guesses.

[Gilana]

To burn a disk from iTunes, first create a playlist containing your song or songs, then select that playlist, insert your blank disk, and click the "burn disk" button at the bottom of the playlist. You'll be shown a choice between audio CD, MP3 or data CD. Select audio and go ahead.
Rosette

Yes, done all this, and done it for years. iTunes gives you the option to burn as Audio or MP3, I have always burned as audio, which is what he was talking about. I did get another message from him that said to try slowing the burn speed down...right now it's set at Maximum Possible, and he suggested to change it to either 4x or 8x. Going to try that today and see if that helps.

For some reason he says he cannot use my ipod, don't know why, possibly because the time it would take to switch over between dancers or whatever. Really at this point, I just kind of feel it's a whole cheeseball operation (lots of issues with the whole show and sponsor) and just want to fulfill my obligation and be done with it.

Thanks for the input, your responses kind of confirmed that I was on the right track and made me feel not quite so technologically stupid!

[tigerb]

CD burning seems like an unreliable process and CD players are so darn picky. The dance studio where I learn has two sound systems -- one will play my ITunes-burned MP3s and one won't. Neither will play the "Audio" setting from iTunes. I burned a CD with an MP3 for a friend and also sent her the MP3. We both burned via iTunes; hers played and mine did not.

Which all just goes to say, "I feel your pain!"