Long time no visit, must need something, trying to record audio.

Hey, I'd first like to say Hi to Gordon, Dien, and all the others that I've met here over the years. Busy as usual, don't get out much, haven't been on a message board other than my own in so long I can't remember.

Here's my audio question:

I'm recording some audio onto my pc and will later burn these files onto cds as part of a new product. What file format is best so these files will eventually play on most if not all cd players?

Thanks,
-Mike McGroarty
http://learnfrommike.com
http://www.freeplants.com

Mike,

Thanks for asking about doing audios for CD.

Most software that burns Audio CDs can convert On The Fly. Meaning, whether it was .WAV or MP3, the software will convert it to Standard Audio CD Format as it burns. So that when it is finished the CD wil play on normal CD Players.

However, if you are concerned, or maybe have some software from download.com that is independent from the software that came with the burner, then keep them as .WAV files.

Michael Ross

P.S. There is a "How To Make An Audio CD" hotsheet available at www.hotsheetcity.com - it's third from the bottom.

Michael,

Thanks for the help.

As I understand what you wrote, just save them as wav files, then as I burn them to the cd they will be converted to regular audio files. But just in case I grabbed the hotsheet. Thanks.

Hi Mike,

It's getting more and more where the mp3 format is taking over.

Since I do quite a bit of recording for others, I've not had a single client that
hasn't requested that I provide the finished product in mp3 format.

Since I use Audacity as my recording program, I still have a choice of WAV or mp3, but the mp3 seems to be winning.

Pete

Hi Pete, nice to hear from you.

I will be using Audacity, so you are saying the mp3 will work just fine. Just to be sure would I be better off with a wav file or is there an advantage to one over the other that I'm missing. I understand wav is a little higher quality since it's not compressed. ????

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

If you're burning to CD, save as a WAV file. The converting software will do the rest. It should also be able to make a normal CD from MP3 files - but - there is a Chance there might be a hiccup.

Use WAV files and you'll be fine.

The difference in quality between an MP3 and a WAV is not noticed by most people. But wave is universally recognized by CD Burning software. Which is why I say to use that format for burning an audio CD - if unsure, use wav format.

Something else to consider... many people now put audio onto MP3 players. So what you Could do is... make a Data/Audio CD - your burning software should have this as an option. And make the Data MP3 files.

This way, the buyers can play the CD in any normal CD player. And also copy the MP3 files into their MP3 Player - ipod or whatever brand they use. Sure, they can make their own MP3 from your CD, but when you also give it to them it adds a little perceived value.

Michael Ross

Thanks Michael, makes perfect sense to me now.