I am picking up my '05 F-150 with MP3 and audiophile capability next week. Since I have to drive about 150 miles to pick it up I would like to have some MP3 CDs to enjoy on the way home. Could anyone share the detailed instructions on how to setup the files on the CD so they will work? I have searched the forum but the information seems incomplete.

Thanks,
Tom

 

Well Im not sure what burning program you have but this is how I go about doing it with my Nero program. First I have to save the songs on my computer in .mp3 format. On my program there is a littll button on the bottom that says "more" that brings up more options, i click on "save tracks". Brings up a new screen where I can have it save the files in mp3 format, and what folder to save them to on my comp etc. Oce you saved all the song you want, add the files to the burn list and just hit burn. All there is to it. Thats without folders and such. I have no idea how to make folders on MP3's.

If you are a sound quality freak you might not like mp3's. The compressed files dont sound as good as the regular .cda files on a CD.

 

Bart,

Thanks for the info. I think I can get the MP3 files on a disc but I was wondering about the format of the disc. I've read you can only have so many files and folders on a disc.

Thanks,
Tom

 

Tom,

Most cd burning programs have a meter bar or some tyep of feedback that shows how much space is left on the disc as you cue up things to burn. My suggestion as far as burning apps go is to use the latest Nero CD Burner.

As for how to MAKE the mp3 files... there's really no question in my mind. You'll need the following FREE apps to do it.

Go here and snag the latest stable encoder, 3.96.1:
http://www.rarewares.org/mp3.html

Next, go here and download the latest version of CDex.
http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/

Open up the settings on CDex once you install it and click on the Encoder tab at the top.

In the Encoder pull down box, select "External Encoder".

Select the path to the "lame.exe" file that came with the 3.96.1 encoder.

Enter the following EXACTLY in the parameter string dialogue box (don't use the quotation marks):
"--preset standard -ms --id3v2-only %1 %2"

I prefer to see the DOS box pop up once the encoder starts on a given track, but if you want that to be hidden, just check the "Hide the DOS box window" box. Leave everything else unchecked.

Now click on the Filenames tab at the top.
Figure out how you would like to organize your discs as you rip them. Here's my personal preference:

First, it creates a folder named "Artist - Album"
Below that, it sticks all the MP3 files with filenames of the form:
Artist - Album - Track Number - Song Title.mp3

To get that naming scheme to happen.... here is the Filename Format string to enter (wihout the quotes):
"%1 - %2\%1 - %2 - %7 - %4"

Make sure to set the WAV->MP3 directory and Recorded Tracks directory to the place you want the files stored. I have everything go to D:\mp3 on my computer. So I have subdirectories for every artist and cd under D:\mp3.

Let me know if you need more help or info. I write audio and video encoders and decoders for a living... so I have a decent clue about what works and what doesn't. The encoder settings I have given above for the "lame" encoder are seen by the entire ripping community at large as the defacto standard with regards to the tradeoff between quality and size.

As for your cd burning app... just make sure you pick CD-ROM (ISO) as the type to burn, and make sure to "finalize the cd". Alot of head units out there have issues if the cd is not finalized. It should just be a checkbox to click in the interface of the cd burner.


Best of luck,
Jeff