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Computing

From...

Create your own CD jukebox

October 6, 1998
Web posted at 12:15 PM EDT

by Warren Ernst

(IDG) -- The process of transferring old tapes and records to CDs can be intimidating for some people, and the free software that comes bundled with some CD-ROM burners could be a lot simpler to use.

Enter Music CD Recorder from Alpha Software, which turns most of the technical tasks of creating an audio CD into a set of easy-to-follow buttons and then provides a simple way to create attractive labels and jewel-box inserts. All for about $40, or less than half the price of many other programs of this type. (Of course, you also need a CD-R drive.)

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For copying disks, you are prompted to start reading musical tracks from your existing CDs onto your hard drive, and the excellent help file guides you through hooking up a tape player, eight-track, VCR, Laser Disk, DVD, or phonograph to your computer to copy music from other devices. It even lists Radio Shack part numbers for cables and jacks. The program also provides dialog boxes in plain English for creating special audio effects, like mixing tracks and performing fades. If you switch from the program's "simple" interface to the "advanced," you get tools to remove pops and scratches from records and hissing from tapes, automatic volume equalizers, and tonal equalizers.

The CD Labeler module uses Wizards to guide you through selecting images, creating song and track-time lists, picking fonts and colors, and printing your labels and booklets (preferably on a color printer). I saw very professional-looking results in less than 15 minutes.

While some advanced features are missing, such as the ability to create dual-mode data/audio CDs, or to record MP3 songs directly to CDs, the Music CD Recorder package isn't directed at the professional musician. Its simple methods and low price are appropriate for most casual home users and amateur musicians and DJs.

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