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Now that you've downloaded and traded a bunch of MP3 files, you'd like to make a CD. After all, you're not always next to your computer. The first step is converting them to .WAV format.
I know that there are programs out that burn MP3 directly to CD. There are two reasons I don't recommend them. First they are new and I don't have any experience with them. Second, when you burn CDs, any delay in getting data to the laser will ruin your disk (see Part VII: Turning CDRs into colorful home decorations). If you use one of these programs, make sure it can decompress faster than your CDR can burn. I burn CDs on a Cryrix P166+. Without the CDR running it can de-compress at 3X, but my CDR burns at 4X. If you are burning CDs on a faster machine, this will be less of a problem. You can also set you CDR to a lower speed, which will slow you down if you're making multiple copies.
There are also other reasons to conver MP3s back to .WAVs. You can edit .WAV files using editors such as Cool Edit 96 or Cool Edit Pro. Limited versions of both are available at www.hotfiles.com . .WAV files can be used to signal events on your computer such as windows start up when you get tired of the default sound schemes.
The actual conversion can be done with WinAmp, Zip Audio, some other MP3 players or a stand alone uncompressor.
To speed up these pages, I put the detailed instrunctions on separate pages.
With the ease of these two programs, I have not found a reason to try out any stand alone uncompressors. When I've tried some, I will add information to this sight.
