Burning CDs through WinAMp

Seadreamer · 11th December 2000, 03:43

I have no experience burning CDs but will be acquiring an external CD writer shortly and hope to get started quickly. I have a lot of MP3 files on my hard drive that I want to move to audio CDs. The MP3s sound so much better, however, when they are played through WinAmp and processed through DSP plug-ins that equalize the sound and add echo, reverb etc. Also, the "DJ" effect is better better with output plug ins that add crossfading.

It is this "WinAmp-processed" sound that I want to record to CD, not just unprocessed MP3's. How do I do that? Can I do that using standard software such as CD Creator?

Thanks,
Seadreamer

Matt · 11th December 2000, 03:51

Use the Diskwriter plugin in Winamp. Go to the preferences (control+p) and plugins > output > select Nullsoft Diskwriter. Press configure and select a directory to save the files to.

Load your DSP plugins and play the song. Winamp will then save the file as a wave file in your chosen dir with the DSP effects added.

To create cd's you'll want a program such as Easy Cd Creator or Nero.

and plenty of hard disk space, the wave files you create will be around 700MB at maximum. (Depending on the length your cd will be)

The above mentioned programs will automatically convert mp3's to cd audio for you, but that would be no good as they would stay in their origianl form with no DSP effects etc.

[This message has been edited by Matt (edited December 10, 2000).]

petenice00 · 12th December 2000, 04:19

where can i find the Diskwriter plugin for winamp? do you have an exact address?

thanks-pete

12th December 2000, 04:23

The discwriter comes with Winamp. Read Matt's post and you'll find it.

Reverend Ike · 12th December 2000, 04:35

Just my extra 2 cents on this subject.

Because some particular EQ/DSP/FX-enhancements make your tunes sound spectacular on your computer speakers doesn't mean that an Audio CD burned with those enhancements may not sound totally crappy when it's played on your home stereo or your car stereo.

Often, if you are going to make an Audio CD to be played on a variety of other players, you are safer burning "neutral" tracks (no enhancements). Then use each player's equalizer, etc. to adjust the music to fit the destination environment, speakers, etc.

Not an absolute rule, but something to keep in mind.

[This message has been edited by Reverend Ike (edited December 11, 2000).]

Seadreamer · 12th December 2000, 18:35

I'm trying to be sensible with this. I know, for instance, that over-equalization of MP3s, whether to compensate for to little or too much bass/treble, could end up sounding like over-kill on my home stereo. The adjustments have to be subtle to allow for the obvious differences between a $500 speaker system and a pair of Labtecs. I know if this is carelessly done, it could produce exaggerated effects. I don't see, however, how modestly-applied reverb effects
(diffusion, feedback, mix), or applying a consistent gain level could hurt the sound.

Most of my MP3s are 1950s R&B,and Doo Wops, which, by the inherent limitations in recording technology at the time, benefit from some degree of audio tweaking. I've heard too many 50s tracks, obtained on "professionally" mastered CDs, that sound like crap--too tinny, not enough bass etc. Even many currently produced recordings, in their raw form, are inconsistent from the perspective of volume and equalization--a lot having to do with the "ear" and bias of the recording engineers.

With DSP plug-ins like the Arboretum Realizer Plus, which I use, my goal is to at least partially compensate for the limitations in these recordings.

Does it sound sensible to experiment and use the WinAmp CD Writer to equalize about a half dozen tracks, and burn a CD with these tracks, plus burn the same tracks in their raw form and compare? With a little trial and error, the results could be worth the time invested.

I'm interested in knowing of others experiences in this area.

Thanks for all your helpful feedback.

Reverend Ike · 12th December 2000, 23:45

Seadreamer -

I think your approach is perfect. If used conservatively, the EQ and DSP/FX plugins can provide volume adjustments and subtle audio correction without any problems.

My warning was more for novice users that might not realize how these audio tweaks can have differing results. These forums get posts on a regular basis from users who burn EQ-enhanced MP3 files onto an Audio CD, and then don't understand why their CD sounds horrible when it's played elsewhere.

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11th December 2000, 03:43	#1
Seadreamer Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 7	I have no experience burning CDs but will be acquiring an external CD writer shortly and hope to get started quickly. I have a lot of MP3 files on my hard drive that I want to move to audio CDs. The MP3s sound so much better, however, when they are played through WinAmp and processed through DSP plug-ins that equalize the sound and add echo, reverb etc. Also, the "DJ" effect is better better with output plug ins that add crossfading. It is this "WinAmp-processed" sound that I want to record to CD, not just unprocessed MP3's. How do I do that? Can I do that using standard software such as CD Creator? Thanks, Seadreamer

11th December 2000, 03:51	#2
Matt Banned Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: England Posts: 3,396	Use the Diskwriter plugin in Winamp. Go to the preferences (control+p) and plugins > output > select Nullsoft Diskwriter. Press configure and select a directory to save the files to. Load your DSP plugins and play the song. Winamp will then save the file as a wave file in your chosen dir with the DSP effects added. To create cd's you'll want a program such as Easy Cd Creator or Nero. and plenty of hard disk space, the wave files you create will be around 700MB at maximum. (Depending on the length your cd will be) The above mentioned programs will automatically convert mp3's to cd audio for you, but that would be no good as they would stay in their origianl form with no DSP effects etc. [This message has been edited by Matt (edited December 10, 2000).]

12th December 2000, 04:19	#3
petenice00 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 2	where can i find the Diskwriter plugin for winamp? do you have an exact address? thanks-pete

12th December 2000, 04:23	#4
Zorro Guest Posts: n/a	The discwriter comes with Winamp. Read Matt's post and you'll find it.

12th December 2000, 04:35	#5
Reverend Ike Evangelical Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,533	Just my extra 2 cents on this subject. Because some particular EQ/DSP/FX-enhancements make your tunes sound spectacular on your computer speakers doesn't mean that an Audio CD burned with those enhancements may not sound totally crappy when it's played on your home stereo or your car stereo. Often, if you are going to make an Audio CD to be played on a variety of other players, you are safer burning "neutral" tracks (no enhancements). Then use each player's equalizer, etc. to adjust the music to fit the destination environment, speakers, etc. Not an absolute rule, but something to keep in mind. [This message has been edited by Reverend Ike (edited December 11, 2000).]

12th December 2000, 18:35	#6
Seadreamer Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 7	I'm trying to be sensible with this. I know, for instance, that over-equalization of MP3s, whether to compensate for to little or too much bass/treble, could end up sounding like over-kill on my home stereo. The adjustments have to be subtle to allow for the obvious differences between a $500 speaker system and a pair of Labtecs. I know if this is carelessly done, it could produce exaggerated effects. I don't see, however, how modestly-applied reverb effects (diffusion, feedback, mix), or applying a consistent gain level could hurt the sound. Most of my MP3s are 1950s R&B,and Doo Wops, which, by the inherent limitations in recording technology at the time, benefit from some degree of audio tweaking. I've heard too many 50s tracks, obtained on "professionally" mastered CDs, that sound like crap--too tinny, not enough bass etc. Even many currently produced recordings, in their raw form, are inconsistent from the perspective of volume and equalization--a lot having to do with the "ear" and bias of the recording engineers. With DSP plug-ins like the Arboretum Realizer Plus, which I use, my goal is to at least partially compensate for the limitations in these recordings. Does it sound sensible to experiment and use the WinAmp CD Writer to equalize about a half dozen tracks, and burn a CD with these tracks, plus burn the same tracks in their raw form and compare? With a little trial and error, the results could be worth the time invested. I'm interested in knowing of others experiences in this area. Thanks for all your helpful feedback.

12th December 2000, 23:45	#7
Reverend Ike Evangelical Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,533	Seadreamer - I think your approach is perfect. If used conservatively, the EQ and DSP/FX plugins can provide volume adjustments and subtle audio correction without any problems. My warning was more for novice users that might not realize how these audio tweaks can have differing results. These forums get posts on a regular basis from users who burn EQ-enhanced MP3 files onto an Audio CD, and then don't understand why their CD sounds horrible when it's played elsewhere.