Create Audio CDs for traditional players or MP3/WMA discs for compatible stereos. Trim tracks, mix audio, and burn or save BIN/APE files.
Choose the music-disc task you need: make an Audio CD, prepare an MP3/WMA disc, trim or mix a track, save BIN/APE output, or check playback. Use the four-step tutorial for a first disc and the individual tasks for specific settings.
Follow four steps from choosing a Profile to testing a finished disc.
Match Audio CD or data-disc playback to the equipment you will use.
Use Data CD/DVD and files your destination player can decode.
Use Add Files and confirm the intended source audio.
Review sequence, total playing time, and data-disc file sizes.
Set Start and End in Cut > Edit and preview the retained audio.
Use Adjust Volume and Adjust Speed for the selected material.
Set the fade durations in the Edit tab, then listen to both ends.
Use Mix > Load Music, timing, volume, and Repeat music.
Use Equalizer presets or its ten frequency bands.
Choose a Change of Voice preset or adjust Pitch.
Turn on Reverse audio for a deliberate backwards-playback effect.
Choose the writable drive in Destination rather than a file option.
Choose Make BIN Image File or Make APE Image File.
Keep the source list and settings, then verify the first completed disc.
Check the selected CD-RW or other supported rewritable disc before erasing.
Check recognition, track order, sound, and the final track.
Check Windows detection, media, Profile, and Destination.
Compare the original and reduce excessive volume or EQ boosts.
Review Output Folder and test the file with supporting software.
| Intended result | Choose and check |
|---|---|
| Music for a traditional CD player | Audio CD, with compatible writable CD media. Check the total playing time. |
| A longer MP3 or WMA collection | Data CD/DVD, using files the player can decode. Check file-size capacity, supported media, folders, and encoding. |
| Music stored on a DVD | Data CD/DVD with DVD media and a player that supports both the disc and the audio files. This is not a DVD-Video movie. |
| An Audio CD result saved on the PC | Audio CD, then a BIN or APE file destination. See image-file output instead of selecting a recorder. |
Follow these four steps for a complete music disc. For a particular adjustment, use the matching task above.
Open GiliSoft MP3 CD Maker and choose a Profile that matches the destination player. Select Audio CD for a traditional music CD, or Data CD/DVD for MP3 or WMA files on a player that supports those formats.
Check the player and media, or follow the MP3/WMA data-disc task.
Select Add Files to load your music or a supported video soundtrack. Arrange the list, remove unwanted entries, and use Cut to trim or adjust a track before checking the total disc capacity.
Add source tracks, review sequence and capacity, or use the individual sound-editing tasks.
Insert a compatible blank disc and select its writable drive in Destination. Check the profile, source list, and capacity again so the job writes to the physical disc rather than an image file.
Choose a physical recorder, or follow BIN/APE file output when you do not want to write a disc yet.
Select Start and wait for writing to finish before removing the disc. Play the first, middle, and final tracks on the car stereo, home player, or other device the disc was made for.
Use the finished-disc checks before producing more copies.
Choose the disc for the player you actually plan to use, and confirm that the computer has a writable drive.
Confirm whether it accepts standard Audio CD, MP3 or WMA data discs, and the chosen CD or DVD media. A CD-only player does not become DVD-compatible because a DVD contains music.
Use an internal or USB CD/DVD recorder recognized by Windows. A drive that only reads discs cannot burn them.
Match the blank disc to both recorder and player. Check its capacity and keep your original source files while preparing the music.
Common Audio CDs hold up to about 80 minutes, while a common data CD holds about 700 MB; check the actual media. Microsoft explains the underlying disc-type distinction.
Use a data-disc profile when the target player supports music files from that type of disc.
Select Data CD/DVD, not Audio CD. The shown Profile menu has these two choices; it does not contain a separate MP3 CD entry.
Use Add Files for the MP3 or WMA collection. Review the file formats and encoding the recipient's player can decode, along with the disc's file-size capacity.
Choose the writable drive in Destination and use media the player accepts. Burn and test a first disc, including folder navigation and track sorting.
See Audio CD and Data CD/DVD in the Profile menu. For a focused example, see burn an MP3 CD or create a WMA music disc.
Load music or a supported video's soundtrack, then review the audio before editing or burning.
Open Add Files and choose the intended sources. Common audio inputs include MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, and APE.
Preview each source. Supported video inputs such as MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, FLV, and MPEG contribute their soundtrack to an Audio CD project, not their video picture.
Choose the intended entry and use Cut to open Video/Audio Trim when needed. Listen to the result before returning to the main list.
The populated example shows a nine-second MP3 source being prepared under the Audio CD profile. Keep the original sources available for later changes.
Check both sequence and capacity after adding tracks or changing their duration.
Use the list-order controls available after importing tracks and remove unwanted project entries. Review the resulting sequence before writing the disc.
For Audio CD, compare total playing time with the capacity scale. For Data CD/DVD, check the file-size limit. Twelve five-minute tracks total sixty minutes even if their compressed files are small.
Some MP3 and WMA players sort by folder or filename rather than the list on the PC. Use a simple structure and consistent prefixes such as 01-intro.mp3 and 02-song.mp3, then test the actual player.
Recheck total duration after trimming or changing speed. If the project is too long, shorten the list or divide it across discs rather than relying on source file size alone.
Keep the desired section of one track using the Edit tab in Video/Audio Trim.
Select the intended track in the main list, choose Cut, and open Edit in Video/Audio Trim.
Adjust the timeline handles or enter Start and End. Preview the retained section and check its Duration.
Select OK when the audio starts and ends where intended. Review the project's total time again before burning.
The shown trim controls retain the section between Start and End. The opening music-note preview is an audio source, not evidence that a video picture will be included on an Audio CD.
Adjust one selected track and compare the result before committing it to the disc.
Select the source, choose Cut, and open Edit.
Use Adjust Volume for the level and Adjust Speed for playback rate. The example shows 100% volume and 1.00 speed before changes.
Preview both quiet and loud sections. Reduce excessive boosts if the sound distorts, review duration after a speed change, and select OK when satisfied.
See Adjust Volume and Adjust Speed in Edit. The screenshot does not show a preserve-pitch switch; judge both pace and tone by listening to the result.
Soften the opening or ending of the selected track without treating this as a crossfade between separate disc tracks.
Select the source and choose Cut > Edit.
Enter the required seconds for Fade in and Fade out. Choose durations that suit the retained Start and End range.
Listen to the beginning and ending so a fade does not hide important speech or music. Select OK and review the track in the project.
The Edit screenshot shows fade durations in seconds. These controls apply to the selected material, not automatically to transitions between every playlist entry.
Layer background music inside the selected track. Mixing is different from arranging separate tracks on the disc.
Select the source, choose Cut, open Mix, and select Load Music.
Choose the added music entry and review Start, End, and Adjust Volume. Enable Fade in, Fade out, or Repeat music when appropriate.
Preview the balance so speech or the main music remains clear. Select OK to return to the disc project.
The Mix screenshot has no added music selected, so its detailed controls are inactive. Load and select the music before adjusting them.
Shape the selected track's tone with a preset or individual frequency bands.
Select the track, choose Cut, and open Equalizer.
Use Preset equal or the Custom settings bands. The screenshot shows ten bands from 31 to 16K, covering approximately 31 Hz to 16 kHz.
Make small changes and preview a representative passage, including louder sections. Avoid excessive boosts across several bands, then select OK.
Apply an optional sound effect or pitch change to the selected material before burning.
Select the track, choose Cut, and open Change of Voice.
Review presets such as Boy, Girl, Monster, Cartoon, Reverb, Echo, or Indoor. Use Pitch for the desired tone.
Preview a complete spoken phrase or musical passage. Keep the original source and select OK only when the processed sound suits the disc.
Use reverse playback as a deliberate effect on the selected audio, not for an ordinary music disc.
Choose the track, open Cut, and select Edit.
Enable Reverse audio and preview the retained section. Check its Start and End boundaries as well as the direction of playback.
Select OK if the effect is intended. Leave Reverse audio off when you want the original forward-playing sound.
Select the actual writable drive when the result should be a physical listening disc.
Review Profile and insert media that the recorder and destination player support. Use Audio CD with appropriate CD media for a traditional CD player.
Choose the writable drive in Destination. Make APE Image File and Make BIN Image File save files and are not physical burners.
Recheck the tracks and capacity, then select Start. Keep the recorder connected and the PC awake until completion, then test playback on the intended player.
The screenshots were taken with file-output destinations visible. When a recorder is connected, confirm its actual drive entry rather than selecting an image destination and expecting the blank disc to change.
Save Audio CD output on the PC without writing blank media immediately.
Set Profile to Audio CD, add the source tracks, review their order, and finish the sound adjustments.
In Destination, select Make BIN Image File or Make APE Image File.
Review Output Folder and choose the intended save location and filename. Use a writable drive with enough space, select Start, and check the finished files.
These Audio CD destination choices are shown in the screenshot. Do not rename a BIN or APE file to ISO; changing an extension does not convert the output. See create an Audio CD image for a focused example.
Complete and test one disc before producing more copies from the same music collection.
Play representative tracks on the intended player. Check the sequence, track endings, and any fades or mixed audio.
Retain the same files, profile, track order, edits, and recorder destination. Review any copy-count option offered by the installed version before starting the next burn.
Insert the next compatible blank when requested and wait for completion. A single recorder writes one disc at a time; keep checking media and playback during the batch.
For a later batch, retain the original sources and a record of their order and edits. See burn multiple Audio CDs for a repeat-production checklist.
Reuse supported rewritable media only after confirming that its current contents can be removed.
Confirm the selected recorder and the type of media inserted. CD-RW can be rewritten, while CD-R cannot be erased and reused in the same way.
Copy any contents you need elsewhere. Use the application's rewritable-media erase option when available, confirm the intended disc, and wait for the operation to finish.
Recheck the profile, capacity, and recorder destination, then make a test disc. Confirm that the destination player accepts the rewritable media as well as the chosen disc format.
Erasing removes the existing disc contents. The supplied images do not show an erase dialog, so no unpictured button label or erase-mode setting is assumed.
A completed write does not confirm that the disc will play correctly on every device. Test the hardware it was made for.
Insert the completed disc in the intended car stereo, home player, or portable player. Navigate forward and back; for MP3/WMA discs, check folder and filename sorting.
Play the first, middle, and final tracks. Check trimmed openings, endings, fades, sound balance, and any mixed or voice-processed material.
Use the checks below to review disc type, media, capacity, and edited sound. Recheck one revised disc on the target player before repeating the same burn.
| What happens | What to check next |
|---|---|
| Start stays disabled | Add a readable source, choose a Profile and valid Destination, and check capacity. For a recorder, insert writable blank media; for file output, select a writable path. |
| A file appears, but the blank CD is unchanged | Destination is an image-file option. Select the physical recorder rather than Make APE Image File or Make BIN Image File. |
| The disc works on the PC, not in the car | Check disc type, media, and file-format support in the stereo manual. Use Audio CD for a traditional CD-only player. |
| An Audio CD playlist is too long | Compare playing time, not compressed source sizes. Shorten the list, trim unwanted sections, or divide it across discs. |
| MP3/WMA tracks play in an unexpected order | Check the player's folder and filename sorting. Use a simple structure and consistent track-number prefixes. |
| Sound is distorted after editing | Compare with the original and reduce volume or equalizer boosts. Preview a loud passage before burning again. |
| Writing fails or the last track skips | Check the drive connection, disc condition, and capacity. Try compatible blank media, keep the computer awake, and test the next disc before making more copies. |
Check the writable drive, source list, and destination when Start is unavailable or the recorder is missing.
Confirm that the CD/DVD recorder is connected and recognized as a writable drive. Reconnect an external burner if needed, then reopen the application.
Insert compatible writable blank media, choose the correct Profile, and select the drive in Destination. Close another program using that recorder.
Add a readable source and keep the job within capacity. For file output, choose a writable path in Output Folder instead of looking for a blank disc.
The empty-workspace screenshot has Start disabled. Check both the project inputs and the chosen destination before trying again.
Compare the edited sound with its original before burning another disc.
Play the source and the prepared version at a similar listening level. Check a loud passage as well as the beginning.
In Cut > Edit, reduce an excessive Adjust Volume setting. Review boosts in Equalizer and the added music's volume in Mix.
Preview the revised track, select OK, and review the disc project. Avoid repeatedly applying stronger boosts to an already distorted source.
Locate the files created by a file-output destination, then check them with software that supports their format.
Check Output Folder and the filename used for the completed job. Compare the extension with the selected Make BIN Image File or Make APE Image File destination.
Confirm that the output exists and preserve any companion files generated with it. Keep the original music tracks and a record of the playlist and edits separately.
Choose a tool that accepts the saved format and check the intended sound or disc layout. To make a physical disc directly in this guide, return to the recorder destination.
Saving BIN or APE output does not mean a blank disc has been written. It also does not replace the source tracks needed for later playlist changes.
Choose Audio CD in Profile and select your disc burner in Destination. Audio CD creates the music-disc format used by traditional CD players. Data CD/DVD stores files and requires a player that supports those file formats.
Use the Data CD/DVD profile with MP3 files and writable CD media. Keep the collection within the disc's file-size capacity and check that the destination player supports MP3 from that type of disc. The Profile menu shown in this guide lists Audio CD and Data CD/DVD, not a separate MP3 CD entry.
An Audio CD is limited by playing time rather than the original MP3 or FLAC file size. A common Audio CD holds up to about 80 minutes, depending on the media. Compare the total track duration with the software's capacity scale; remove tracks, trim sections, or use another disc if the list is too long.
Yes. GiliSoft MP3 CD Maker accepts audio sources such as MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, and APE, and supported video sources such as MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, FLV, and MPEG. Video input contributes its soundtrack; an Audio CD does not include the video's picture.
Yes. Select the track and open Cut. The Edit tab has Start, End, volume, speed, fade-in, fade-out, and reverse controls. The Mix tab has Load Music, timing, volume, fades, and Repeat music. Preview the result and select OK to return to the disc project.
Destination was set to an image-file option. With Audio CD selected, Make APE Image File and Make BIN Image File save output to your PC. To write a physical CD, insert a blank disc and choose the disc recorder as Destination instead.
The car stereo may not support the chosen disc type, recordable media, or MP3/WMA encoding. Confirm its specifications. For a traditional CD player, use Audio CD on supported CD media rather than an MP3 data disc or a DVD, and test the completed disc in the actual stereo.
Add a readable source file, choose a valid Profile and Destination, and check that the selected disc has enough capacity. For a physical burn, Windows must recognize a writable drive and compatible blank media. A read-only CD/DVD drive cannot burn discs; for file output, check that the destination folder is writable.
GiliSoft MP3 CD Maker is paid Windows software with a trial download. The Buy Now buttons in this guide link to the official purchase page and show the lifetime license for 1 PC at $34.95. Check the selected plan at checkout.
Mix layers added music inside the selected source track. Use the main source list to arrange the disc sequence. Repeat music in Mix repeats the added background music; it is not a command to repeat the entire disc playlist or crossfade every track.
The Edit screenshot shows Adjust Speed but no preserve-pitch switch. Listen to both rate and tone after a change and review the resulting duration. Change of Voice provides separate presets and Pitch controls for deliberate sound changes.
Prepare the tracks, choose the right disc format, and burn with GiliSoft MP3 CD Maker. Create a listening copy for the car, home, or a compatible music player.
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