How to Make a Perfect Mix Tape or CD

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

A compilation of songs burned onto a CD or arranged in a playlist can be a thoughtful gift for someone you appreciate. If well done, a thoughtfully arranged mix tape will convey appreciation for your recipient as well as awe them with your fantastic taste. All you have to do is know the person you're making it for, include a wide range of songs, and arrange the music in a pleasant and logical way.

Steps

1
Listen to a wide range of songs. If you want to expand your music library before you start making playlists, check out services that can recommend new artists to you.
2
Consider the audience. Is this compilation for yourself? Your friends? A significant other? Select music that's appropriate for the tastes of the listener. Your grandma might not like a compilation of your favorite death metal songs, but she may enjoy rare jazz recordings from when she was young.^{[1]
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3
Create a message with the mix (optional). Do you want your playlist to let someone know how you feel about him or her? If so, listen carefully to the lyrics of each song that you include in the mix, and make sure they're aligned with what you're feeling.^{[2]
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4
Gather a rough draft. Assemble a "rough draft" of your playlist by compiling a lot of songs you're thinking about including. You probably won't use all of them in the end, but this step helps you narrow down your options.^{[3]
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5
Edit the playlist (optional). If you gathered more songs than you needed for your playlist or mix, start eliminating those that aren't a perfect fit. Are the lyrics slightly wrong? Does the music make the song fit poorly with the other songs? Could someone use this song to misinterpret your meaning? Ask yourself these questions as you think about what to cut.
6
Arrange the tracks. Think of the playlist as a prolonged listening experience - you don't want the listener to get bored or skip songs.
- Start out with a few tracks that grab the listener and get his or her attention.
- Group songs of similar tempos together, and gradually move into slower or faster tunes.
- End the mix on a high note, with one a song that you think will really stick with the listener. Tying in the last song to the theme of the compilation can make it much more effective.^{[4]
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7
Make adjustments. Finalize your track arrangement and listen to the version a few times. Feel free to remove some tracks and add others. It's possible that you may realize new tracks you'd like to add late in the process.
8
Title your mix (optional). If you're sharing your playlist electronically, give it a title that reflects the theme of the mix. Or, if you're out of ideas, name it after the person you're giving it to.
9
Share your compilation. When you're happy with the mix, burn the CD or share the playlist.

Community Q&A

Question

Lovely but how do you physically get the music?

Community Answer

If you have the music downloaded on your computer, then you can just put the CD in and add songs to it. If it's on your phone, then you can plug a charger into your computer and open your phones data, then drag the music onto your computer. In terms of getting music, check iTunes or similar online stores or raid the CD rack at your local charity store and upload the old but good songs to your computer.
Question

How do I download the music and then put it onto the CD?

Community Answer

You can use things like an mp3 converter, which essentially takes a link of a YouTube video (the url) and converts it into a sound file. You can then save that onto your computer/laptop, which you can transfer onto a CD. Also see How to Download Music and How to Burn a CD.
Question

What software can you use?

Community Answer

You can use any media player/media library, such as Windows Media Player or iTunes.

Warnings

Make sure you are getting all of your music from a legitimate website, or online store, if that is how you purchase your music!

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There's really no such thing as the definitive, be-all, end-all, perfect mix CD. The guidelines established here are things to keep in mind to help you mold your CD into being, not a list of rules that are meant to be strictly adhered to. Play around, try new things, be creative, but always take your audience into consideration or all of your hard work will be for nothing!

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