Burrrn

[Mark]

On of the problems with the MP3 format is that it always creates a short silence at the end of each track.  This is an unavoidable side effect of the MP3 algorithm, for normal albums this is not a problem as there is always a break between the tracks.  However on a mixed CD this is a problem as when the MP3s are recorded back to a CD the track transitions are not seamless like they would be on an original CD.

The track transitions varies from a very short click (the best) or a half second gap (the worst) depending which encoding software is used to code the MP3. 

The solution to this is to use a CUE sheet and a single MP3.  This is done by recording a single MP3 of the whole mixed album and then create a text file which contains the track pointers.  This allows CD creation software to record the disc with tracks from a single MP3, with seamless track transitions.

This all sounds very simple, and main stream CD creation software such as Roxio and Nero support CUE sheets, so in theory you should just open up the software and create a new audio CD from the CUE sheet in the same way you would for an ISO image.

However both Roxio and Nero seem to struggle with CUE sheet images, sometimes they work and more than often they don't.

So I've been looking round for some new CD software that works well with CUE sheet, and I came across this great little freeware program called Burrrn.  It's available from http://www.burrrn.net/, once installed it associates CUE sheet with the Burrrn program and recording them to CD is as simple as double clicking on the CUE sheet in explorer, letting Burrrn load up and pressing the Burn button.

One great little feature Burrrn has is it automatically creates CD text for each track name from the track name in the CUE sheet.  This is really nice if you have a personal CD player that supports CD text.

If you use MP3 with CUE sheets this program is a must, download it and have a go yourself!!

[Cache-man]

Thanks a great little tool Butch, that I've never even heard of before. But, I have now downloaded it and had a play and it works excellent. Best of al, it's freeware.

I've added it to my personal archive of essential software.

[Droylsdenian]

Good advice, I've taken it onboard, since I get my rag out with the gap between mp3's when burning to CD; Cheers!

[Mark]

Bear in mind it only works with MP3s that uses CUE sheets, if the MP3s are all individual files then the only thing you can do is either conver the files to WAV and edit out the gaps or use software like Roxio that lets you alter the track transitions.

[Cache-man]

I've been using this nifty little piece of software today, after finding Nero just couldnt handle the cue sheet.
I must say that it really couldnt be any simpler....you just double click the cue sheet and burrrn opens up with all the data from the cue sheet....then just click on burrrn, and thats it, it burns everything straight to disk.

i would highly recommend this, and would give it 5 out of 5.for doing exactly what it says on the tin, and doing very easily.

[Mark]

Told you it was good,
Nero and Roxio just can't seem to handle cue sheets.  Occasionally they work must most of the time they don't.

[Sckitty]

I can't download it, i can't seem to figure it out....

[Mark]

Doh...
Fell at the first fence

Use the link in my first post and naviagate to the download section, here there's a link to the exe install package

[Sckitty]

Lol, i have found it.

[Mark]

From my time on the IT help desk I have learnt that the technical term for these kind of problems is P.E.B.K.A.C.

Problem Exisits Between Keyboard And Chair

[Sckitty]

That is usualy my case, but i am not at falt this time. It was my internet connection.

[Mark]

And here's a typical IT help desk responce........"Well it works OK on my PC"

[Sckitty]

Ya... that is why i stopped calling ITs. Most of them do not know what is going on and they need to transfer your call to someone else. By the time that you get your question answered or your problem solved it is 2-3 hours later on the phone.

[Mark]

All at a premium phone rate of course

[Sckitty]

$1.75  is my premium phone rate.