Making MP3s from your CD collection is simple, and the main reason to do so is size. A CD can hold 74 minutes of audio in traditional RBA format (the format that plays on a stereo). A CD of MP3s, though, can fit about 640 minutes of audio at near-CD quality. So if you have a CD burner handy, you can rapidly compress ten CDs into just one disc! (Unfortunately, this disc can only be played on a computer, but it's certainly easier to carry around with you.)
If you downloaded and installed MusicMatch Jukebox already, you're ready to go. If not, it's time to do so. MusicMatch Jukebox is an impressive program that lets you easily play, record, and catalog your MP3s. Download MusicMatch Jukebox. (7.25MB)
To record a CD, put it into your CD-ROM drive and start MusicMatch Jukebox. At the top of the program is a small record button. Press that, and a recorder window will pop up.
Figure A: MP3 Recorder
In the recorder window, select the files you want to turn into MP3s and hit the record button at the bottom of the program. A progress bar tells you how much of each song has been converted to MP3, and the main window tells you how fast your CD player is working. Depending on the CD-ROM drive, this process may take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes per song. MusicMatch will then add the songs to your music library window and let you listen to them immediately.
NOTE: Making MP3s is a processor-intensive task. If you experience any problems, such as error messages, try shutting down all your other programs until the MP3s are ready.
Congratulations: You're now an MP3 expert. It's time to head over to ZDNet Music Downloads and start finding those MP3s!
