<p>My son is a classical singer, who is planning to send a recording to the various colleges. I know some schools request MP3 files, which are easy to download. But a number of the schools request a CD. I have a few question about these CDs and would greatly appreciate advice. (Sorry my questions are very basic.)</p>
<ol>
<li>What kind of files should be on the CDs. Is WAV format okay? </li>
<li>How should we label the CD? Is there a program we should buy to print a label? If so please be specific with a name. Or are sharpies okay? </li>
<li>If we go the sharpie route, what information exactly should we include? Do we identify the individual tracks on the face of the CD as well? (The CDs we got from the Recording Studio just say track #1, track #2, etc.) </li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks so much for any clarity on the above!!</p>
<p>I’m in a similar position-- and I’m planning to make labels with all the info on the front as well as on the cd cover. I think as much info should be on the front as possible in case it is separated from the case. A label is so much neater that any of our printing at my house and is just looks cleaner. However, I am just to the point of figuring out which label maker to use so I can’t help. We make cds with itunes-- I’m no computer wiz but I was under the impression that the cds come out with MP3 files but are stored in itunes as MP4s. I don’t think it is really an issue as long as you are making a cd with some program and you check it in a few cd players to make sure it plays.</p>
<p>We renamed the songs on itunes with the actual names and my daughter as the artist. But that is just the digital info on the cd itself.</p>
<p>I don’t know the name of the files we use, but we import the recordings to iTunes and then burn the CD right from there.</p>
<p>As for labels, we bought CD labels by Avery at Staples/Office Max. They come with instructions on how to use them. Do read your pre-screen requiremnets very carefully on the school’s website; some schools are VERY particular about what to put on the label/case, and some don’t want anything on them.</p>
<p>Native CD format that CD players and such recognize is its own format and it is different then, for example, copying an MP3 file or .wav file onto the CD. Many CD drives can read MP3 and wav files these days.</p>
<p>That said, there are plenty of programs that allow you to take audio files in any format and burn a conventional CD, commercial programs like Nero can do this, and there are a ton of public domain programs out there on sites like CNET that can do this as well. As long as your computer as a CD read/write drive, you should be all set.</p>
<p>The easiest is what Flute suggests, import the recorded files into Itunes, then once the files show up in there, select them, and hit the ‘burn cd’ icon on the screen after putting a writable CD in the drive. Once you have done that, if the recording seems to reflect your son’s best effort, you should be all set. The really important part of this is the initial recording, the effort will only be as good as the original recording. </p>
<p>In terms of the label, as flute pointed out, you can get labels for cd’s from Staples from Avery and other companies that can be printed on almost any printer. Most of them come with some sort of software program,. or you probably can find something on CNET to be able to do it. You don’t need to go fancy, I agree with others,check what the school is asking for and following it. An admissions person told a funny story about pre screening and audition CD’s and DVD’s they have received, of people applying putting all these fancy graphics on the CD itself (with HP drives with lightscribe, you actually put the image on the CD, rather then a label), all kinds of arty things, etc…and she said while they appreciated the effort, it was a waste of time. Same with DVD’s, the recording should simply be of high recording quality that demonstrates the student’s playing, cutsey graphics and menus and banners won’t do anything, and could irritate those watching it.</p>
<p>I don’t advise against it, but some schools require (at least for flute) too much information to write it all legibly with a sharpie. You might consider buying the labels and handwriting on them in pen (much easier to read than Sharpie) if you don’t have a capable printer.</p>
<p>The person who made the CD for my daughter advised us against the labels, which he said often come unstuck and get caught in the machinery. He suggested using a fine tip Sharpie.</p>
<p>I’ve been using them for years and they come out great. It comes with Nero software which I love. This software also allows you to print out CD jackets.</p>
<p>The only downside is you have to purchase special lightwscribe CD’s and DVD’s but I think it is well worth it if you plan on making them in the future. I would NOT use labels - I’ve heard MANY times that people will not even play a CD with a label because they will not risk it getting stuck and damaging their machine. A thin Sharpie is a much better plan. </p>
<p>As far as format - give each school EXACTLY the format they request. If they can’t listen to it on their device they may never bother to even request another copy.</p>
<p>I think my daughter wrote on the CD with fine point sharpie, then made labels for the CD case with all the information that each school required. I seem to remember that she just typed the info and printed on computer paper, then cut it out and pasted on the case.</p>
<p>After you burn your CD make sure it actually plays in a traditional CD player. Sometimes the CD doesn’t burn correctly and will only play in a computer. Best to doublecheck!</p>
<p>Since CD’s were invented specifically for music, and since they are less expensive, and since the people at that school will not care, then the CD would be the obvious first choice, unless you are out of CDs then I would send a DVD, unless I was out of them also. At that point, I would purchase some more CDs and send a CD.</p>
<p>Which would make a better impression CD or DVD if you have plenty of both? Seeing stage presence may help if they are equally convenient for the school?</p>
<p>Sound quality is the most important factor so a CD is better. Don’t send a DVD if the quality is questionable or if it doesn’t give you some kind of advantage. With a DVD you will be graded on more factors such as stage presence, wardrobe, etc. and therefore introduce more uncertainty. </p>
<p>My understanding is that DVDs are desirable to prove that the entire song was done in one take with no alteration/tampering.</p>
<p>Are all of the schools to which you intend to apply willing to accept either a CD or DVD, or do any of them require video? If even one requires video, you are going to be making a DVD anyway. Depending on how that comes out, you could then decide whether to send the DVD or copy the audio track only onto a CD for the schools that will accept either. </p>
<p>If none of the schools requires video, then the question becomes which format will display your talents to best advantage. If you have above average stage presence and physical appearance (probably more important for singers interested in opera programs than for instrumentalists) then a DVD may work to your advantage. If you would prefer to be judged solely on the basis of your singing or playing, go with the CD.</p>
and is just looks cleaner. However, I am just to the point of figuring out which label maker to use so I can’t help. We make cds with itunes-- I’m no computer wiz but I was under the impression that the cds come out with MP3 files but are stored in itunes as MP4s. I don’t think it is really an issue as long as you are making a cd with some program and you check it in a few cd players to make sure it plays.</p>