How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

[TheBitSlinger]

I've read several threads here about burning gapless MP3 data cds, but most threads are pretty old and I couldn't find a comprehensive answer.

I've got audio cassette tapes of the Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy BBC radio play. I transferred the audio to WAV format and have spruced it up, etc., divided the large WAV files into manageable tracks, normalized them, and then created MP3 files. When I cut up the WAV file, I made sure there were no gaps from the end of file to the beginning of the next.

Of course, I burned an MP3 data cd (disk-at-once), put the CD in my JVC CD receiver in my car, and then proceeded to listen Arthur Dent's adventures unfold with distracting gaps in the action.

I would appreciate any suggestions anyone would care to offer!

Thanks!
Phil Jones

[xoas]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

If you play this disk on your computer do you hear gaps between the tracks? If so are you playing the disc on a program that you know will play gapless tracks without a gap?

If the answer to both these questions is yes, then I would ask of you prepared this disc using the older r2 version of CD Writer (which relies on the Legacy codecs) or the r3 beta version of CD Writer (which works with Music Converter r12+)? If you were using the earlier version of CD Writer you might try using the r3 beta.

I would also recommend playing some single tracks to confirm whether there is some loss of auto at either the beginning or at the end of your mp3 tracks. In this case you will have to reconvert them from wave.

If you are having gaps in the middle of a track, then you would have a conversion problem and looking at your conversion settings might well be in order.

If your mp3 tracks are complete and if you can play the disc without gaps on an appropriate program on your computer, then I would consider that maybe the gaps are due to your car's CD receiver. Technically both versions of CD Writer can create what should be gapless mp3 CDs but many players will still insert little gaps between tracks.

Those are my thoughts. If you can provide further details based on the above, perhaps we can help you find a better solution to your problem.

Best wishes,
Bill

[TheBitSlinger]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

Thank you for your response, Bill!

Yes, I've played the tracks in WinAmp (direct from the harddrive), and they play flawlessly, without any gaps between tracks. I don't seem to have lost any audio signal on any of the tracks.

Here's how I produced the MP3 data cd:

. AudioGrabber to capture original signal to WAV, using algorithmix easytools to clean up the signal.

. Used WavePad to do some editing

. Used WavSplitter to do direct-from-disk splits.

. Used dbPowerAmp r12 (registered version) to create MP3, bitrate 192, sampled 44.1.

. Last attempt at burning an MP3 data cd was with Nero, using 2nd fastest speed and disk-at-once.

Play back in car is on JVC KD-AR270.

Now, I haven't tried to listen to the CD using WinAmp. I guess that would have made too much sense. :-p

From what I've seen through Goggle search, I'm guessing that I may just have to leave the original WAV output as one big file.

Thanks in advance!
Phil

[LtData]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

With Nero, make sure the pause between tracks is set to 0, or, in Nero 7, the box for not inserting gaps is checked.

[xoas]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

Is your tape broken up into separate episodes from the original radio broadcasts, or what (Hitchhiker's Guide has had several incarnations so I cannot be sure whether you are working from the version I am familiar with - the original broadcasts as they were re-broadcast on National Public Radio maybe 26 years ago - or some other version)?
How long is/are your original tape(s)? How did you determine the size of your individual tracks?

The alternative to the one big file approach (would would remove the issue of gaps between tracks but would also make it more difficult to keep track of where you are or how to pick up the story where you last left off) would be to be more strategic in terms of where to place the breaks so that the gaps would not be as annoying (assuming that the gaps are being inserted by your player, an assumption that awaits further testing).

Best wishes,
Bill

[TheBitSlinger]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

I did confirm that the MP3 data CD that I burned WILL playback on my PC in WinAmp without any gaps. So, I guess it's my car's CD receiver.

The original radio play is broken up into approximately 30 minutes episodes, and that's how I ripped from cassette. As I went through and did the splits, I aimed for about 6 minutes per track, but I did try to pick areas of relative silence. With radio plays, there just aren't many areas of near silence.

My version of Nero (v6) is an OEM version. When I go to burn the MP3 CD, it does not give any option regarding gaps, under properties, in the GUI, etc. It will give the option if I'm mastering a CDA though.

[xoas]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

So I think we can figure that the gaps are a playback problem, not a problem with Nero or other burner. If your other programs can handle it, I would go for each track/file being as long as a single episode. Such tracks might be hard to manage during the editing process but it would minimize the impact of the gaps.

Would it be right to assume that your principle problem is the little click between the gaps and not other things (such as different loudness for different tracks)?

Best wishes,
Bill

[TheBitSlinger]

Re: How do I burn an MP3 data cd with gapless tracks?

Yes, you're absolutely correct on both scores. It is a playback problem and the solution is to have long tracks.

I've also noticed gapped playback on my Ultra Hydra MP3 player. Heretofore, I had only used the player for music files, where a gap is normal.

Next CD receiver and MP3 player I get, I'm going to bear this issue in mind.

My principle problem with the gaps is that there is a complete break in the signal between tracks. If there is soundtrack music playing, it gets interrupted briefly, and if Arthur Dent is telling off Ford Perfect, his speech drops out. Generally, I'm able to edit out any clicks that come from frame padding, etc. I tend to be Mr. Monk about clicks and pops. It's a curse.

I have some audio books I've converted to digital format. As the signal is composed of narrative data only, and since I clean out any background hiss, gaps are not an issue since I always assure that track splits occur during narrative breaks.

For me, it's only radio plays that have this issue. I can see though that live music recordings would have the same issue.

I wonder if the WMA format has the same issue? Think I'll burn a test disc and see.