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Ok - here ya go.
CUE File Tutorial - Cutting Gaps in Dance Livesets
The problem:
Dance / electronic livesets are continuously mixed, with no audible gaps between tracks. Commercial compilation CD's come with cue gaps imbedded in the CD so you can skip from track to track, again with no audible gaps.
Public domain livesets - unmodified - are all read by the CD players as Track 1: if you hit the skip button, you will always go back to the beginning.
Nobody wants this. Very annoying. Big problem if you are really into downloading public domain livesets, and want to have usable CD's
So:
What is the most efficient way to put the cue gaps in your downloaded sets, and burn them to CD?
Answer:
1 - Place the gaps in the MP3 (or wav) file manually, by choosing where each track ends and the next one begins
2 - Create a CUE file from this information. CUE files (.cue extension) are what a CD burning program will use to burn the gaps onto your CD.
3 - Burn the MP3 / wav onto a CD using the CUE file
Method:
You will need the following programs
1 - MP3DirectCut
Freeware - use this to
a. Go thru your MP3 or wav file, and choose where to put your gaps
b. Create your CUE file
2 - CDR Win or Nero -
Commercial programs - not hard to get - CD burning programs that will allow you to burn the CD with your CUE file information
Install the programs, then ...
Step by Step:
1 - Open MP3 Direct Cut. Open your MP3 or wav file (File, Open)
2 - OK. You will see a visual representation of your file, peaks. You can also play the file and listen as you go through.
Figure this out: play the file, use the buttons to skip through, listen, and look at the waveform to decide where to put your gaps. The first one (beginning of file) is set automatically.
3 - When you find a place where you want to put your gap, click your mouse on the waveform at that exact spot. DO NOT DRAG (keep it a thin blue line) Then click the 'Cut' button on the bottom left of the program.
This will change the blue line to orange. Continue on through your file until you place an orange gap between all of the tracks.
NOTE: MP3 Direct Cut also allows you to modify the ID3 - Artist, Name information.... allows you to fade the file in (get rid of annoying radio announcers) and fade out .... allows you to easily split long MP3 files in half or however many pieces you want. Explore it - it does a lot.
4 - If you are done with the MP3 / wave, do a SAVE AS on this file with a new name (put a CUT at the end of the filename or something ... "my-liveset-CUT.mp3) This is, in case there is a problem and you want to get back to the original to change the gaps.
5 - When you are done with this - go to "Special --> Save Cue Sheet and Edit with Notepad" on the menu
Save this CUE sheet in the same directory as your file! (important)
When it comes up in Notepad, you will see the code for the CUE sheet. Simple stuff.
Make sure the filename at the top reflects the name of your saved file (with the new filename)
You will also see where to type in the Artist / Name, and if you have a setlist, you will see where to put the names of the tracks. (near TITLE).
Careful modifying this file, if you screw it up the burner will error out.. Then save.
Now:
6 - Open CDR-Win or Nero. I will give the tutorial for CDR-WIN
7 - In CDRWin, click on Record CD. Then click Load Cuesheet on the right.
8 - Then click Record CD.
Your liveset will now be cut with the fade-ins, fade outs, inaudible gaps between tracks, and you can skip thru the set just like a commercial CD
In Nero I believe you need to Burn Image, and choose your CUE sheet as the image to burn. Same basic process otherwise.
Hope this helps
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one solution for tracking a mix
