In order to broadcast you'll need MP3 formatted audio files (they have the extension ".mp3" just like documents have a ".doc" extension). You can find MP3s by searching the Web. Many of your favorite songs are free and available for downloading directly onto your computer. You can also convert any song from your CD collection to an MP3 file by following the steps below.
First, download and install a software program called a CD "ripper" which will convert the songs you select to MP3 files. You can find assorted rippers on the Web, some are free and those that aren't usually offer a trial period or standard version before buying. To make it easy for you, we're including full instructions for MusicMatch Jukebox, which you can download at http://www.musicmatch.com/download. Please note this file is pretty big at over 4 MB so it may take a while if you're on a slow connection.
Hint: When you download MusicMatch, you will be asked to "run this program..." or "save this file to disk." Choose "run this program..." Follow the installation instructions to complete.
Next...you're ready to start ripping! Most rippers will have instructions on how to rip and save MP3s. If you downloaded and installed MusicMatch, you can follow the instructions below.
Organizing your MP3s will make your life a lot easier when you broadcast. The MusicMatch Jukebox has a default setting that places MP3s into separate folders for each CD you rip. You don't want that. Trust us. What you want to do is save all your MP3s in one folder or several folders that make sense to you.
To do this, open your MusicMatch Jukebox program (click on the icon on your desktop, or find it under your "start" menu), select "Options" (at the top of the Jukebox) then "Settings", and then "Recorder". In the "Recorder" section select "Songs Directory". You should now be in the "New Songs Directory Options" section. Under "Make Sub-Path using:", uncheck both "Artist" and "Album."
Now you're ready to create a new folder for your MP3s or put them in a folder that already exists in your file directory. In the little window under "Directory For New Songs:" you can either type a file path for a new or existing folder or click the "..." button next to the window to access to your directory.
Hint: Creating a new folder on your desktop is the easiest way to access your MP3s when broadcasting. To do this, either type in the file path with a new folder name or click on the "..." button and select "desktop". Be sure to add a "\" and a folder name at the end of the file path to create a new folder. Click "OK".
Insert a CD into the CD drive on your computer. After a few seconds, you should see all the tracks on the CD appear in the" Recorder" section of the Jukebox. You may need to click the "rec" button to see this window. Now, select the ones you want to rip by clicking in the corresponding check boxes. You can unselect a track by clicking the check box again. To rip all the tracks on the CD, select 'All'. Click "OK".
