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A Perfect CD Compilation

Looking to make that perfect cd mix/playlist? Follow these simple tips/steps to ensure your audience is interested and attracted!

Tips:

  • Don’t always focus on a genre and a theme. Putting widely different tracks in a compilation can add compelling contrast for the listener.
  • The most important thing is to burn early drafts on a CD and to listen to the mix yourself, from beginning to end, to better imagine what your intended audience will think when they listen to it. Listen in as many different places and speakers as possible: your computer speakers, your car stereo, cheap headphones, high-quality headphones, etc. Keep a notepad with you to write down ideas to improve it.
  • With advanced CD burning software, it’s possible to merge tracks, making it easy to insert sound clips (such as quotes from movies) between tracks. Merge the sound clip to the start of the track to make the CD more interesting.
  • Making cover art or creative liner notes can make the compilation more personal. @Kinwood Multimedia can assist with this.
  • Picking a set of songs that really define a specific (possibly current) time in your life can be appreciated later when you put on the album and are reminded of days gone by.
  • It’s possible to gradually build a mix CD. While listening to MP3s, if you come across a song that would be a good fit for a compilation, copy it over to a folder reserved just for your ongoing compilation.
  • Watch your attitude! Be certain you are in the mood you wish the CD to convey when you make the mix CD – otherwise, other feelings are likely to seep into the songs you choose.
  • Avoid picking several songs from one artist. Rather, focus on a wide range of artists. Especially try to avoid including two songs by the same artist back-to-back. Of course, there are always exceptions, such as songs that are made to be played together (such as “The Hellion” and “Electric Eye” by Judas Priest, “Depths” and “Surfacing” by Chapel Club “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions” by Queen, or “Brain Damage” and Eclipse” by Pink Floyd) and two songs that have special meaning to your intended audience when played together.
  • Make the compilation running time no longer than necessary – if possible, keep it under an hour.
  • Consider using software such as Ableton. It’s NOT cheating and will allow you to make your mix far more interesting by adding effects and looping sections as you see fit. It’s also a useful tool to get your head around should you decide to mix on the fly.
  • Another avenue to consider is having an actual DJ mix the songs for you. A friend that deejays, or a professional DJ can blend the songs together for you. Remember, there are many ways of compiling music to create compilation mixes, but to truly be a mix CD the music should be mixed – seamlessly blended from one song to another. You will need a DJ or music mixing software as previously mentioned. By mixing and blending your music you can usually fit many more songs onto the CD than normally possible, since you will not be playing each song in its entirety. This also makes the mix CD more exciting and is preferred when making party mixes to play for your friends.

Steps

  1.  

    Listen to a wide range of songs. If you want to expand your music library before you start making playlists, check out services that can recommend new artists to you. See Sources and Citations below for some ideas.

     
  2.  

    Consider the audience. Is this compilation for yourself? Your friends? A significant other? Select music that’s appropriate for the tastes of the listener. Your grandma might not like a compilation of your favorite death metal songs, but she may enjoy rare jazz recordings from when she was young.

     
  3.  

    Create a message with the mix (optional). Do you want your playlist to let someone know how you feel about him or her? If so, listen carefully to the lyrics of each song that you include in the mix, and make sure they’re aligned with what you’re feeling.

     
  4.  

    Gather a rough draft. Assemble a “rough draft” of your playlist by compiling a lot of songs you’re thinking about including. You probably won’t use all of them in the end, but this step helps you narrow down your options.

     
  5.  

    Edit the playlist (optional). If you gathered more songs than you needed for your playlist or mix, start eliminating those that aren’t a perfect fit. Are the lyrics slightly wrong? Does the music make the song fit poorly with the other songs? Could someone use this song to misinterpret your meaning? Ask yourself these questions as you think about what to cut.

     
  6.  

    Arrange the tracks. Think of the playlist as a prolonged listening experience – you don’t want the listener to get bored or skip songs.

    • Start out with a few tracks that grab the listener and get his or her attention.
       
    • Group songs of similar tempos together, and gradually move into slower or faster tunes.
       
    • End the mix on a high note, with one a song that you think will really stick with the listener. Tying in the last song to the theme of the compilation can make it much more effective.
     
  7.  

    Make adjustments. Finalize your track arrangement and listen to the version a few times. Feel free to remove some tracks and add others. It’s possible that you may realize new tracks you’d like to add late in the process.

     
  8.  

    Title your mix (optional). If your sharing your playlist electronically, give it a title that reflects the theme of the mix. Or, if you’re out of ideas, name it after the person you’re giving it to.

     
  9.  

    Share your compilation. When you’re happy with the mix, burn the CD or share the playlist.

 

 

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DVD/CD Packaging Represents Your Exceptional Product

During your initial DVD replication project it needs to be determined what DVD packaging solution represents the best value for your particular DVD product needs and requirements.  You need to ensured that you will receive the best value in high-quality DVD packaging and professionally printed product collateral available for your product.

DVD Packaging

The evaluatation of your DVD-ROM packaging needs are based on several criterias that include your price budget, anticipated retail and distribution plans, packaging security requirements and the general perceived value of your product. For example, if your DVD title is being sold in a retail environment, it’s imperative that the product meets the retailer’s merchandise security policies, packaging size specifications and UPC labeling location requirements. While a large majority of retail DVD titles are packaged into a black, white, or clear “Amaray style” plastic DVD cases with a custom printed DVD casewrap, and DVD insert booklet, some products benefit or require the use of a higher perceived packaging and printing solution. An example of a commonly used disc packaging solution sold for collector box sets that demand a consumer to “perceive” a product as more valuable is illustrated by the “Digi-Pack” style of DVD packaging. The Digi-Pack printed board stock with one to many inlayed plastic trays, custom embossed foil, and multiple disc storage trays only one of hundreds of DVD packaging solutions that aim to increase the perceived value of your DVD product. While some DVD titles maybe adequately packaged into a paper envelope with a see through window, expensive video game titles may require security packaging.

REMEMBER:

The purpose of custom packaging is to promote your product or business to potential customers and clients. The exterior of this project is the first impression of what you’re offering. Customizing is the perfect way to promote your business while offering an attractive finish for your supplemental material.

 

 

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Kinwood is an Environmentally Responsible Company

Kinwood Multimedia has adopted many environmental initiatives through the years and is proud to have aligned ourselves with a leading Environmentally Friendly Canadian Manufacturer. Through the many processes involved in the manufacturing of CDs, DVDs, plastic cards and commercial print products the plant has always been sensitive to the need for cleaner technologies, recycling programs, training, education and accountability throughout each department.

Waterless Offset Press w/ UV Inks
With the addition of a five colour offset waterless press the ability to print with UV inks / UV drying allows them the opportunity to maintain a higher level of environmentally friendly print production than traditional printers with traditional presses. The waterless press allows for less use of solvents and chemicals in cleaning and cutting of the inks. UV inks and coating are completely solid and friendlier to the environment since they are free from VOCs and HAPs (Hazardous Airborne Particles).
The UV printing process requires similar or lower electrical power than Infrared/Thermal Air Systems. It yields less ink and wash-up waste than conventional print since there is no waste from incidental drying.
Traditionally presses use approximately 300-500 sheets of paper to set up or “make ready” prior to printing while the KBA Waterless press only uses between 20-30 sheets. This results in only 10% of the industry norms in make ready which equates to a substantial reduction in paper usage, thousands of trees saved, considerably less electricity and ink consumption used annually.
Enviro-Stock
Stock inventories include our many options in environmentally friendly paper and board stocks while continuing to seek out the next generation of Enviro-stocks. From 40% post consumer stocks to 100% recycled board products. Also, these eco friendly options are available (at no extra charge) for all our CD digipaks, DVD digipaks, CD printed materials, DVD printed materials, DVD trapsheets, DVD slipsheets, CD and DVD inserts, and CD cardboard sleeve packaging for all CD duplication, CD replication, DVD duplication and DVD replication projects (big and small).

Recycling Programs are numerous and in place throughout the company; from the traditional office and employee recyclables through to the recycling of films, metal plates, chemicals, paper products, discarded CDs and discarded DVDs helping secure the company as a steward of the environment. If you have extra CD media or DVD media from your CD Duplication, CD Replication, DVD Duplication or DVD Replication project, you can return the discs to us to have them properly recycled by us on your behalf.

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How effective is a video communication?

According to National Training Laboratory Institute for Applied Behavioural Science  effective teaching methods are:

Seeing or hearing a lecture – 5% knowledge retention
Reading – 10% knowledge retention

Video– 20% knowledge retention
Demonstration– 30% knowledge retention
Practice by Doing – 75% knowledge retention

This means that video and demonstrations have a higher effectiveness than simply being told something or reading something on a memo.

This is especially effective in advertising, but works very well in business. For example, companies who need to tell a story, promote a new product or service,  training, communicate to current or potential clients or keep your employees informed of changes or upcoming events.

Video is an invaluable resource that can be distributed on flash drives, on disc, on tape.  video stream etc.  Many people are visual learners and these videos
can be great ways to not only reach people, but ensure they’ll remember the information presented.

 

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