Yes, you read that title right. Creating a balanced, flowing mix cd is an art-form; One that requires patience, a dash of perfectionism, and a love of music. Here are some tips on how to make an awesome mix CD, be it for your friend or a bird you really fancy.
- Choose a fitting opening song
- Switch things up
- Don't add songs just because you can
- If you like the person you're making this mix for, don't spell it out
- Throw some The Shins on there!
- But seriously... don't expect the world
You should always try to start a cd off on the right foot. If you open with a less-than-stellar song, you're going to be giving anyone who listens to your mix a one-way ticket to skipsville. Maybe choose a song that opens up an album really well or a song that really keeps your attention and builds anticipation and adrenaline.
THE RIGHT WAY: Track 1 - Billy Joel - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
THE WRONG WAY: Track 1 - Metallica - Shoot Me Again
Make sure your mix has a lot of dynamics and range. Don't just choose hard-rocking fun songs. Throw a few ballads on there. Choose songs with different tempos, energy levels, and styles. It really makes your mix more interesting for the listener and you'll feel cool for having all this different on one disk. You'll think to yourself: "Wow, it's like Lil Wayne and Foo Fighters had a jam session and I was invited!"
THE RIGHT WAY: After a couple fast songs, slowing things down with a more thought-provoking piece.
THE WRONG WAY: No deviation. This mix needs to stay funk-rock driven and that's final!
Simple really. You don't have to make a mix 80 minutes just because that is the limit of a CD-R. Bottom line: Maybe it's best to stick with A+ plus songs on only and end up with a nice 60 minute mix. But maybe if the chick you're making this mix for really digs your musical style, you can get away with a bloated mix. Use caution.
THE RIGHT WAY: Wow, there is no filler on here at all. A nice compact collection of my favorite songs!
THE WRONG WAY: Hmm, I still have 8 minutes left on this piece. I'll throw on some Limp Bizkit songs.
Now I may not know much about women (what the Hell is a labia, anyways?)... but I do know a lot about sucessfully serenading a woman via a mix cd. Don't be too forward and add that Boyz II Men song "Want To Sex Ya (Right Now)" no matter how much it expresses your true feelings. Honestly, being too straightforward in that manner with someone you are getting to know will come off as creepy and makes you look very sketchy.
THE RIGHT WAY: Beach Boys songs are cute and unthreatening but show you really like this chica.
THE WRONG WAY: Prince - Do Me, Baby
If Garden State taught us anything, it's that New Slang will win you the affections of any girl (if you're into that sort of thing).
THE RIGHT WAY: Any "Shins" song.
THE WRONG WAY: A song that is not by The Shins
What I mean by that is... don't expect people to rant and rave to you about how amazing your cd is. There is a good chance that people won't even give your compilations a real shot and spin it a couple of times. So why do we do it? Why do we create these playlists of perfection for an undeserving, fickle public?
Because when people do appreciate your mixes, it's really worth it. There is nothing like listening to a mix you made with someone and seeing how much they enjoy it. It's a very cool thing to do for someone and if you enjoy your mix more than the recipient you can always save the playlist for yourself. ;) Don't just do this for someone else... you should enjoy your mix cds too.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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nice dude your "Wrong Way"s were lol like Shoot Me Again. i would never put that anywhere on a mix