Importing CDs for gapless playback

Article

Importing CDs for gapless playback

Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-, iPhone-, iPad-, iTunes-, or Apple TV-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.

View the complete Ask iLounge archives...

Q: I am an aerobics instructor and I would like to use my iPod to import my professional CD’s without having breaks between the tracks. Is there a way to do that?

- Gail

A: Using iTunes 7 or later with a fifth-generation iPod with the latest firmware, or a second-generation iPod nano, CDs that already have no gaps between the tracks will import and play gaplessly without any additional effort required. Note, however, that this only applies to CDs that are already gapless in their original format. CDs that have not been mastered to play back gaplessly will still play on the iPod with a small gap between the tracks.

Further, even gapless albums will play with small gaps between the tracks when played in “Shuffle” mode on the iPod, or mixed into a playlist in non-track order.

The issue in this case is that CDs that are not originally mastered for gapless playback often have a small amount of silence embedded in the tracks themselves (ie, as part of the audio stream), and iTunes cannot really do anything to remove this silence if it forms part of the actual audio track.

One possible workaround that may help with some CDs, depending on the nature of the source material, is to rip them using the “Join CD Tracks” feature of iTunes, which will take all contiguous tracks from a CD and combine them into a single large MP3 file. This was discussed in our July 12th Ask iLounge column. Alternatively, if you already have a set of existing MP3 files that you would like to join in a different order into a single track, there are several tools already available that can do this for you. A Google search for “MP3 join” should turn up several possibilities.

Note that how successful the results of this process are will depend on the source files and whether they have any extra silence embedded in the tracks themselves.

The most asked question at iLounge.com:

How do I copy content from my iPod/iPhone onto my computer?

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, Apple TV and iPhone Video Formats

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Mac)

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Win)

Best Speakers?

Best Headphones?

Best Case?

Best In-Car Solution?

Best Battery Extender?

Find more answers in the latest publications in our Library. Free downloads developed by the editors of iLounge!

Ask iLounge Archives:

5-16-13: Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone

5-15-13: Setting up a ringtone in iTunes

5-14-13: Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad

5-13-13: Backing up and restoring an iPod classic

5-10-13: Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode

View the complete Ask iLounge archives...

« Tethering iPhone

Set Video Kind within files »

Comments

If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.

Recent Reviews

New Deals

Shop for Accessories: Cases, speakers, chargers, etc.

iLounge

Article