Making and caring for your Freestyle CD's
By: Tony Hunt of
Tony Hunt Productions Tel: 082 900 9845
Choice of media
The best media to use is CDR. While CDRW (RW = Re Writeable) can be erased and reused, they are not compatible with most CD players. Also do not use DVD R or RW as these will only play on DVD players.
Format to Record
CD's to play on standard CD players must be recorded in CD compatible format, most CD burning software will burn in CD format if you click "make audio disc". Do not burn your discs in mp3 format as this cannot be played back on standard CD players.
Closing the disc
When burning your CD, always CLOSE the CD. This means that no more data can be written to the disc, but if your disc is not closed, it will not play on a standard CD player.
Caring for your CD's
CD's are easily damaged if not handled correctly. The label surface can easily be scratched and if this scratch goes right through, the data on the disc will be lost and it will not play, or will play and then skip when the scratch is reached. CD's should be handled with care and kept in their cases when not in use, and not allowed to collect dust. They should not be dropped, slid around or left in direct sun, as the heat can warp the disc.
Labeling your CD
Your CD needs to be correctly labeled for a Freestyle. It must have the horse's name clearly marked on it with either a CD pen marker, or printed with the newer printers on the market. It should also say what level the Freestyle is, i.e. novice, medium etc. This is so that the technician can easily identify which disc to play for a given competitor.
Preparing for the show
In addition to your show disc, you need to have a backup CD as well as a backup cassette tape in case the CD player has a problem with your discs. The cassette tape must be ready rewound to the start of your music, as there will be little time to set it up if it needed. Your cassette tape should be labeled on the correct side of the casette tape itself, not just on the cassette tape box.
What could be wrong?
Disc skips and jumps or stops in the middle of the test.
Disc is scratched and damaged - replace (at show backup will be used)
Disc does not play
Disc recorded in the wrong format or has not been closed. - Record in CD format or close disc (at show cassette tape will be used)
Disc playback volume is too low
Audio track recorded at too low a volume level - Record your track at 0dB or even at
-3dB for a safety margin before clipping. This is done with the normalizing function on the software. (At shows it will just be played as loud as the PA will allow)
Volume level changes between paces
Volume of recorded tracks differs between music tracks - Each piece of music used needs to be normalized before putting the whole Freestyle track together. (At shows, the technician will try to keep levels as steady as the PA can handle)
There are gaps between my tracks.
The different paces have been recorded as separate tracks on the CD. CD players all read the disc info differently, and can put as much as 2 seconds between tracks. Always record your Freestyle as one music track on the CD.
The wrong music plays at a show.
You have recorded more than one track on the disc. It is best to have a separate disc for each of your horses, so as to have only one track on a disc. This way only the correct track can be played.
Always remember to test your CD's on as many different players as possible to be sure that you have got them right. It causes all sorts of problems at a show if your disc is faulty. Hand your 2 discs and your cassette in together to the sound technician as early as you can, so they can get the discs into order and test that they read in the CD player. If you only hand in your music during the event, there is no time until your riding time to test the disc.
To all of you out there who are putting together a Freestyle, if in doubt, ask someone who has experience and can give you the advice you need. It can be a lot of fun doing a Freestyle, as well as a lot of hard work. It is a pity to spoil it by having problems with your disc.
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