Burning an audio CD on a Mac is straightforward, especially if you’re using the built-in Music app (formerly iTunes). Here’s a step-by-step guide:

What You Need

  • A Mac with a CD/DVD drive (or an external USB CD/DVD burner)

  • A blank CD-R (or CD-RW if you plan to erase/reuse)

  • Audio files in supported formats (MP3, AAC, WAV, AIFF, etc.)

  • The Music app (included in macOS)

How to Burn an Audio CD Using the Music App

Step-by-Step:

1. Open the Music app

  • You’ll find it in Applications or via Spotlight Search (Cmd + Space).

2. Create a New Playlist

  • Go to File > New > Playlist.

  • Give it a name (e.g., “Sunday Worship Set”).

3. Add Songs to the Playlist

  • Drag and drop audio files from your library or Finder into the new playlist.

Limit: Max 80 minutes of audio per standard CD-R.

4. Arrange Song Order

  • You can click and drag to reorder tracks.

5. Insert a Blank CD

  • Use a CD-R for best compatibility with CD players.

  • Wait for it to mount (you’ll see it in Finder or on the desktop).

6. Right-Click the Playlist

  • Select “Burn Playlist to Disc”.

7. Choose Burn Settings

In the dialog that appears:

  • Disc Format: Choose Audio CD

  • Gap Between Songs: Standard is 2 seconds (or 0 for no gap)

  • Use Sound Check: Optional (normalizes volume)

Click Burn to start.

Wait for the burn to finish.

Once complete, the disc will eject (or show as finished), and you’re ready to play it in a standard CD player.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • No CD drive? Use an external USB CD/DVD burner (Apple USB SuperDrive or third-party).

  • Use WAV or AIFF files for best audio quality (MP3 works but is lossy).

  • CD-R is more universally compatible than CD-RW.