The term "mixtape" no longer refers to mixes that are recorded only on cassette tapes. Today, the term encompasses digital formats also, including CDs and digital playlists. If you want to give your mix a retro feel, record the mix on a cassette tape. Since recording a good mix to a cassette tape is tricky and mistakes are easy to make, create the mix in your computer first. Connect the audio output from your computer to the audio input of a tape deck, then record the mix as it plays from your computer.
Figuring out which songs to put on a mixtape is difficult, especially when you are working with cassettes and CDs that have limited amounts of space. To create a mix that flows well, think of a fitting theme for the tape. For example, if your mix is for a party, make a dance or high-energy mix. Other themes include romance, celebration, summer and melancholy. Telling a story through music is another option.
A good mixtape will play well from beginning to end without the need to skip songs. The songs you use need to flow well from one to another. Listen to each song carefully on your computer, and experiment with rearranging them to find the best order. If you have a combination of fast and slow songs, do not put all of the slow songs together and all of the fast songs together. Create continuity by arranging songs according to instrumental or lyrical content. Let your ears and emotions guide you when creating the order.
A common issue that arises with mixtapes is sudden changes in volume when going from one track to the next. Once you have ordered your songs, listen to each song and pay attention to the changes in volume between tracks. If you have to change the volume frequently, change the volume of the tracks using an audio editor, such as Audacity or Pro Tools. If the changes between some songs are too abrupt, apply fade-outs to those tracks. Additionally, if a song contains too much silence or random noise at its beginning or end, consider editing the noise or silence out.
Create a good cover for your mixtape. Use the cover to communicate the theme or overall mood of the mixtape. Create the cover art using a graphic design program or draw the art by hand. If you are not an artistic person, use images from the Web that are not copyright-restricted. Give your mixtape a name, and list the songs and artists on the back side of the cover.