Having been a frequent mix-cd maker over the years - I often sending friends cds they haven't asked for, occasionally with no tracklisting - I was wondering if anyone else has a particular way of doing mix cds? any kind of Giles Smith/Lost in Music style set of rules or traditions that you use in a mix. Here are mine

- I always put exactly 18 tracks on no matter what. It normally works out at about an hour then. which is more than enough completely unknown music for anyone.

- I always try and put something on there which I've only heard once. this means they recipient gets something that is immediately impressive.

- I tend to go in three sections. first one is normally uptempo/loud guitar based stuff for about 7 tracks. then 4 or 5 electronic tracks, normally starting with one that's kind of song-based before going into some kind of Venetian Snares/afx madness then back. Then i round it out with some nice folky/acoustic/post-rock stuff. If I don't think the recipient will have heard it I normally include 'stargazer' by the zephyrs at this point.

i've a feeling there are more but this will do for now.

anyone want to admit to being a similar geek?