Greetings All:

I've newly arrived here at the recommendation of another forum member. So, here's the deal...

I am looking for a software package to burn CDs. I currently have Easy Creator 4 (which came preloaded on my PC), which has generally done an adequate job as far as it goes.

But since most of my recording has become compilations of material from multiple CDs, this package is no longer suitable for my purposes.

Basic Requirements:
I am looking for three additional features unavailable to me now.

1. The ability to drag & drop songs from multiple CDs without the infuriating gaps that get added by most software (unless you merge, which then wipes out the indexing and alters the track numbering). This both increases the time between songs and, in cases where the tracks segue together, completely interrupts the intended continuity.

2. The ability to fade up, fade down and cross-fade between tracks, hopefully while maintaining indexing and track numbering.

3. The ability to adjust levels for individual tracks. One package I have seen supposedly offers this function as an auto leveling feature...one button does it all. Nice if it really works.

So far I have received two recommendations for MusicMatch, which seems to have as many people who hate it as love it, based on the user feedback I have read. Additionally, I have seen nothing in print to establish that MusicMatch can perform either item 2 or 3. Plus one recommendation each for Feurio! and CD Wave.

Advanced Requirement 1:
The ability to slice and dice songs down to the finest degree...to be able to extract phrases or individual words. The ability to set my own indexing points within the resultant montage would be nice, however not all important.

Advanced Requirement 2:
Since I still have nearly 500 pieces of vinyl in my collection, software for transferring these recordings (or audio tapes) to disc with effective pop/click and tape hiss filtering.

It is not necessary that the advanced requirements be a part of the basic package, but if they are all the better. It is more important to me that the individual functions for which those programs are being employed perform to their maximum capabilities.

My current system specs are:
Windows 98SE
8.53GB SCSI hard drive
128MB RAM
800MHz CPU (Pentium III)
Sony CD-RW CRX140E
NEC DVD DV-5700A
I will be upgrading sometime early next year with new specs yet to be determined.

By profession I'm a database and market research analyst, which means that while I'm excellent at extracting information out of the system, I don't necessarily understand what makes it tick. I am basically just a major music junkie coming to grips with new technology, so any help you more experienced types can render would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.