How to Record Music to your mp3 Player Using Windows Media Player

With Windows Media Player, you can record music to your MP3. The process of getting music onto your MP3 player has several steps. With a USB cable and some patience, you can record your favorite CDs onto your MP3.

Connect your MP3 player to your PC. Typically you will do this through a USB cable that either came with the MP3 player or, more likely, that you purchase separately. This cord is important because it is what you will use to transfer music from your PC onto your MP3. The cable is the way the MP3 player and your PC communication. Upon the first connection of your MP3 to your PC, your PC will install the necessary driver.

Launch Windows Media Player. Make sure the Media Player identifies your MP3 player. Typically you will know this is happening because the name of the player will show up in a list on the left pane. If you don't see the name of the player, that might mean you first have to load software drivers included with the MP3 player.

Now insert the first of your music CDs into the optical drive. Wait for it to load. Once it does, the name of the disc will appear in the same list as your MP3 player. Select the "Rip" tab of Windows Media Player. A list of the tracks on your music CD should appear. Select which tracks you would like to put onto your MP3 player. Click "Start Rip."

Select the "Sync" tab. Navigate to the desired song, hold down the left button of your mouse and drag the track to the "Track List." When you are done, click "Start Sync." You will see progress bars after each song is copied to the MP3 player.

Verify that the transfer has occurred by disconnecting your MP3 player, connecting your headphones and listening for the new songs.