[a fool in paradise]

Unfortunately mix CDs tended to pick up a scratch.

And mp3 comps are harder to edit (sometimes you want to cut off the dead air, or an extended intro, etc.).

Brief soundclips from movies/tv/etc are also good.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

"And mp3 comps are harder to edit (sometimes you want to cut off the dead air, or an extended intro, etc.)."

"Audacity" is freeware audio editing software. It will do what you want to do and much more. It is full-fledged audio editing and recording software.