A
mixtape (also
mix-tape or
mix tape) is a home-made compilation of music (typically copyrighted songs taken from other sources) recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an
audio cassette, though CD or
MP3 playlist formats are now more common. The songs can be sequential, or by
beatmatching the songs and creating overlaps and fades between the end of one song and the beginning of another the tape may become a seamless whole. Compilations may include a selection of favourite songs, or music linked by theme or mood, perhaps tailored to the tape's intended recipient.