A case free, way of organising your CD collection

As some of you know, I will soon be moving houses and the place we are moving to is considerably smaller hence I need to consider a way to organise my current cds while using (and not wasting) space efficiently.

For the longest time I resisted switching away from CD cases but I have done a bit of research lately (thanks to the Steve Hoffman message board) into various space saving solutions for organising a cd collection, and here is what I propose:

1. (Goes without saying) getting rid of all the standard CD jewel cases;

2. Buying rice-paper CD sleeves (can be viewed here: http://www.sleevecityusa.com/diskeeper-anti-static-cd-dvd-sleeve-p/3cdcir.htm?CartID=1). I am familiar with these as all the CDs in my Led Zeppelin japanese box set are nicely houses in these rice-paper sleeves. They are very good with the minor complaint they can be a bit slippery so some careful handling is required.

3. Buying "Vinyl CD sleeves" (can be viewed here: http://www.sleevecityusa.com/Vinyl-CD-DVD-Sleeve-with-Flap-100-Pack-p/cd051du.htm?CartID=2). These are for housing the front cover/booklet and back cover. In between the front / back cover I will have the CD sitting nicely in the rice-paper sleeve.

I have seen a couple of photos of peoples collection organized in those sleeves and it looks very very good.

As I have yet to embark on this project, I would like to know your opinions and how you have organised your collection in a jewelcaseless way

where do you put the art with these cd sleeves?

Go here: http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/jewelsleeves-com-cd-storage.167799/

And scroll down to a post by metalbob - there are 3 photos there

Did you see this video that was posted on another thread in this forum?

Yes I have seen this video before. But I'm not sure about the quality of these sleeves. The CD seems to be bouncing all over the place in there. Have you used these before?

No. I just remembered that video and thought it was a good idea because it houses the artwork as well. I guess, if they're just being stored most of the time, they wouldn't bounce around too much. Not sure how badly the plastic of the sleeves or paper of the CD inserts scratches the discs. Maybe the discs could be put in a separate sleeve that will fit inside.

I use the Jazz loft cd sleeves and they are excellent. I prefer them to the other sleeve you have posted.

I would love to find a suitable alternate for storing and entertained the sleeve option for as long as it took me to see the cost... I can get jewel cases all day long for free. Yes I get space is premium, but for a LARGE collection spending thousands for that additional 200 square feet is not a viable trade for me.

Still hoping for a solid, affordable alternative. And no digital options please...

martinsane wrote:

I would love to find a suitable alternate for storing and entertained the sleeve option for as long as it took me to see the cost... I can get jewel cases all day long for free. Yes I get space is premium, but for a LARGE collection spending thousands for that additional 200 square feet is not a viable trade for me.

Still hoping for a solid, affordable alternative. And no digital options please...

The reason I chose the Jazz Loft sleeves was mostly due to a move. I was moving from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh and my 3000 cds were going to be a bear to move in cases. By using the Jazzloft sleeves, I shaved a bunch of weight and space off of each album and I could really pack lots of them into a box. It was very convenient for me. If space or weight aren't a concern, then there's absolutely no reason to use sleeves.

I'm an odd duck: I use CD wallets. I know, I know, I may as well wrap my discs in barbed wire. Thing is I travel a lot for work and like to keep them all with me. Process goes:

1. purchase CD
2. rip to computer for backup
3. store disc in wallet (all organized, of course, by genre and relevance--not alphabetical)
4. store jewel case and inserts (after reading them, of course)

Of course, we're talking about 400 CD's--far less than what the majority of members here on HOM have. When I do get above 1,000, it'll be time to consider other storage options.

I just crossed the 800-disc mark a couple of weeks ago. My "main" cabinet downstairs in the dining room is full and I've started moving the overflow into an old 200-capacity "spinner" CD rack in my bedroom closet.

My wife made a joke the other day when we learned that A&E is canceling the "Hoarders," she sez "Oh darn, that's a shame, I was just about to call them about your CD collection." Pfffft.