How much time before and after song?

[TotalSonic]

In general - to deal with Compact Disc player's and some software players default latencies or "unmute times" (sometimes built in deliberately in order to avoid having a click at the start of the track or track change) you want about 300ms of "pre-roll" before the audio begins for the 1st track, and at least 200ms of pre-roll before any of the following tracks. For programs with continuous audio (such as live concerts, "DJ mix tapes", concept albums with every track cross faded to the next) all you can do is fine the best point closest to zero energy crossing within the audio. For spacing between tracks - while at one point it was suggested to leave 2 to 3 seconds in between each track, at this point there is no "standard" and it should just be set as per artist's or producer's preference.

Best regards,
Steve Berson