[stubby]

The screen on my aging RCA pcdp is turning black so I figure it's time to replace it. I decided on the I-River IMP-400 which is on backorder pending U.S release at J&R music.com. Their list price is $199.88 but the pre-order price quoted to me is $180.00 plus free shipping so I figured I'd grab it. No affiliation just passing on the info. I would like to start ripping my cd's down to mp3 or wma and could use some suggestions for good software to do it with?
Or a link to a forum to search up some info. Thanx all.

Eric

 

[imdisturbedbyyou]

its called fast cd ripper, it rips any cds to wma, ogg, mp3 or wav....is really good get the crack for t after your done cause you can only have it for 15 days.

 

[mtillman]

The standard answer for ripping is Exact Audio Copy (EAC).

I use CDex which is much simpler.

The standard answer for the encoder question is to use LAME in alt-preset-standard mode. This is supplied with both EAC and CDex.

For burning CDs I like Nero.


See Google for links.

 

[dparrish]

Nero has worked well for me

 

[RunsWithScissors]

Exact Audio Copy (EAC) is the best interface for ripping CDs (it's also FREE). It can make use of a number of encoders and by far the best MP3 encoder is LAME.

Check this out...

www.chrismyden.com

complete links to EAC, LAME and other tools as well as configuration files for no-brainer set up.

Use the LAME switch 'alt-preset standard' for excellent quality variable bit rate (VBR) rips which are close to 192kbs constant bit rate (CBR) rips but with smaller file size. Use 'alt-preset extreme' for higher quality rips (close to 225kbs CBR) which is virtually CD quality. You NEVER need to rip at 320kbs regardless of what anyone tells you.

If in doubt about what bit rate to rip at, just rip the same song at a number of different quality levels and listen for yourself to see what sounds good enough for you. Compare directly with CD or WAV files and see if you can tell the difference.

EAC will also burn CD-R with most burners. I also use Nero.

Don't waste your time with anything else - trust me you will be happy with the results from EAC and LAME.

You can also use EAC to encode with other formats such as OGG, monkey (lossless and about 50% compression).

Some links to check out:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?act=portal

http://www.guerillasoft.com/EncSpot2/index.html

http://www.ping.be/satcp/tutorials.htm

http://www.chrismyden.com/nuke/modul...DAE&file=index

Good Luck!

 

[stubby]

Cool. Thank you all for the replys and especially runswithscissors for the long post. I'll check into EAC tonight. With a price like that it's got to be good. Thanks again.

Eric

 

[mook]

Hey, I'd just like to thank Stubby....I placed an order for that IMP-400 also, and after talking with them, they also gave me the pre-order price of 180 dollars + free shipping.

Oh, and as for Exact Audio Copy....it's about as idiot-proof as you get. I had to go read the help files (gasp!) for the right syntax for the alt-preset-standard deal, but it works very well, and sounds great.

Thanks!

 

[MDDrew]

for WMAs

Rip with Windows Media Player 9 if possible
192K WMA9CBR