Community Newsletter: Q&A: Advice needed for ripping a huge music CD collection
- 1/18/08 4:08 PM
Is it legal to rip?
by Jim_Cooper - 1/19/08 10:14 AM In reply to: reply by n1bggWhether or not it is legal depends on what country you're in.
Thus far, the record labels have not gone after anyone transferring music to their mp3 players, but it is not strictly speaking legal to do so in some places
????
by Preymantas - 1/22/08 10:39 PM In reply to: Not Really... by jaysoundCome again...
What did you say???? 
Cheers!
Prey
Winamp will do a lot of that for you.
by ÆL - 1/11/08 8:36 PM In reply to: Advice needed for ripping a huge music CD collection by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use Winamp(http://winamp.com) to catalog, organize, and rip my music.
In order to rip to mp3 you must upgrade to pro for $19.99.
in the free version it allows you to rip to mp4 only.
Once your done ripping you can click on the newly added list to begin archiving those tracks using the "new music option"... it remembers what is new even after you close the program.
As for getting your music cataloged the Gain plugin uses a wide database to help you correct tags and find artists.
It doesn't use much memory 18MB on my machine, and has literally hundreds of skins to choose from; I like the bento one that version 5.5 comes with with the green default.... gives it that matrix touch if you know what I mean .
The best part about Winamp is that they continue to fix, add and update it. I can remember using this program back in Windows 98, before they were bought out by AOL and I enjoyed it then. I changed to using Itunes until about 2 years ago when I rediscovered the major upgrades that had taken place.
I would say check it out. The free version is very flexible and isn't limited much from the pro version, so you may not even need to spend the $$ for the extra MP3 ripping (Mp4 normally works fine)
TTYL,
ÆL
EAC is it!
by jaysound - 1/11/08 8:46 PM In reply to: Advice needed for ripping a huge music CD collection by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
"Exact Audio Copy" available at http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/ is the most accurate ripper available for PC...and its FREE! (Postcard Ware)
You can configure it to save your ripped CDs in full-size WAV files or compress them using any of a number of codecs. For example, LAME integrates with EAC to produce MP3s and you can get a free copy at --> http://lame.sourceforge.net/index.php
A couple of other plug-ins are included in the download package that give some added functionality.
In addition, EAC has basic, built-in sound-editing capabilities and also includes integrated CD burning software.
EAC as been in "development" now for 4 or 5 years and still has a "prebeta" designation, but don't let that worry you. The 'latest' version is: Exact Audio Copy V0.99 prebeta 3, but it is extremely stable.
EAC isn't the simplest audio extractor out there, but if you're willing to put up with a fairly short learning curve and go thru the configuration process, you won't find a better, more full-featured ripper and you just can't beat the price.
agreed, eac is it
by _mr3_ - 1/19/08 11:15 PM In reply to: EAC is it! by jaysoundi'm with jaysound on this. at least for your favorite cds, eac is by far the best way to pull .wav data from cd redbook with minimal error. it will give you the best quality rip i know of, and it accesses freedb for file naming (which can be used for tagging with utilities like mp3 tag studio). then you can use your favorite encoder to convert to the format you want (i've heard lame is the best, although i use soundforge in batch mode myself). for mp3 using headphones, i usually go with 192-320kbps (320 for my fav stuff although it's probably overkill), and for listening in the car i'll go with 192kbps or even 128. there are better formats (ex. vbr or even m4a), but not quite enough support all around for me (ex. car use). for storage/backup i'll flac up the wavs and burn them to dvd.
Oh Thank God
by Powlaz - 1/24/08 7:18 AM In reply to: EAC is it! by jaysoundI was wondering how long I would have to read before someone mentioned EAC. EAC is unprecedented in its ability to rip music. What makes EAC so great is it has the ability (by way of error correction/ secure ripping) to rip a scratched or worn CD without copying the defects in the music (pops, clicks, skipping) with it.
EAC IS difficult to use. Recently dbPowerAmp started giving EAC a run for its money. This is yet another program with a slew of codecs available to it and the ability to accurately rip your CD without copying the defects.
Both programs offer you a lot of control but the outcome is excellent.
I ripped my music collection using a modification of EAC call REACT. Almost every CD (some were beyond help) was flawlessly ripped to FLAC and vbr 320 MPE (using Lame ALT Preset Extreme).
These softwares also keep you from disgracing your music by Normalizing it. Using MP3Gain or the like is a far better option and EAC and dbPoweAmp both offer it.
Anyway, once you've ripped your collection the only way to keep track of it is with Media Monkey. Media Monkey is a big program and it's a shame to waste some of its features but it excels at media management and that's what it should be used for.
Read about EAC at HydrogenAudio.org
Read about dbPowerAmp at their website
Read about Media Monkey at their website
I've used damn near everything out there and these programs are the elite.
Po
All in one solution
by xtrasico - 1/11/08 10:04 PM In reply to: Advice needed for ripping a huge music CD collection by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Since you have a really big collection, MediaMonkey is a great music management software. CNET editors gave it 5 stars in their review.
This program can do everything you ask here, from Media Player, CD ripper, MP3-WMA-OGG-FLAC converter, equalizer, auto tagging, directory and file renamer, CD-DVD burner, synchronization, look up and download album information, music manager and of course you can create reports of your music collection as Excel, html, or xml files.
You can correct volume levels automatically so you don't have to adjust it when changing songs. It can use also pluggins and scripts created by you or the community. Since it has a forum you can get answers to your questions from other members.
I definitely would go with MediaMonkey since it is free, and if you want another features, like faster CD burning, you can upgrade for only $19.95.
When you are talking about the media format and bit rates, in my opinion, use the most compatible format and bit rate: mp3 128Kbps, since there are players out there that are not compatible with other format/bit rates. I think that is the best balance when talking about sound quality and file size.
You can crank up the bit rate to 160Kbps or 192Kbps for better quality if you want but it is going to take more space and you could find an incompatible player out there (I have a car mp3 player that it is only compatible with bit rates of 128Kbps). Of course, if you are an Audiophile, go 320Kbps since it is going to give you the best quality, but remember that, maybe for your portable media player, it is not going to make a difference in quality since it all depends on your earphones. Good luck!
Media Monkey
by Willbo17 - 1/21/08 1:49 PM In reply to: All in one solution by xtrasicoAny idea if Media Monkey works with Vista 64? And/or are there any 64 bit apps that will rip with all the features/quality we've been discussing?
I used Media Monkey on an old box but got sidetracked then got a new computer and never finished rippin' my 700 or so CDs. At the time it seemed to be a great program.
Recently married and wife has another 300. We love listening over the home stero via my sound bridge over my wireless LAN.
Boy have I got work ahead of me.
Music CD to HDD
by lwsmiser - 1/11/08 10:26 PM In reply to: Advice needed for ripping a huge music CD collection by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have found that the easiest way to transfer any type of CD to my computer's hard drive is by using a virtual CD program. The one I use is Virtual Drive by Farstone Technology, Inc. It offers a facility for emulating a CD by building a Disk Image saved to a file with a .VCD extension. In addition it provides a number of virtual drives which use unused system disk letters. These virtual drives appear in My Computer as CD rom drives and a handy application allows you to select and "insert" the desired virtual disk in one of the virtual drives. You may use all or some of the unused drive letters although it is best to leave a few unused for use by external drives you may want to use.
Once the virtual disc is inserted in a drive it will open as a folder or may be set to auto play in which case a music CD will play in the same manner as the actual disc inserted in a physical drive.
CD Ripping Software
by khower - 1/11/08 11:20 PM In reply to: Advice needed for ripping a huge music CD collection by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dan,
I have undertaken last year, a task similar to yours. I had roughly 700 CD's to rip into Mp3's.
The software I selected was Easy CD-DA Extractor 10, by Poikosoft.com. I had already purchased a previous release, and had been using it for a couple years with great satisfaction. It's a small developer that created the software, his service is excellent and you free unlimited upgrades! Basic (which I use) is $16 and professional is $32.
I selected this software because it had many options that I was looking for, when ripping my collection. It has many options regarding format, quality, speed of the rip, CPU priority and most importantly for me, file naming convention. Being retentive, I wanted all mine in a certain format (Artist - Album - Track# - Song.mp3) I wanted consistency, I don't like slashes, as you can create a new folder in the wrong direction.
Song quality, is a key decision. It's a balance between audio quality and file size. My personal taste, is 192bit. Most mp3's are ripped at 128bit, which provides the smallest file size at the highest, of the lower quality rips. 192, has larger file size, but I hear just a bit higher quality than the 128bit rip. Only high quality equipment, will in my opinion, will pick up the deficiencies of 192bit.
It uses Freedb to grab song titles. Once again, my retentive qualities kick in, I am constantly annoyed at the users who submit song titles with lowercase song titles (example: Every breath you tak or Dude Looks Like a Lady). Obviously, these people were paying attention in English class, where all titles are supposed to be Uppercase first letter. Freedb, usually has multiple submissions for most mainstream titles. Only occasionally, will have I had to type in all the info.
As far as I know, you can not do any reports (I've never had a need). However, it does have a check box to have a report generated when it encounters an error during the rip.
Formats, it supports just about every format you can imagine. It will also convert already existing file formats and let you create audio CD's from many formats.
Good luck. I know there are services that will do this for you, but I personally wanted to do it myself. Just keep your CD's near the desk, and rip a bunch each time you sit down.
Easy CD-DA Extractor
by kwilsonjr - 1/18/08 10:14 PM In reply to: CD Ripping Software by khowerAnother little known secret of this excellent ripper is that you can precisely configure the codec to allow that extra bass or high frequency to come through.
The one and only thing I do not like about most rippers is their reliance on freedb, an outdated user based datalog that is no longer supported.
I strongly prefer Gracenote as it is a fee based lookup service that, although is also a user based datalog, is carefully maintained and monitored for precision. Winamp uses Gracenote however it lacks the advanced ripping support that Easy CD-DA Extractor employs.
English classes
by darciea - 1/19/08 3:06 AM In reply to: CD Ripping Software by khowerSpeaking of English classes, "CD's" in your very last sentence is the possessive of CD. The plural of CD, which is the context you used, is "CDs." Similarly, "compact discs" would not be correctly written as "compact disc's."
:>)
CDs CD's CD C.D. and so on......
by somanyroads - 1/19/08 4:29 AM In reply to: English classes by darcieaThanks that might appear pedantic to some but it clears up a point for me. However shouldn't we be using C.D. to be completely correct
As it is an abbreviation ?
More pedantics
by Web Webster - 1/19/08 9:10 AM In reply to: CDs CD's CD C.D. and so on...... by somanyroadsC.D. would be initials. CD. would be a "proper" abbreviation. CD is more-or-less an acronym, although strictly speaking an acronym is the initial letters of a phrase which themselves comprise a word (e.g. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). CD can't be pronounced, so it's not really a word - but it's usually capitalized and punctuated as an acronym anyway (i.e., it's all caps and not punctuated at all).
Anyone interested in the difference between e.g. and i.e.? <grin>
Naming files
by ikofig - 1/21/08 4:39 AM In reply to: CD Ripping Software by khowerMy file naming preference is also Artist - Album - Track # - Song Title, but I found that, when the resulting file name gets too long, Windows truncates the name and I get the artist and part of the album name and the rest vanishes. How do you keep the whole file name intact? I use Win XP Home SP2.
I have used MusicMatch for a long time, and was surprised to read about the problems that some were having with Windows XP and IE7 compatibilty, since I have not. It continues to serve me well and is easy to use.
Kudos on the comment about the carelessness some use in naming songs. Case may not matter when entering an email address, but it doesn't mean that everything computer-oriented is case-insensitive.
BTW, I agree that the quality needed vs file size desired is what should dictate bitrate used. I know I can't hear as well as some but I can understand how it is a big deal for those who can. I rip for portability and, frankly, 128 was my standard for a while. I have upgraded to 160, but as someone else pointed out, your hearing acumen decreases with age, so I guess I'm just doing it for the next generation. That said, I think there is a significant number of people who insist on going lossless, who wouldn't be able to tell the difference if you had them do a blind A-B listening test. They're just playing a numbers game. If you're a bona-fide audiophile you would probably want to keep the original for serious listening purposes. The only reason to rip, then, is for portability, and going above 192 (or even 160) will only waste space without providing added fidelity. Also, as far as I understand the legal aspect of it, you must retain possession of the original media, so what's the point of trying to make an exact data copy?
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