Converting .CDA files from CDs to .WAV format

[Bargaingirl]

I am new to burning CDs. I have taken alot of my audio CDs that I have and have copied the songs that I like to my hard drive. I now want to create my own mixes by burning my own CDR's from these files. I have MusicMatch Jukebox and also Adaptec Easy CD Creator. Neither program will convert the songs from my CDs that are in .CDA format. The programs are looking for .Wav, .MP3 formats. Can anyone point me to a program that will convert these formats for me (preferably a free program!). Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

 

[Trimper]

You should be able to take any .WAV editing program, such as cooledit 2000 (or whatever version) or GoldWav and record the cdaudio. All you have to do is make sure that your current audio input for recording is the cdaudio.

Also if you just want to mix a CD - take and record just the track (s) you want, and just do not close the session or cd - then take and record the next track. This worked fine for me w/ Adaptec. It may take a coaster or 2 to test this theory - but it does work.

happy burning !

 

[Workin']

Trimper - I hope that's not really the way you do it. That makes an ANALOG copy of the song. And takes a lot of time and effort.

Bargaingirl - You can't just copy the .CDA things off the CD using Explorer! That is just some file header data. You need to use a "ripping" program to copy the actual digital music from a CD to your hard drive as a .wav file. Easy CD Creator can do this. Then you can use Easy CD Creator to burn the .wav files in Audio CD format to a CD-R. Here are (most of) the steps:

Put first CD with songs you want to copy into your CD drive.
Start up Easy CD Creator
Choose Audio CD Layout tab
Drag tracks you want to bottom window
Right click on tracks in bottom window and choose Copy to Hard Drive
Repeat for each disc and track you want to copy.
After all the tracks you want have been copied to your hard drive in this manner, start a new audio cd layout in Easy CD Creator, and drag the tracks from the top window to the bottom window.
Then burn the CD-R.

Post any other questions you might have. But it's really easy to do...

 

[StrangeRanger]

Bargaingirl, Workin' is mostly correct. you need to "rip" the songs from your source cd's to the hard drive. while Sleezy CD Creator will do it, there are programs that will do it better. like CDDAE and EAC. do a search and you'll find them no problem. Also, just so you know, there is a .vxd file that will allow you to "drag and drop" from the cd drive to the hard drive with explorer. but it does not always work. it didn't work reliably for me so i tossed it, but i THINK it's cds.vxd or cdf.vxd. again, doing a search will find it no problem. but your best bets are EAC or CDDAE. both free and great.
j

 

[Brian48]

The .vxd file you're refering to can be found in the Files section over This site. Works fine for me.

 

[Workin']

Just thought I'd keep it easy for a beginner using software they already have. I don't think someone who thinks you can just use Explorer to copy CD tracks would have even a clue about .vxd's and such. Gotta walk before you can run, and all that.

 

[Teatowel]

You can download EAC.. it is very easy to use, just a bit slow though, and then encode them with Bladeenc.