mp3s users: CDs to mp3s "do it all programs" ...

[LordSnailz]

Sorry ... did a quick search and didn't find anything.

Is there a program out there that can help convert my CDs into mp3s? I'm thinking not going higher than 192kbs for bitrate ... not sure if that matter ... just something simple and fast ..

any help is much appreciated.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Try

EAC

or

CDex

Even common media players such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, Win Amp, and RealOne Player all offer some kind of ripping solution, however some of them you have to pay $ to get all the ripping options.

 

[AFB]

EAC + Lame

 

[randomlinh]

another vote for CDex.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I prefer EAC because it will tell me if there were any problems ripping the CD. Many jukebox programs wil just make you a tick and skip filled file, when you might just need to clean the CD to get a good rip.

 

[Concillian]

I use EAC + lame to get awesome quality VBR mp3s that I basically cannot tell the difference between CDs and mp3s even through my main stereo.

Instructions here:
http://users.pandora.be/satcp/cd2mp3-en.htm

The thing about EAC is that it VERIFIES that the audio extraction is perfect, without any pops, skips, etc... before it encodes with mp3. When I was using CDex, it would not do that. Things may have changed in CDex though, I haven't used it in a couple years.

Lame is also the best quality encoder I have found for variable bit rates. I get a itrate of around 200 on average, and as I said, quality is indistinguishible to me. Even with entry level audiophile type stereo components (not Sony/JVC, but Rotel, Adcom, etc...) and my home built speakers.

I was using the Faunhofer codec before and it would produce reasonable quality lower bitrate mp3s. LIke 160-192, but, I just couldn't handle the encoding artifacts at straight rates that low. It's probably better than Lame at straight rates, but LAME is free and has better quality vs file size with VBR.

 

[LordSnailz]

Great, thanks guys!