Suggest your best wav to mp3 encoding software plz

[dbal]

Your suggestions?? No mp3PRO plz...

P.S: BTW for Nero users: After the 30 times trial limit of free mp3PRO encoding by NERO, what happens?? Does it let u encode in simple MP3 format or does it lock until u buy the MP3PRO encoder from Ahead's site? I talk about Nero 5.5.8 full version....

 

[ElDonAntonio]

I'd say AudioCatalyst is pretty good. For on the fly recording to MP3 from an external source, try Messer. You'll find links on Google!

 

[igowerf]

I use CDex to do my CD ripping and mp3 decoding/encoding. It's freeware.

 

[ProviaFan]

I just use good ol' LAME. Supposedly it's one of the best.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Here's another vote for CDex. Its easy to use, its freeware, and it also uses LAME encoding....

 

[mk]

Use EAC and LAME.

LAME is the best mp3 encoder, don't ever use anything else (that is until something better comes along ).

 

[Adrian Tung]

Another vote for EAC+LAME.

I've even written a simple MFC app for batch-converting WAV files to MP3 using LAME but I haven't had the time to create a website and post it up, although I'm sure there are several free apps that do the same thing as mine if you search around.


atwl

 

[HJB417]

Audiograbber
been using it since Fall 98.

 

[Rally1]

what about the best when you have multiple CDS to rip.

ie speed and ease, not quality.

I want to rip 300+ CDs without it taking a week.

My CD drive will get me about 30x DAE, but i want a program that will rip, label and sort as it goes. As easy as possible, ie put CD in drive press "go", next cd etc.

thanks

(been using MusicMatch 7.2 pro, which is pretty good, but takes forever to "add to music library", which i cant seem to turn off)

 

[Frodolives]

CDex has always been great for me

 

[igowerf]

Rally1: CDex, Audiograbber, and AudioCatalyst let you type in wild cards to define how files are saved. You can make it automatically rip the mp3s to specific folders with a specific format like "My Music\genre\artist\albumtitle\track # - track title.mp3"

I believe all 3 programs support CDDB so you can easily get the CD information.

 

[Workin']

Please don't use anything but EAC+LAME. They are both free and are both the best programs available for doing what they do. And for the love of God don't use AudioCatalyst or Xing - they are absolutely the worst products for mp3's. See the links in my sig - the mp3 one is a little out of date but it still won't steer you wrong.

 

[snow patrol]

Cdex is easily the best, easiest, un-bloated, totally free one. So get it!

 

[Workin']

Originally posted by: snow patrol
Cdex is easily the best, easiest, un-bloated, totally free one. So get it!

Cdex is good, but it is second-best compared to EAC. If you think EAC is slow, try Cdex in secure mode :Q By default Cdex doesn't do any error correction.

 

[Dre]

I use Lame with RazorLame frontend.

 

[dbal]

Let me add this to our discussion- Does anyone know which encoder does Creative's PlayCenter use? If....
Thanx everyone for posting! Great help!

P.S: No one is using Nero out there? :Q

 

[handoverfist]

RazorLame frontend..... is this a gui ? I'm currently using EAC w/ version 3.2 of Lame

 

[Workin']

Originally posted by: handoverfist
RazorLame frontend..... is this a gui ? I'm currently using EAC w/ version 3.2 of Lame

RazorLame is a GUI for LAME.

I hope you're using version 3.92 of LAME, not 3.2

 

[hudster]

question about using the EAC+LAME combo: is there anywhere I can find how to properly pass command line arguments to LAME? I went through EAC's wizard, and it set up command line args for me, but everytime I try to mess with them myself, it doesn't work (when ripping/encoding, the LAME "DOS box" pops up for a split second then disappears again, and I'm left with just the .wav files. (so I assume I've got some kind of command line error)

and in EAC passing the comannd-line args to LAME, I noticed EAC's got stuff in there like "%l", "%h", etc...what the freak are those? where can I find these answers out?

Thanks.


-hudster

 

[SmooveB]

dBpowerAmp

It's free and simple with plenty of options including normalization... also adds an item or two to contextual menu's to make it easier to use.

Uses lame as well.

 

[Workin']

and in EAC passing the comannd-line args to LAME, I noticed EAC's got stuff in there like "%l", "%h", etc...what the freak are those? where can I find these answers out?

The '%' parameters are so LAME knows what temporary .wav files to encode and then what to name the output file. Leave those in the command line when you add your own parameters. You can find out what the parameters mean by either typing 'lame -h' or something like that at the command prompt, or else reading the documentation at the LAME home page.

 

[mk]

Originally posted by: hudster
and in EAC passing the comannd-line args to LAME, I noticed EAC's got stuff in there like "%l", "%h", etc...what the freak are those? where can I find these answers out?

You need to have the parameters "%s" and "%d" (as in "source" & "destination"; for example "--alt-preset standard %s %d") in the command-line, otherwise it won't work.

edit: Also take a look at the list of recommended LAME settings.

 

[hudster]

ahh, i have gained understanding now... the %l and the %h "tags" are "wrappers", and must be paired up. The %l tags are to wrap your low-quality setting with, and the %h tags are to wrap your high-quality setting with...this allows the usage of the high/low-quality radio buttons within EAC. If you select the low-quality radio button, EAC will pass the arguments wrapped in the %l tags to LAME, and if you select the high-quality radio button, EAC will pass the arguments wrapped in the %h tags to LAME. very interesting idea.

So if you don't care about using the high/low radio buttons in EAC, you can leave the %l's and the %h's out of the command line althogether. Interesting.

Thanks for your insight guys.


-hudster

 

[mariner]

Not trying to stroke anyone here, but listen to Workin' (read his FAQs). Use EAC and LAME for quality rips/encodes. Cdex can be used, but as Workin' said, there is no error correction. If the CD is in good condition, and your luck is good, you will get quality mp3s with Cdex; but why take the chance? Sure, the learning curve is a little steep for the EAC/LAME combo, but do you want quality or just some binary garbage taking up space on your HDD? You can optomize LAME with the settings found in this thread. And read up here. Then grab a p2p app and join the party

And pleasssssseeee don't share any tunes encoded with the Xing codec!


mariner

 

[Workin']

And pleasssssseeee don't share any tunes encoded with the Xing codec!

Friends don't let friends use Xing...

I'll also have to point out that Mk4 is more up-to-date than I am with the latest LAME settings and enhancements.