Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler OT: Best way to convert CD's to mp3?

OK...I've finally gotten the storage space I needed at home to begin ripping my cd collection. Problem is I haven't a clue how to rip a cd to mp3.

I'm VERY sheepish about giving up my cd collection, so I want to rip them at the best possible quality, space be damned. If I can hear a difference between my original cd, and my ripped mp3, then I'll be keeping the cds.

So...where do I start?

fyi...

I'm running a WinXP on an Intel P4 (2.4). They'll be stored on a Western Digital 200gb SATA drive (internal). The plan is to play them back through my Tivo downstairs which is "hooked up" wireless to the PC.

Hope that helps.

Apple itunes - it's free, flexible and it works! I use 320kbps bit rate and am very satisfied with the results.

Another free app is Musicmatch. The key is to use a high bitrate to preserve the sound quality. Many would argue for you to look into "lossless" ripping. I personally didn't want to eat up that much space. However, there are many that are adament that you can tell the difference in audio quality.

Good luck. It's a long process.

FYI...I think that Winamp does ripping, as well. In fact, I think that the newest Windows Media Player supports mp3 ripping. You may want to look around ZDNet to see what the most popular programs are right now for ripping.

Hi Craig,

Good luck. Please let us know how it goes. I'm currently monitoring both your progress and Ray's pleas for a megachanger with keen interest.

Somebody posted this Guide for Encoding CD's some time ago. I think it's a pretty good start.

There was also this thread where we tried to get help before. It rambles as usual, but I think it's still topical.

btw, I've used Musicmatch to rip LOTS of stuff at 128 (before I knew better). I am NOT satisfied with the results. So, I get to start all over.

You first.

- Tom

CDex to rip MP3's at 256b/s. Anything that uses the LAME encoder.

I am satisfied. spiff....drop by for a listen and a look at the software.

My pre/pro decodes the PCM from the MP3's and CD's....you will be hard pressed hear the difference. Remember, it is not only what is doing the ripping, but it is also the equipment that is playing it back.

I second Itunes, it is simply the best program available for organizing music. And ripping CDs is extremely easy.

iTunes is a great music organizer, and ripping music is easy, but I do not think it is the best quality ripper.

I've heard the same. But it IS the best program I've used for organizing and playing back your music. You can have the best of both worlds by using a LAME-capable ripper and them importing your tracks in to iTunes.

that's what I do!

And let me add that the Airport Express is great to wireless stream from your PC/Mac to your audio system....even offers digital out so you can use the higher quality DACs in your system. I think I have posted it three times today....the sound is outstanding!

sick of me posting that yet?

I use Cdex. I rip my cds at 224kpbs, 320 would be better but it just takes up more space and 224 is pretty decent. 192 and lower is too low.

I can rip a whole cd in about 2-3 mins so it shouldnt take you too long depending on your computer.

Winamp is the best for playing them too. I like version 2.80