BEST Ripper around?

[magic]

Hello all,

I'm about to rip all my CD's (more than 300) and I was wondering what is the best ripper software around? I have MusicMatch Plus and I'm happy with its ease of use. However, I heard that it uses a bad codec and some other software

[DrewKaree]

what is the best ripper software around?....and some other software

[magic]

Dear DrewKaree,

Thanks for the reply. As you suggested, my "best" meant the most accurate sound quality and the closest to the CD with a reasonable file size. Regardless of anything else like tagging, sorting etc...

I read the thread you directed me to, and as I though you suggested EAC, but your main point on EAC, is that you never have to check every single track for flaws. Well, with MusicMatch I never had to do that. I mean if the CD is fine and unscratched (which most of mine are) then you don't have to worry about any flaws.

However, what I meant by

[DrewKaree]

but your main point on EAC, is that you never have to check every single track for flaws.  Well, with MusicMatch I never had to do that.  I mean if the CD is fine and unscratched (which most of mine are) then you don't have to worry about any flaws.

I use MusicMatch as well, but only to listen to my tracks.  I used to use it to rip, since it was an all-in-one solution, but I found that there were times that something DID cause a flaw, and sometimes, if a disc was scratches and caused a problem, MusicMatch would either hang, or wouldn't rip the track.  EAC will do multiple scans and will come up with a decent file from even scratched disks.  If EAC won't rip it, it probably won't be rippable by ANY program.

what I meant by

[TalkingOctopus]

I like CDex.  http://www.cdex.n3.net/  It is free and you can choose from many different encoders.  I use the LAME encoder.

[magic]

Dear DrewKaree,

You can't really imagine how much I want to thank you for your nice and detalied reply. I will isntall the software tonight, and see how it goes. Thanks again.

TalkingOctopus: Thanks a a lot for your input, if the EAC didn't work for me, then CDex would be the answer.


Thanks again guys,

[DrewKaree]

...if the EAC didn't work for me, then CDex would be the answer.

Either way, download the latest LAME encoder from the link posted on the thread I have.  It'll work with both, so it won't be a waste of your time to have it.

If you need any help setting EAC up, post it here, I'll be popping in here and there tonight.

[Craig]

I use dbPoweramp. It's the best IMHO. It does many other things too and it's free ;-)

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

[locationnyc]

How's it going.  First, thanks for the info. I went and checked your original post with all the details.  As a semi-pseudo-amateur newbie to all this (meaning I've got a good friend that hooks my machine up every now and then but I basically don't know ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---), I have a couple of questions about EAC.  First, it says that the software is still in Beta testing.  Is it gonna mess up my machine?  I know you can't guarantee anything, but I guess I'm just asking about your experience so far.  Second, well, really I was gonna post a new thread, but I have a feeling your the man (or woman, who knows?) to answer this one too:

basically, I've been downloading and ripping for years, but I haven't upgraded or stayed up to date with software innovations at all.  My process is so damn cumbersome: if I download a track, I first try to make sure all the tag info is correct, then move it into a folder in Exlporer, then input it to Windows Media player.  Most of the time, the track info doesn't all come through (artist, album, genre, etc) and i end up having to do a lot of editing in WMP.  For ripping, I've been using AudioCatalyst, which also doesn't always get all the tag info correct, and then repeating the later steps, listed above.  Then, to burn, I use Nero, whcih often freezes up my machine.  Sorry to bore you with my sad story, but there ya have it.  I'm just looking to bring my process up to date (I'm only 29 and I feel like my grandpa on this, anyway...).  Oh yeah, one more thing, is there any program that "fixes" or normalizes (?) the levels on downloaded tracks? I mean can you just dump all the files into a program that spits them out all at the same level?

thanks in advance, if you need a gmail account let me know

what is the best ripper software around?....and some other software

[DrewKaree]

I have a couple of questions about EAC.  First, it says that the software is still in Beta testing.  Is it gonna mess up my machine?  I know you can't guarantee anything, but I guess I'm just asking about your experience so far.

I've been using it on and off for about 3-4 years (been testing others to see if they work better, that's why the "off" part) with no problems other than installing a newer version over an older version causes conflicts, but that's it.  I think they call it a beta due to the fact that it uses LAME and that'll change the prog from time to time.

Second...my process is so damn cumbersome: if I download a track, I first try to make sure all the tag info is correct, then move it into a folder in Exlporer, then input it to Windows Media player.  Most of the time, the track info doesn't all come through (artist, album, genre, etc) and i end up having to do a lot of editing in WMP.  For ripping, I've been using AudioCatalyst, which also doesn't always get all the tag info correct, and then repeating the later steps, listed above.  Then, to burn, I use Nero, whcih often freezes up my machine.

It usually depends on the database you query and what info they have to create the tags.  EAC will allow you to change the database you use, in case you prefer freeDB versus CDDB, but I've found it won't really matter...one may miss one CD, another may get that one, but miss a different one...just depends.  EAC will allow you to change the tag of a CD before ripping, so maybe that's something you'll like.  You can also set each CD to be ripped to a folder like you wish, thereby skipping that step.  As for Nero, the only thing I can tell ya is to see if they'll let you update to a newer version.  I dunno what version you have, but I have Nero 6 and it works perfect.  

Also, what are your system specs - processor, memory, soundcard, etc.  It may be that your system is just slowing down and adding a stick of RAM might solve it, but that should be a last resort if Nero and your other stuff ran fine at one time.  It's probably time to clean out the computer's closet!  Other than updating your copy of Nero, I recommend that you defrag your system, empty your temp folder, and failing all that, start fresh.  Starting fresh entails FAR more than I can go into in this thread, but would ensure the best possibility of everything being in top working order.  It sounds, though, as if this may be out of your scope of expertise.  

I'm only 29 and I feel like my grandpa on this, anyway

I'm ahead of you on the trail to "grandpa-ness" by a few years, you can do all this stuff pretty easy, it'll just take a bit of explaining, that's all

one more thing, is there any program that "fixes" or normalizes (?) the levels on downloaded tracks? I mean can you just dump all the files into a program that spits them out all at the same level?

are they mp3's or wav's?  mp3gain is a good one for mp3's, but there's a caveat...you don't want to run it on all of your files if they're not sorted...you'll get your "Live in concert" type of files boosted or your "ripped from CD" stuff dropped, making one or the other into something you probably won't be happy with.  If they're wav's, I've found wav normalizer to be pretty decent, with the same caveat.  Describe more specifically what you want to do when normalizing your music, and we can help you find something more specifically suited to your purpose.

thanks in advance, if you need a gmail account let me know

I have, in fact, been looking for an invite.  Check your PM for where to send it to, and if you need further help, be as specific as you can, and if I can't help you, someone here should be able to, or we can point you to where to go.

[desmatic]

I've ripped just under a terabyte of CDs all using EAC (FLAC/APE/LAME encoders).  APE is superb but windows only.  FLAC works on everything, but you'll need an FE.  LAME works natively with EAC, just install it first.

There are a lot of rippers out there but the two best are cdparanoia (Linux) and EAC (Windows, preferably 98SE).  EAC is very fast if you have a cacheless drive (hard to find but worth the effort if your serious about ripping).

As an aside, DVD drives usually outperform CD drives when it comes to read accuracy.  I've had great success with Sony DVD drives.  I've tried philips, toshiba, liteon (which worked well also), and plextor (dissappointing), but my Sony is the one I use.  It ripps at 15x -20x flawlessly.  It'll even rip damaged CDs that most drives just spit out.