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Josh.biz Technical Note 3 - added January 2007

Convert /rip compact disk (CD) music to MP3 format

This tip is for Windows XP users who wish to convert old music collections from CD (compact disk) to MP3 format. This process is also referred to as 'ripping' or 'digitally extracting'. This technical note recommends the software which should be used.

In our experience, the software recommended below is the best available, as well as being straightforward to install and use. No problems were encountered. Added to these benefits is the fact that they're all free to download.

For help regarding installation and use of the recommended software, please refer to the product help guides and the website of the relevant manufacturers.

Keywords

convert, compact disk, mp3, rip, ripping, extract, lame, exact audio copy, eac, freedb

Overview

Having built up a substantial music collection of compact disks, a number of growing issues arise:

• Compact disks are far from indestructible and when played (and handled) frequently, will inevitably degrade. One in five of my compact disks is now flawed in some capacity.
• The benefits of the MP3 format are highly attractive. MP3s are small files, easily accessed when stored on a PC or MP3 player. Because the music is converted to digital information, MP3 files should not lose quality and can be copied infinitely.

For further information on the MP3 format and it's benefits, please read what Wikipedia can tell you about the MP3 format.

My quest was to find the most efficient software to convert my large collection of CDs to MP3 format.

Findings

The list of software for converting music to MP3 format seems unending. After a lot of research and some great advice from other websites, a perfect solution was found.

Judging by the feedback and reports elsewhere online, the software we eventually selected should make a great choice for anyone.

Solution

1. Download and install the LAME MP3 encoder
2. Download and install Exact Audio Copy (EAC) conversion software
3. Use freedb (accessed within EAC) to retrieve CD artist and song names.

LAME MP3 Encoder

Before downloading our recommended MP3 conversion software, a suitable MP3 encoder should be installed.

We recommend LAME. This is a free download.

Read what Wikipedia can tell you about LAME.

Download and install this software at:

http://lame.sourceforge.net

If this link fails consistently please

Exact Audio Copy (EAC) Audio Grabber

For converting the compact disks to MP3 format, without doubt, Exact Audio Copy (EAC) should be used.

Read what Wikipedia can tell you about Exact Audio Copy.

Download and install this software at:

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de

If this link fails consistently please

freedb

freedb is a database to look up CD information using the internet.

When converting compact disks with Exact Audio Copy (EAC), artist, CD-title and tracklist information can be automatically downloaded from their database.

It is mentioned here only to give credit to the wonderful job it does of recognising CDs. I was genuinely surprised that freedb was able to recognise even obscure disks which were received as free gifts with magazines such as Mixmag and Muzik magazine (no longer in publication).

The use of freedb is already built into the functionality of EAC. During the EAC set up process, it may be necessary to select the use of freedb. Although the use of freedb is free, it may be necessary to register freedb and submit an email address.

Copyright implications

Prior to the 'digital era', media such as audio and VHS cassettes could be copied but suffered noticeably from a distinctive loss of quality. Hence, the Recording Industry were concerned comparatively little about the copying of their products.

When copying digitally, as mentioned above, every copy can be an exact copy of the original. Understandably, the Recording Industry has become much more concerned about illegal digital copying (piracy).

Please note that Josh.biz in no way condones piracy. Artists should be paid for the work they produce.

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