Encoding music files

[WhitePony]

Ok, so this DJ friend of mine asked me to post this, since he is having problems with his Internet connection.

He´d like to know what´s the best app that is able to rip CD´s and convert .wav files to .mp3 and .mp3 to .wav.

So, he´s looking for something like an "all in one" program.
1. Which is the best overall program for this?
2. Which is the best FREE program?

Thanx in advance for your time!

[[KwestSeeker]]

There are tons of programs for acomplishing that; the one I use for that (and much more) is Musicmatch which is free as far as I know...

[Power Penguin]

For extracting the audio from CD :

Exact Audio Copy

For encoding the file to MP3:

Lame MP3 Encoder

Once you have the files, do the following to directly compress while you rip: ( A labour saving device better than sliced bread no?)

Copy Lame.dll to the same directory where you copied Exact Audio Copy . Then you will be able to choose the installed DLLs in the compression option dialog box.

[Foreverboard]

EAC is pritty much the best ripper.

[cmyden]

If quality is his priority, the best MP3s on earth are created by

A) extracting with Exact Audio Copy

B) encoding with LAME 3.92 using the --alt-preset standard switch

I have a quick 8 step tutorial on setting them up to work together, using the best options in EAC.

Check out:

http://www.chrismyden.com/DAE/

If you use MusicMatch Jukebox or another ripper instead of EAC you are taking the risk of having inaccurate audio extractions. It would be not be cool for a DJ to be playing music with loud 'clicks' and 'pops' in the middle of a song.

LAME 3.92 with the --alt-preset standard switch creates MP3s that are indistinguishable from the original CD. They are extremely high quality, since the switch was developed by audiophiles.

chris

[WhitePony]

You guys have been pretty helpful!

Anyway, this is probably a dumb question, but does any of those programs turn .mp3 files to .wav files?

I saw tham DBpowerAMP does this...

[WhitePony]

Ok, I just checked EAC´s site and it seem that it also does that...

[JordySchmit]

yeah eac is the best ripper

[DJ Rubbie]

you can actually use Winamp to output the wav file... I think you have to select the wave-out plugin under the output...

[roger d]

ok I really did not believe that anything called LAME was for me but it is quite the codex. To really get into a true dj thing your friend is going to have to get a bunch of stuff.
I used to use Musicmatch and used 192 bit mp3 and now 94 bit mp3pro to rip from a cd. I now use EAC with Lame set to vbr to rip everything. it seems that the Musicmatch uses Frankensomething ?? as its codeing system and it is just a bit lossy at the high end. Sounds fine on little speakers but just does not do the job for the long haul (that is to a real hifi) or out to the public.
To do real dj work you need a mixing program like pcdj (spyware bewair) or any # of others. You also need a good editing program like cooledit. I use native instrument tracktor and sound forge. These two give me complete control over all aspects of .wav and .mp3.
the final mixed output from the dj mixer is in .wav that is where EAC comes in. Mix in wav (you create very large files) and when finished run EAC in the vbr mode. You end up with very crisp dj files that can then be recorded to disk ( you really should burn to disk from your .wav befor you discard it). only then should you use Musicmatch to do all your playback. Have your friend send me a message if he has any questions.

[MikeHunt]

to find out scientifically ( but in plain language) the ratings of all the Mp3 encoders and decoders go to here: http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~djmrob/mp3decoders/

looks like cmyden is basically correct

[roger d]

http://members.tripod.com/encodingheaven/
this is a link to a site where you can d/l the newest version of EAC with the LAME vbr already set up. It also has a mp3 trim program. It is everything you need with a good "how to" also on the site. Thanks to Rickio for finding this. Happy ripping.