Re-ripping all my CD's. Need some suggestions for ripping and better sound for computers

Loose Stools · 01-23-2010, 10:45 PM

Years ago when I ripped CD's, hd space was somewhat limited, so I ripped at 64 or 128 kbs. I'm now embarking on a re-ripping project to update all my older music rips.

I'm waffling between 256 and 320 kbs. I honestly don't hear much of a difference, but it could be that I listen to most of my music at my computer. So, what do you rip at, and can you hear a difference between 160/256/320?

Also, does anyone have their computer connected to a receiver to listen to music? I have an X-fi soundcard and decent 5.1 computer speakers, but I'd like to upgrade--the sound is okay, but they're computer speakers. And that's one reason I wonder about bitrate--if I upgrade my system will I hear funky distortions I might not have heard with lesser equipment. I also watch Blu-ray here, so I want 5.1. I'd be interested in how others do computer sound.

fishrose · 01-23-2010, 10:47 PM

Rip it in FLAC.

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-23-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrose

Rip it in FLAC.

I can't emphasis this enough.

If you are going to mp3, then please do CBR 320 kbs mp3.

Loose Stools · 01-23-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrose

Rip it in FLAC.

I really need iPod compatibility...

Quote:

Originally Posted by In a pylon st8ofmind

I can't emphasis this enough.

If you are going to mp3, then please do CBR 320 kbs mp3.

Okay, I searched for CBR, and I come up with Championship Bull Riding--among others. Can I get a little more direction?

And, thanks to you both for the help.

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-23-2010, 11:08 PM

Constant Bit Rate. It will make larger files but keep the quality as high as your bitrate allows.

EAC (Exact Audio Copy) is free and is the best for ripping your discs.

Rip to Apple Lossless if you need iPod compatibility.

Or Rip to Flac for archiving AND 192 k MP3's for your iTard.

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

Loose Stools · 01-23-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In a pylon st8ofmind

Constant Bit Rate. It will make larger files but keep the quality as high as your bitrate allows.

EAC (Exact Audio Copy) is free and is the best for ripping your discs.

Rip to Apple Lossless if you need iPod compatibility.

Or Rip to Flac for archiving AND 192 k MP3's for your iTard.

Introduction » Exact Audio Copy

iTard

Thanks for the other info

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-23-2010, 11:15 PM

Don't say a stinky ass Hippie never did nothing for ya.

Turf · 01-23-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In a pylon st8ofmind

EAC (Exact Audio Copy) is free and is the best for ripping your discs.

Rip to Apple Lossless if you need iPod compatibility.

Or Rip to Flac for archiving AND 192 k MP3's for your iTard.

Introduction » Exact Audio Copy

thanks for that, i've always used CDeX but this looks much more sophiticated.

Cym Jim · 01-23-2010, 11:45 PM

On a related note - does anyone buy used CDs any more? I've got boxes full of the damn things, mostly jazz, but now they're ripped they're never getting used ever again, unlike my vinyl. I don't even need the back-up - I have the internet. I'm thinking of just bundling them by artist and sticking on Ebay before they become completely worthless. Have I already missed the boat?

EMSP · 01-23-2010, 11:53 PM

I wish I would have read this before I moved all of my CD's to mp3's via 256 conversion in iTunes.

Loose Stools · 01-23-2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In a pylon st8ofmind

Don't say a stinky ass Hippie never did nothing for ya.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cym Jim

On a related note - does anyone buy used CDs any more? I've got boxes full of the damn things, mostly jazz, but now they're ripped they're never getting used ever again, unlike my vinyl. I don't even need the back-up - I have the internet. I'm thinking of just bundling them by artist and sticking on Ebay before they become completely worthless. Have I already missed the boat?

I thought of that, but just as soon as I do that, the computer crashes, and my back up is seized up. But I buy used CD's on Amazon. You could probably do pretty good there selling yours.

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-23-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Stools

I thought of that, but just as soon as I do that, the computer crashes, and my back up is seized up. But I buy used CD's on Amazon. You could probably do pretty good there.

It's called a pen drive or removable hard drive or even better both.. Or get a carbonite type backup service online.

Your HD crashing is not really any different than your CD's getting stolen or scratched quite frankly. Any media is flawed.

The dope thing about carbonite is you can log into it from ANYWHERE and get your files/music/videos.

The Earl of Pimpwich · 01-24-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In a pylon st8ofmind

It's called a pen drive or removable hard drive or even better both.. Or get a carbonite type backup service online.

Your HD crashing is not really any different than your CD's getting stolen or scratched quite frankly. Any media is flawed.

The dope thing about carbonite is you can log into it from ANYWHERE and get your files/music/videos.

Yeah, carbonite has worked well for me.

Since you don't seem to be a fan of iPods, what would you recommend? I have a Creative Zen Microphoto, but it's almost 5 years old and is having some issues.

Loose Stools · 01-24-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In a pylon st8ofmind

It's called a pen drive or removable hard drive or even better both.. Or get a carbonite type backup service online.

Your HD crashing is not really any different than your CD's getting stolen or scratched quite frankly. Any media is flawed.

The dope thing about carbonite is you can log into it from ANYWHERE and get your files/music/videos.

I've been using dropbox--which is great--but the thought of uploading a couple of hundy gigs (photos/music) sounds daunting, but I'll look into it. I use external backup, but I'm simply lazy about getting one out of the house, so online might be the way to go.

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-24-2010, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Earl of Pimpwich

Yeah, carbonite has worked well for me.

Since you don't seem to be a fan of iPods, what would you recommend? I have a Creative Zen Microphoto, but it's almost 5 years old and is having some issues.

A) never listen to me.

B) Ever

C) I mostly listen to music at home, either off my desktop which is hooked into my stereo / pool speakers.

or

I have a little sansa clip for listening in the car or working out. It defines bulletproof.

or

I have an android phone with 16gb SD card to to iPhone / iPod type things.

The Earl of Pimpwich · 01-24-2010, 12:17 AM

I just downloaded this EAC w/LAME software as I've been meaning to archive my CD's. This looks like a great program. Thanks.

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-24-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Stools

I've been using dropbox--which is great--but the thought of uploading a couple of hundy gigs (photos/music) sounds daunting, but I'll look into it. I use external backup, but I'm simply lazy about getting one out of the house, so online might be the way to go.

From my understanding you choose what directories you want to backup and it uses a fraction of your bandwidth when you are online and does it for you...

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-24-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Earl of Pimpwich

I just downloaded this EAC w/LAME software as I've been meaning to archive my CD's. This looks like a great program. Thanks.

You're welcome, I haven't used the more recent versions, but previously it was most user unfriendly, hopefully they've cleaned that up a little.

But the error correction is amazing.

I went and got an Allman Brothers Gold Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab CD which is out of print from my library, scratch fixed it, and EAC'd it and shared it up to the Internets in FLAC.

I then burned it on some Gold CDR's I have and voila, now I have Brothers and Sisters in MFSL... And yes it makes a difference.

Loose Stools · 01-24-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Earl of Pimpwich

I just downloaded this EAC w/LAME software as I've been meaning to archive my CD's. This looks like a great program. Thanks.

Could you post a link, please. I didn't see Lame from the link above.

Thanks

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-24-2010, 12:28 AM

EAC and FLAC - Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase

The Earl of Pimpwich · 01-24-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Stools

Could you post a link, please. I didn't see Lame from the link above.

Thanks

Not sure that I'm using the right terminology. But this will come up in the EAC configuration if you haven't gotten there yet. Basically when this thread came up I googled some info and found the article below. In the get your software section they suggest EAC and then describe the additional suggested steps for the LAME encoder and tagging.

How To: Rip Your Music Like a Pro - How To - Gizmodo

In a pylon st8ofmind · 01-24-2010, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Earl of Pimpwich

Not sure that I'm using the right terminology. But this will come up in the EAC configuration if you haven't gotten there yet. Basically when this thread came up I googled some info and found the article below. In the get your software section they suggest EAC and then describe the additional suggested steps for the LAME encoder and tagging.

How To: Rip Your Music Like a Pro - How To - Gizmodo

dBpoweramp Music Converter

Is another painless way to do this. I don't think it's free though.

I got it free though of course.

I wish everyone could be enjoying both the opoids and the music I am right now.