Author Topic: Convert CD tracks to mp3 (Read 1611 times)

chorleydave · « **on:** June 01, 2006, 22:55 »

My lad has bought one of these portable mp3 players that everyone under the age of 21 has permanently connected to their right ear. He wants to convert some of his CD tracks to mp3 so that he can listen to them in his new player. I did a Google and found an open source program that was supposed to do everything you could possibly want, but, like most open source stuff, once it was installed the instructions under "Help" were to go to another site to get a required .dll. (If these .dlls are necessary to do what is advertised, why oh why don't they come in the package?) I visited the given link, but the only thing I could find on the page was porn, so the program was uninstalled immediately.

Does anyone know of a free program that is complete (usable straight from the box) and will do the required job?

Thanks.

Simon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2006, 23:25 »

I usually use Sony Soundforge for that sort of stuff, but you wouldn't want anything like that, Dave. Not used this myself, but I had a look on Download.com, and came across Free CD to MP3 Converter, which may be of some use to you. I think you may have to download the LAME encoder, but that is common among most ripper / converters. You could also try Audio Crusher, from http://www.sysdesk.de/, but again, you will need the LAME encoder.

sam · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2006, 23:39 »

Quote

If these .dlls are necessary to do what is advertised, why oh why don't they come in the package?)

I think the actually encoders have some legality issues...

Anyway you could always install I-tunes, which is a pretty solid and complete package that allows you to do anything you like. Oh it is free. http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

chorleydave · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2006, 00:38 »

Thanks for the replies.

That Free CD to MP3 Converter did the job straight from the box, so he can use that for the time being. He is currently doing a 12 month residential course to qualify as an outward bound instructor and only comes back here when he has a couple of days off, but he has a computer in his room at the college with ITunes installed, so he says he'll have a play with that when he goes back on Saturday.

Thanks again.

GillE · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2006, 02:01 »

I suppose I'm a bit late if you've already found a program that meets your needs, but my immediate thought was Audacity, an excellent free piece of software.

Gill

Rodders · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2006, 09:23 »

Although it isn't free, I rip all my music using Winamp Pro. You really can't complain for the £10.70 it currently costs for a product which is constantly being improved and developed. :idea:

Simon · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2006, 11:01 »

Quote from: "Rodders"

Although it isn't free, I rip all my music using Winamp Pro. You really can't complain for the £10.70 it currently costs for a product which is constantly being improved and developed. :idea:

Is there any audible improvement in quality over the free products, Rod? I only ask, because I downloaded a whole load of MP3s in bulk last week, to make up a jukebox CD for the car, and I was disappointed in the sound quality of some of the reproductions. Obviously, the higher bit rate you use, the better the quality, but does the ripping tool also make a difference?

sam · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2006, 11:18 »

it can. cause sometimes the track will become out of sync and some have much better ways of dealing with this, applying digital corrections. I personally, and have done for a very long time, use Music Match (on windows machine) and now iTunes on my mac.

Simon · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2006, 11:31 »

Interesting. I never realised there was any difference, and just assumed a ripped MP3 was only quality controlled by the bit rate.

sam · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2006, 14:37 »

well it should be, but you do get read errors.. if everything was perfect then yep thats all that would be the issue.