CD ripping software

[Lykeios]

... seeing as I'm currently re-building my MP3 collection... can anybody recommend some ripping software? currently using Audiograbber but finding it a tad awkward and slow...

would prefer something which is free/cheap to use...

[Tarryk]

I use the freeware proggie called "freeripmp3". It's very small, very easy (always checks online database, just set options to target directory, filename format, select all and rip), and has the added functionality of quick conversion from wav to mp3.

The newer versions are loaded with adspame and shareware registration crap, though. I have an older version of the freeware which is much more usable. Shoot me an email at my file addy: tarryk@gmail.com and I'll send you a copy of it if you're interested.

[Decavolt]

I've been really happy with CDeX as a free ripper and converter (click here for a review). It's small, very powerful, and does a great job. I can even use it while running AO and streaming a show to rip CDs on the fly and it doesn't drag my system down or produce bad audio files.

I haven't used freeripmp3 but I have heard a lot of good things about earlier versions.

iTunes for PC is free, but I personally think it's a clunky piece of $#!t and avoid it like the plague. Even on my OSX machine, I never use it.

[Lykeios]

Cheers guys Tarryk, email on it's way to ya and Deca shall check out the other one soon as I get off work as well

[Lauri]

Not sure why you're having problems with Audiograbber - I've used it for years now and it works perfectly. Maybe a reinstall?

And are you using the freeware version?

[Lykeios]

like I said, just finding it awkward, works fine, just seems very slow and hence looking for something better

[Lykeios]

Ok had to add this as it's currently got me in stitchs... Using CDeX and loving it so Thanks Decavolt ... however gotta love the CDDB...

Earlier I ripped Rammstein - Reise, Reise and it came up with multiple entries... one of which had it listed as being of the Genre... Jazz.

Next up was Rob Zombie - The Sinister Urge. which again had multiple entries. This time however we have Folk...

After this has finished I've got Shakira to do... so I'm guessing Death Metal? Industrial?

[brudus_maximus]

I use Itunes to rip all my music into very nice 320Kbs MP3s

[Decavolt]

Glad it's working for ya Lyk

And yeah, CDDB's have a bad habit of always getting genre's wrong. I think it's because most people don't bother to set the genre on their ID3 tags when the enter new track data, so it defaults or the CDDB tries to guess and does a shit job of it.

[Crushproof]

Just to add my two cents...

I use a free program called dBpowerAMP. I started using it after noticing that the guys from [H]ard|OCP use it as one of their tests to benchmark processors.

Anyway, it is downloadable here: http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm

It has a simple user interface, rips CDs very quickly, and generally works quite well.

[Gridfan]

I swear to EAC (Exact Audio Copy)
This is know to be the best cd ripping software out there,
it is not the fastest, but you can tweak the accuracy options til you are blue if
you get off on stuff like calibrating the laser head offset of the cd-rom and so on O.o

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

It also support FreeDB (similar to CDDB) so track names aren't a issue.
It's not a 1 click program, but it's not too complicated either,
if you want control over the quality that is...