What do you use to find CD info when ripping tracks?

Posted by: GeordieMike on 18 December 2011

At the moment I'm manually entering the track/album information for some of my older CDs into the Naim desktop software but I was wondering if there's a program that would allow me to do a lookup for this info and update automatically? Something that preferably integrates with the Naim desktop software.

Thanks

Posted on: 18 December 2011 by Guido Fawkes

What are you using for ripping tracks?

Generally speaking iTunes, XLD, Max or other ripping software will go and get the track names. If you are using a Naim ripper that stores tracks on Naim HDX or US then I'd check with Naim before using anything to edit a Naim store other than Naim's own software.

If you have ripped with standard Mac or Vortexbox (Linux) software (and I should think PC software too) then there are a fair few options, but I wouldn't like to recommend using one of these on Naim music store with advice from Naim.

As I understand it the HDX and US are pretty good at get track info - so are your CDs particularly rare as well as old? I have had some rare ones defeat iTunes, XLD etc.,

All the best, Guy

Posted on: 18 December 2011 by GeordieMike

Thanks for your reply. I'm ripping tracks on the HDX unit directly and then editing the track names in the Naim Desktop client. I have some really old jazz cd's though that the cd look up in the Naim client can't recognize whereas other software can (iTunes, media monkey etc). I wondered if any of these programs can be used in conjunction with the Naim desktop client to help me with cd look-up.

Posted on: 18 December 2011 by Guido Fawkes

The problem I think is Naim doesn't publish an Application Programmer's Interface (API) as far as I know so it is quite difficult for third party software to talk to Naim software. I suspect Naim fear that if they let somebody like me write programs then I could mess things up by writing data in the wrong place.

Unfortunately I don't know enough about the Desktop Client or PCs, but I have written programs that fill in screens on Mac OS X. So it must be possible on other systems. Hopefully somebody will comment.

Alternatively drop Phil Harris a note at Naim and ask if he has any tips for doing this. It is his software and he knows it inside out and is very helpful.

I know the HDX music store on the disc uses a special structure so you need to understand it really well. There may be a way to persuade the DTC to look at a different database such as Gracenote, which is the one iTunes uses.

Posted on: 18 December 2011 by Gale 401

Or just get Richard to move it over to the What is now called the streaming audio room.

I would do what Guy said above and give Phil a ring or mail at Naim HQ.

He his a very helpful chap.

As most are at Naim

Stu

Posted on: 18 December 2011 by GeordieMike

Thanks guys!

Posted on: 19 December 2011 by Richard Dane

Mike,

When the HDX lookup through AMG comes up with a blank it defaults to Freedb, which usually has just about anything and everything, but not always totally accurate info. Of course, if it's really obscure then even this will fail. I'll move this to Streaming Audio and flag it for Phil.

Posted on: 19 December 2011 by Massimo Bertola

Just for the love of completeness of information, when I was using Windows XP to manage my files, I downloaded >Easy CD Extractor<. It costs little, has a free version, rips, converts, writes, finds all metadata, has a number of ripping option comparable to those of EAC, works well, is often updated.

I still regret I can't use it on the Mac.

Anyone having a PC, just try it.

Cheers,

Max