Best way to rip CD's

Posted by: MontyMusic on 24 January 2010

All,

I've just purchased an Apple Time Machine in order to store my music files.

I was about to rip into iTunes (apple lossless) but have read bits on this forum and others that FLAC is a better format. (I've ripped in 320kbps mp3 before and want to upgrade)

You've no doubt been asked a million times but what is the best Mac software to use to rip and play these files. Everything I've come across on the www seems very complex. I use iTunes normally but I understand FLAC can't be ripped here. I like the fact that iTunes tags and files the songs for me. Is there a similar program (which doesn't cost the earth) that can do what iTunes does with FLAC? Does FLAC really sound better than apple lossless?

I just need pointing in the right direction. I don't want to spend weeks ripping files only to find a better way later....!

Thanks Confused
Posted on: 30 January 2010 by Music_Addict
quote:
Originally posted by John Bailey:
No - SongBook for the Mac by Bookshelf Apps.

It's not free, is really also a control point for various players - but it does include a nice ripper.


The Mac version is free ?
...but seems to be limited without a license??
(Installed, Rip OK, But Can't play music..)

The iPhone version is outrageously expensive for that type of App on the store...64.99€ !!???

Just for the "RIP" (:-) )functionality, I would remain very happy with XLD which seems to be a lot quicker than SongBook to rip a CD.
When you Rip hundreds of CDs, that count...

On SongBook The interface is quite nice (another iTune like..), it's mainly I suppose dedicated to multi room management.

I don't have that need currently even if I am thinking about Unity...but need to breath a little bit after 35k€ spent on Naim products last month...My wife 's going to kill me if I buy ANYTHING more... Winker )

Rgds
MA
Posted on: 30 January 2010 by John Bailey
MA

SongBook is not a player/streamer (renderer) but a control point for a streamer.

So it goes NAS (running a UPnP server)>SongBook>Streamer.

If you (or I for that matter) had a Linn DS or Naim HDX we could use SongBook to pull the files off the NAS and push them to the DS/HDX where they would be replayed.

It's a sort of big remote control with playlists etc but it also contains a ripper which checks against an accurate rip database to get bit perfect rips.

It is but one part of the chain really.
Posted on: 30 January 2010 by Music_Addict
quote:
Originally posted by John Bailey:
So it goes NAS (running a UPnP server)>SongBook>Streamer.


Ok, I understand now... Roll Eyes

But not "any" UPnP Server...it do not recognize the several I have...running on my NAS or on other devices I have on my network...

I am going to remove it from my machine...useless (for me)
Posted on: 30 January 2010 by John Bailey
MA

Fair enough.

I did find (testing it with a copy of Plugplayer on my iPhone) that I had to set Plugplayer to be able to be controlled by UPnP devices so maybe that is why it did not recognise any devices.

If you are using SqueezeServer that is not UPnP as I understand it.

I still like the ripper part though.
Posted on: 30 January 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by Music_Addict:
quote:
Originally posted by John Bailey:
So it goes NAS (running a UPnP server)>SongBook>Streamer.


Ok, I understand now... Roll Eyes

But not "any" UPnP Server...it do not recognize the several I have...running on my NAS or on other devices I have on my network...

I am going to remove it from my machine...useless (for me)


That's the problem with UPnP technology not all servers, codecs, control points and media renderers work with eachother. You have to find the lucky combination.

-
aleg