I just received my first mp3 player and I want to convert my cd collection to mp3's. I have done a few with Windows Media Player 11 and the results sound fine, but I was wondering if there is a better way or player to convert them. There is something called LAME I see, but I am not sure if this the same as WMP. I want to do this right the first time. I enjoy the best quality possible.
No - WMP is an application, LAME is a codex. Those are routines stored in a DLL that both create and play a particular format. WMP is junk with junky codexs. LAME produces the highest quality mp3s I always rip with LAME but I convert lossless to mp3 with the Helix codex because it is almost as good and much faster. by the time you are 25 the few tiny defects are out of your hearing range. Using Helix does not speed up the ripping process enough to make it worthwhile. Stay away from apps that are funded buy stores that sell music. They are not your friend. They will screw you behind your back hoping you will need to buy music to correct your mistake. Check the last thread I responded to. It was titled something like ripping/burning with Media Player. You can see what happens to you if you trust M$ and suggestions how to rip correctly. If you do choose LAME be sure to use the slow and careful analysis setting as well as the extreme quality setting if you choose VBR mp3s. It is to use the VBRs that you need LAME or Helix. There is a concurrence of the open-minded audiophiles that LAME VBR set to maximum quality and careful analysis sounds identical to real/audio CD/analog. VBRs provide the smallest file for a given quality. They are the mp3s of choice among the informed, picky listeners for mp3 players. Be wary of persons claiming that they can tell the difference. There is a 99.999999% chance they can't. If they actually had substance they can lodge a complaint with LAME. But then you must submit an mp3 clip containing the defect and the source wave clip and clearly identify the defect at time and frequency and a description of how that defect sounds. If you lodge a complaint many members will check out your complaint before it is taken seriously. They either give praise or insults. Charlatans dare not place bogus claims in such a professional atmosphere. If the complaint is valid, they will fix it. They haven't received a valid complaint in years.
Thank you for your detailed response, Mez! Like the original poster, I want the best quality possible and do it right the first time. I'm going to d/l these programs and give it a try. I have a lot of music CDs and audio books that I wish to back up. Thanks again!!
If you don't mind spending 25 USD for a year, I highly reccomend you use PowerAmp Converter to rip for the first year. It is the best. EAC is also very good but PA uses paid for tag info databases. PA will flawlessly RIP you CD but will populate your tag info for you. EAC uses a free tag info which is great for popular music. I have used PA for 3 years. I will not renew since I will have done most of the ripping. I also do audio books and a good deal of rare CDs. FreeDB doesn't have 1 in 4 while the other is better than 99%. EAC is fine for an occasional disk. You can use PA for 30 days for free. I would use up your 30 days and rip all your rare stuff and audio books first.
