i want to convert some of my cds into mp3s so i can do one big mp3 cd instead of 3-4 disks. what can i use to convert the songs and where do i get it?

I use AudioCatalyst, but you can use Nero, and many other programs.

Have a look here: http://download.com.com/sort/3150-2140-0-1-6.html?

You'll need something called a CD "Ripper" or "Ripping" software. Just google up a search for some good free ones. I think real jukebox rips CDs, but not sure on quality. Windows media payer rips, but I believe only to wma's and at 96k bitrate :(

I use EAC to rip the music to WAV files, then Lame to enclose them to MP3's. It's not the easiest to use, but seems to be the best quality.

Yuppers, im a complete lame baby :)

audiograbber
http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/

Well worth paying for ($20 ~£12) as its a very nice bit of sofwtare. It can even cope with compilation albums and gets the ID3 tags right with the artist name instead of 'various'.

It uses Lame to do the encoding which is free.

I use EAC to rip the music to WAV files, then Lame to enclose them to MP3's. It's not the easiest to use, but seems to be the best quality.

Snap. :)

What command line option do you use? I settled on "--preset fast extreme" as the best for me.

--preset extreme

What's the 'fast' do (I can feel an obvious answer coming...)

well my assuption would be that it will include more errors in the resulting file (these will show up as skips and unwanted sounds in the final mp3)

and i also use audiograbber but i stopped using lame now i have found frauenhofer codec :)

The fast significantly increases the speed, but as for loss in quality....well, only your ears can answer that one. You could always try insane instead of extreme.....theoretically the best you'll get using Lame. I haven't had any errors at all using the fast setting btw....

I haven't really bothered with any other codecs.....guess I should try, but I'm just so lazy. :D

Oh, and I don't think the fraunhofer codec is as good as Lame for VBR's....

wouldnt know i never do VBRs

are they actually any better i know how they work etc. just always stuck with a non variable bitrate

Better? Err...subjective one I guess. What I do like about the VBR is that the bitrate constantly changes with the complexity of the track.

For those that don't know what a VBR is....the more complex the piece, the higher the bitrate (up to 320kbps).....the lower the complexity, the lower the bitrate. I'm not 100% sure if you can set a minimum or not, but the preset I use doesn't let it drop below 128kbps I think.

The beauty is that you get an mp3 that takes up less space than a ABR encoded mp3, but without the loss of quality....in theory. :)

I'd be interested to know what you think if you try it, and how you think it compares to your ABR's.

-insane looks to barely compress it at all, I've tried it and the files are HUGE, may as well just rip it uncompressed!

-insane looks to barely compress it at all, I've tried it and the files are HUGE, may as well just rip it uncompressed!

LOL...... :D

which is why i have stuck with fixed bitrate as it means i can almost tell you the file size without checking :)

Personally don't have a problem with file sizes though. Same when I rip DVD's to DivX....I won't stick to 700mb or whatever, as I like to retain some quality!

Hard drives are cheap, and I still have room in my other rigs for more, so space isn't an issue. :)

CDex works well for ripping, uses Lame, does VBR etc and also gets the CD track info from an online catalogue. Even my most obscure CD's haven't fooled it yet! :)

After that you can use MP3Gain to normalise the volumes of the tracks/ albums.

Personally don't have a problem with file sizes though. Same when I rip DVD's to DivX....I won't stick to 700mb or whatever, as I like to retain some quality!

Hard drives are cheap, and I still have room in my other rigs for more, so space isn't an issue. :)

i normally encode X-viDs at 2 x 700mb virtually the same quality as the original :)

although my 700mb rips are also of higher than average quality anyway :)

one awesome thing is my bro works in the local vid shop so i have to pay nothing for dvds or games :D

i have nearly finished need for speed underground having never owned it :D

Finished it last year, top game. :)