CDs-> MP3's

[hhh8785]

Does anyone know how you take a CD and turn a song into an MP3?

[seti]

The easist is realjukebox. Just make sure you have it set to encode to mp3 and not the real audio. Though you get shaddy recording with it...only 96kbs unless you buy the plus version. I'm only truely happy with 160kbs, 128kbs is ok, but you can hear enough loss to make a difference.

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 03-07-2000).]

[Szech]

Can you really tell the difference between 128K and 160K??? I plugged my comp into my friend's $1000 stereo system, and I honestly couldn't. Then again, I have a cheap soundcard, but does that make that much of a difference? I can definitely tell the difference between 112K and 128K, but 128 and 160 are all the same to me.

[JW310]

I personally use AudioCatalyst (http://www.audiocatalyst.com) to take tracks off of CDs and turn them into MP3s. It's a retail program, but there's a shareware program called AudioGrabber (http://www.audiograbber.com)that does the same thing.

As for 128 kbps vs. any other bit rate, I can't tell the difference between 128 and anything higher. Anything lower, on the other hand, sounds downright terrible compared to at 128. 128kbps bit rate is also where the compression is closest to 1MB/minute for MP3 audio.

JW

[seti]

Yes sir I can tell the difference. I have a SBLive x-gamer with a digital connection to Cambridge DTT-2500's. I've experimented with both 128 and 160 of the same song (ripped with audio catalyst) and decided that the extra sound quality was worth the extra space. 128 sounds very good, don't get me wrong, but it's just a bit dirty. I listen mostly to new school punk so it might be more noticeble. I say that because the the place I here the difference the most is in the insanely fast drum beats. There's also a slight audio difference between 160 and 192...but all I can pick up is a bit of clarity on drum rolls and such, and I have to be concentrating too hard to be enjoying the music. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I end up listining to 128kps shoutcast most of the time anyway. I really wish VQF would emerge. It's amazing. a 80kps vqf is comparible to a 128kps mp3.
http://www.vqf.com/faq.php3

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 03-07-2000).]

[richamies]

The biggest difference between 128kbit and 160kbit is that 128kbit has a slightly tinny sound, the treble seems to carry on after it is supposed to stop. The effect is hardly audible at 160kbit.

I found the best software to be cdex ( http://www.surf.to/cdex ) and the best codec was called the Fraunhofer, the best release was an 'unofficial' one by the FHG-Radium group and it allowed up to 320kbit/s. I wont link to it as it isn't an official release(for those of you who haven't latched on yet say to yourselves 'aye aye captain' http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif) and I'd prefer to keep sysopts name clear http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.

Try a search for 'Fraunhofer codec' http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by richamies (edited 03-07-2000).]

[johnpaul]

hhh,
I use Audiograbber and it works fine. The shareware version, however, has limitations that only serve to tease you into buying the full version. At least, that's how it worked with me.

JP

[oblivion]

email me if you need a link to audiocatlyst