Do you rip your CDs?

[Kaesekopf]

My cellphone plays FLAC file types.  So, since I have some free time over the next two weeks (and access to a CD-ROM drive), I am converting some of my music from CD to the FLAC file format. 

I've been using this guide for free use of it.  So far, it seems to have been going well. 
EAC Beginner's Set-up

(However, for one step - "additional command line options," this text was required...)

-8 -V -T "TITLE=%title%" -T "ARTIST=%artist%" -T "ALBUMARTIST=%albumartist%" -T "ALBUM=%albumtitle%" -T "DATE=%year%" -T "TRACKNUMBER=%tracknr%" -T "TRACKTOTAL=%numtracks%" -T "GENRE=%genre%" -T "COMMENT=%comment%" -T "PERFORMER=%albuminterpret%" -T "COMPOSER=%composer%" %source% -o %dest%

The initial wave for FLAC conversion is my 5 volume set of the Beethoven symphonies as performed by the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra as directed by Janos Ferencsik.  I've enjoyed listening to them on CD, so I figure why not.  Plus, I picked them all up for $10, so it's hard to argue with that kind of deal.

After that, I am not sure what I will convert to FLAC.  It takes a decent amount of time, and I am trying to stray away from my older musical tastes (since they are not very edifying!). 

Is anyone else this anal about their music?  haha.  Also, do you have any experience in doing this?  Did I mention that I love my phone?  And PowerAmp, the music player I have on my phone!

[tmw89]

Always happy to see somebody post about FLAC.

I discovered the format online 4ish years ago, and haven't looked back since. You're on the right track with EAC, as it's my understanding it is the best CD-ripping software available freely or otherwise.

But if you're REALLY anal about your music, you need to venture into the dark realm of SACD and vinyl-rips... the kind of stuff that leaves you with a song which weighs in at over 100mb (and that's after lossless compression to FLAC!) After a few listens to dynamic 24 bit / 192 khz vinyl rips, I think you'll find that the paltry 16 bit / 44.1 khz of CD won't cut it any longer.

Also, le headphones: http://www.head-fi.org/a/2012-head-fi-holiday-gift-guide-over-ear

[Kaesekopf]

I want some Shure cans. 

Maybe a birthday gift for me in 2013... 

[tmw89]

Talking about this kind of stuff after Christmas... and knowing my birthday is no time soon... I would not be able to hold out, and definitely go through a Christmas gift card or two.

[Kaesekopf]

Talking about this kind of stuff after Christmas... and knowing my birthday is no time soon... I would not be able to hold out, and definitely go through a Christmas gift card or two.

Haha.  Yeah.  I'm 9 months away...  I only got those engineering-related things for Christmas though.  #engineerworldproblems  haha!

[Hat And Beard]

A year ago I didn't care about this sort of thing. Since I started getting back into playing music and also my academic interests heading in the direction of digital signal processing, I've exploded into this. All of my music is ripped using Asunder CD Ripper. I haven't gone out and bought a nice pair of headphones yet, but it's high on my list.

[Ben]

I ripped with Flac for a while, but converted it all to 128 mp3 after I realized my ears weren't sharp enough to detect any difference. Saved me lots of hard drive space.

I'm picky about the quality of my video rips.

[Greg]

I no longer use CDs.  Everything is digital on flash drives, smartphones and similar.  I am even moving away from this now and just using Youtube to listen to any music that takes my fancy.  Pretty much everything is on there.  Since I am permanently connected to the Internet by high speed broadband, 60mbit download and have a mobile with 24 hour fixed cost Internet this is the best way.

CDs to me are just more plastic to lose, misplace, damage.

I downloaded about 12 gb of pirated music in the days of Napster and hardly ever listened to stuff.  I still have it on my hard drive in a folder but Youtube has made it inconvenient and useless to me.

I think Youtube is the way it is heading.  At some point they will charge a small amount for the content if they cannot support it with advertising.  I watch old Laurel and Hard shorts, movies, documentaries and Russian cartoons for be kids on YouTube everyday.

[LouisIX]

I used to torrent everything.  Movies, music, even software and games.  I don't think that it is morally acceptable anymore, however.

As with Greg, I no longer purchase cds, however.  I recently read that country music fans are the only thing keeping the cd alive.

[Kaesekopf]

I used to torrent everything.  Movies, music, even software and games.  I don't think that it is morally acceptable anymore, however.

As with Greg, I no longer purchase cds, however.  I recently read that country music fans are the only thing keeping the cd alive.

This is what I used to do.  Of course, I used to pirate some utter trash, so I'm a lot more judicious in my media choices.

However, the country music thing kind of surprises me.

The other thing I use is Pandora.  I find it easier to use than Youtube (lazy much?) and typically it gets my musical tastes right.

[MilesChristi]

because all other music fans illegally download their music, it seems.

[tmw89]

because all other music fans illegally download their music, it seems.

"Morally, digital replication and distribution cannot be theft or robbery" - see http://www.suscipedomine.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0

[MilesChristi]

I didn't say it was theft.
If it was, I'd be in big trouble.

[tmw89]

I didn't say it was theft.
If it was, I'd be in big trouble.

[Pheo]

I rip all my classical CDs with either FLAC or Apple Lossless (I have too much Macturd stuff to care about whether or not it's compatible with X device).

And I just got these for Christmas...now I'm glad that that's what I've been doing all along (Bose QC 15):



For those who want to rip lossless on a Mac, I'd recommend XLD.  It's a great little utility and has way more options than iTunes could ever dream of.