Ripping Tips

Ripping Tips

Pick the right encoder, format, and bit rate.

Ripping a CD is easy; finding a setup that sounds great can take some tweaking. With the right tools and a little forethought, you'll be ripping like a pro.

Real Easy Ripping

Forget basic ripping software like Windows Media Player and the free version of RealPlayer--they're too restrictive. Windows Media Player 9 can rip music to WMA files, but you'll still need to buy extra software to rip to MP3. And RealPlayer can encode to Real Media format or AAC at high bit rates, but it encodes MP3s at only low bit rates. For good quality MP3s, you'll want to encode your music at higher bit rates than those offered by RealPlayer.
Several free Windows programs, like CDex and EAC, can rip to a variety of formats without such problems. I use CDex: It's simple and can rip music to any MP3 bit rate using LAME, an encoder consistently rated best in MP3 encoder listening tests. CDex can also rip from roughed-up CDs: Its Paranoia mode adds an extra level of error checking that compensates for scratches on the CD.
Choosing the Right Format

Before you rip away, think about what format you want to use for encoding your CD: Should it be the ubiquitous MP3 format, the open-source Ogg Vorbis, or a proprietary one like Microsoft Windows Media Audio?

Generally, you should use the format you can do the most with. While many devices support a proprietary format or two, pretty much everything reads MP3 files.
Normalize the Volume

Music is recorded at different volume levels. If you're listening to an entire CD, you just knock the volume up or down a notch--not a problem. But when a playlist pulls tracks from all over your library, these differences can jump right out at you. You can sidestep this problem by normalizing the volume when you rip. The software analyzes the volume of the track and adjusts it so it plays at the same volume as the other tracks. Most MP3 rippers, including CDex, have options to normalize music automatically as it is ripped.

Alternatives to Your Everyday Media Player

Don't get stuck in a rut with the same software.
Hey Windows Media users! And you ITunes folks, too. We know that you put up with your media player's problems and adapt your behavior to make it work. But you don't have to. Other media players are out there--and one may do exactly what you're looking for.

If you use Windows Media Player, try...

Musicmatch: If you prefer WMA files, Musicmatch can encode and play them just as well as Media Player can, and its file library is easier to use. Plus you can rip files into MP3 format--something you can't do with Media Player. The Plus version gives you faster ripping, faster burning, and more.

RealPlayer 10: Anything Windows Media Player can do, RealPlayer can do better. RealPlayer can play WMA music files and AVI video files just like Windows Media Player can, and it also plays Real's proprietary formats. Plus the integrated music store makes it easy to buy new tracks for your library. And compared to older versions of Real software, RealPlayer 10 seems lithe and less invasive.

If you use ITunes, consider...

Winamp 5.0 Pro: ITunes is easy to use, but power users may find it restricting. Winamp allows you to customize file names and folder structure for songs you encode, and it rips at up to 48X. You have to shell out $15 to get the full features, but the outlay is worth it. The interface is not as clean as ITunes', but try different skins to see if you can find one you like.

RealPlayer 10: Just because you buy tracks from ITunes Music Store, you don't have to use ITunes to listen to them. RealPlayer can play your ITunes songs, manage your IPod, and work with WMA files. And now it's available for Mac users, too.