MetaChat - Tech help needed, please!!

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30 August 2005

Tech help needed, please!! →[More:]I need to convert .cda files to .mp3 files. I have Nero and was under the (mistaken?) impression that I could convert files, either on the fly or prior to burning, using that software. So far the result has been a growing collection of useless discs. I also have iTunes, which will allow me to import them, but then they become .mp4 files. *head explodes*

My biggest concern is that I have a number of CD's that I've been unable to find for purchase online in .mp3 formats - or at all, for that matter - and would like to be able to access that material without using the CD or iTunes, exclusively.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

post by: Frisbee Girl at: 14:09 | 4 comments

Ok, itunes will convert CDs (or .cda files) to MP3 instead of .AAC/MP4. You just need to go into your Preferences and find the Ripping/Import options, then switch it to MP3 and your choice of bitrate.

Of course, it'll still drop the files in the freaking itunes directory, but whatever.

A number of other programs will also do this conversion, including CDex.

I'm guessing that you want to create CD-Rs with MP3 files on them instead of CD tracks. So you'll want to A: convert the CD or .cda files to MP3s, then B: use Nero or another burning app to burn the CD as a data disk.

posted by selfnoise 30 August | 14:22

There's two reasons why I've installed iTunes: Ripping, and building playlists with the search function.

I'm not an expert at digital audio and compression, but to my ears the iTunes CD to MP3 ripper does an excellent job compared to everything else I've tried.

If you have the hard drive space for it, set it to rip MP3s as high rate VBRs (Variable Bit Rates). I usually manually set mine to 160k on the low end, to 320k on the high end.

If the CD exists in the CDDB, iTunes will automatically label your mp3s and stick them in a folder. You can play them from there in any MP3 player, or move/copy them to wherever you like for playback and sorting.

posted by loquacious 30 August | 19:29

Really?? You prefer iTunes to the Exact Audio Copy + Lame combination? (Except now that drives are so cheap and big, I'd recommend EAC + FLAC then Lame.)

posted by kmellis 30 August | 19:49

Thanks guys, I'll give these a try.

posted by Frisbee Girl 31 August | 03:34

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