Convert Track on CD to MP3?

[maurices5000]

How do you convert a track on CD to MP3 format?

[pentachris]

Rip & encode. Ripping is the process of grabbing the track(s) from the CD and putting them on your hard drive, usually in .wav format. Encoding is the process of converting the .wav files to Mpeg-1 Layer 3 (aka mp3), or whatever you're converting to.

Some programs will do the encoding on the fly while you rip. I prefer to do them separately, but make sure you've got a relativley modern processor if you want to do them at the same time.

There are tons of programs out there that do these tasks. Most of the free ones require that you download a separate encoding .dll (such as this one (http://www.mpex.net/en/software/details/lamedll.html)) to do the encoding. Perhaps you have Nero installed on your system? Use the "Record Tracks" feature under the Extras menu (if my memory of Nero 5.x is correct). I don't remember how to get it configured with the LAME dll, but it's possible.

If you don't have Nero, you can also use something like Exact Audio Copy (http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/) to rip and Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) to encode.

[Sylvander]

CDex = http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/downloads.php is free.
Here http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/features.php are its features.
It is simple to use, isn't heavy on resources, will rip from CD to wave or MP3, convert between wave & MP3 and does other things like recording.
Has some nice technical features.
I've used it for years and like it more the more I use it.
I'm using version 1.51.
This http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/gfx/ss1.jpg is how it looks.
You just highlight the tracks and click one of the buttons on the right [the new ones aren't quite so obvious in meaning as those] to rip or convert.
The files get stored in a location you specify in the configuraqtion settings.

[pentachris]

Yeah, I'd heard of that one, Sylvander, but never checked it out to see what it could do. Looks like exactly what maurices5000 needs. Does it come with its own encoder? Which one is it?

I looked around (http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/index.php) and found out that it uses the Lame encoder.

[Sylvander]

It's definitely worth trying.
I don't like the more complex progs; finding things is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
This thing actually does some pretty complex things if you want to delve in the configuration settings, but to do work with it is really simple/easy.
Encoder?
What's an encoder?
Now, see that's what I mean about technical stuff; too complex.
Let me check and get back.
OK, it has a GReeeat list of encoders [available for selection in a dropdown box] too long to quote.
The one that's presently being used is "Lame MP3 Encoder (version 1.30 Engine 3.92 MMX)".

[Sylvander]

FEATURES
[Adjustable in "Options->Settings".]
1. Will "normalise" sound volume levels and you can configure the exact level [I have it set at 90%].
2. Specify where to hold temp files.
3. Tick-boxes for Auto shutdown after ripping/encoding & Digital CD playback.
4. ID3 tags [don't know what those are].
5. Specify the format of auto file naming.
6. Specify the location of ripped/encoded files.
7. Lots of tick-boxes specifying how the CD-drive should operate.
8. Lots of encoder options too numerous to list.
9. Lots of "Local CDDB Settings" options.
10. Lots of "Remote CDDB" options.

[maurices5000]

Thanks guys for the info! I'll check it out!