Create MP3 Files from a Compact Disc
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Converting a CD into MP3 files is a three step process: ripping, getting the artist's information, and conversion/compression.
1. Ripping
Ripping means converting the files on the CD to a smaller format. The files on a CD are stored in a raw digital format. Before the files can be converted into MP3 files, the digital information is read from the CD and saved as WAV files on your computer. Because these files are uncompressed, they are very large (40 MB or more each). Most programs deleted these files as soon as the conversion to MP3 is complete.
2. Artist Information
One of the really nice things about MP3 files is that the artist information is stored in the MP3 file. Information like artist, album, title, etc. can be displayed while the file is played. This artist information is not stored on the CD and must be obtained elsewhere. You can get this information automatically if your computer has a connection to the Internet. If you don't have an Internet connection you can type the information in yourself.
3. Conversion/Compression
Once you have the WAV files and the artist information they are combined and compressed into an MP3 file.
Ok — how do you do it?
If your desktop is running Windows xp, the process is very simple, because xp uses Windows Media Player 10 to automatically rip music. Just put a music CD in your CD drive. You will get a dialogue box asking you want you want to do. Choose “RIP music from CD.” You will need to make sure the format is set to MP3 in order for the resulting files to work with your handheld. By default, the files will be ripped to your My Documents/My Music folder.
If your desktop is not running Windows xp, there are many software applications that automate the CD to MP3 conversion process. You may already have software that does this.
Macintosh computers come with a program called iTunes. For more information, visit The iTunes support site.
Popular programs for Windows include Easy CD Ripper, Express Rip, and FreeRIP. You can search the Internet for one you like. Here is one free open source program you might use.
After you download and install the program, you need to configure it before you can create your MP3 files. Launch the program and select the Options icon, and make the following selections:
- Output -> Output Folder: Changing this is optional (This is where your MP3 files are stored.)
- Output -> Encoder: Lame Encoder DLL
- Freedb -> Freedbserver: freedb.freedb.org
- Freedb -> Query script: make sure this ends with a '/'
- Freedb -> Submit script: make sure this ends with a '/'
- Click Get List
- Click Apply (Make sure you do this.)
- Click Ok
Now place a music CD into your CD drive and press the Refresh CD icon in the application. If everything is working, a list of the tracks on your CD will be displayed. Once the artist information is obtained, each track will display its song name.
If you don't see the artist information:
1. This may take a minute depending on your Internet connection.
2. Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
3. Double check that the Query string for freedb ends with a slash.
4. Double check that the Freedbserver is correct.
Now just press the Rip Tracks icon and wait while your CD is converted into MP3 files.
The MP3 files will be put in the folder specified in the output folder setting. By default this is C:\Program Files\CD-DA X-Tractor\output.
