MP3 creation and other questions (1 Viewer)

[TomK]

Hey all,

I have never really got into the whole Mp3 thing, however now I want to and I know that you guys can give me the best answers. I'm more interested in music quality than compression.

1. What is the best program to rip mp3's? I'm currently using CDEX but there are issues with the ASPI driver for WinXP.
2. I've noticed that when I have ripped MP3's, the volume is different from CD to CD. There are programs to normalize the volume but are they degrading the music quality?

3. Any other recommendations?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Rob Gillespie]

To rip, use CDEX or Exact Audio Copy.
For MP3 encoding, use the Lame engine.
For some technical information....
www.r3mix.net

 

[Andy Olivera]

I've noticed that when I have ripped MP3's, the volume is different from CD to CD. There are programs to normalize the volume but are they degrading the music quality?

I'll second the suggestion for Exact Audio Copy. I've ripped around 1500 tracks without an error. It does have a feature for Normalization, too. It doesn't, to the best of my knowledge, degrade sound quality, as it normalizes by peak volume. Beware programs that normalize by average volume. They'll give you a more consistent volume between discs, but they have a nasty side effect of pushing louder passages to the point of clipping. For the same reason, don't normalize to >98%, even with EAC...