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Topic: Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3 (Read 2977 times) previous topic - next topic
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Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3

CDex 1.50 with hydrogenaudio.org's LAME 3.90.3 build

1. Download the following:

a. CDex 1.50        http://www.cdex.n3.net
      This is the CD ripping software.

b. LAME 3.90.3      http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....=ST&f=15&t=478&
      This is the MP3 encoder.

c. WNASPI32.DLL   http://www.nero.com/en/index.html#c1023694368810
      This is the CD drive ASPI layer.


2. Install CDex.


3. Extract lameenc.dll from the LAME package into the CDex directory.


4. Extract WNASPI32.DLL into the CDex directory.


5. Open CDex.

a. Configure accordingly using the Wizard.

b. Go to Options | Settings | Encoder tab.

c. Set the following:
Encoder : Lame MP3 Encoder
On-the-fly MP3 Encoding : checked

For excellent balance of quality and size:
Quality : --alt-preset standard

For portable audio players:
Quality : --alt-preset ABR
ABR : 96

Output Samplerate : Auto

Leave everything else at their defaults.


Happy encoding! 

-calp

-----

I didn't notice a sticky on this subject so I decided to put my experience into a guide. I would appreciate any feedback from you folks, especially with the formatting of this message. I'm new to posting. Thanks a lot.

(Modified: Thanks to honz for pointing out the use of lame_enc.dll instead of lame.exe.)

Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3

Reply #1 –
CDex can use DLL files for on the fly encoding.

Look here for setup guide:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/alexanderino/cdex/

Download LAME 3.90.3 here, use the DLL file with CDex, overwrite the DLL that comes with CDex:
http://rarewares.hydrogenaudio.org/files/l...lame-3.90.3.zip

Automatically uses Noise Shaping mode 1 with --alt-preset standard/extreme/insane.
No need to specify -Z in the commandline for highest quality anymore.

Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3

Reply #2 –
Maybe this thread: Cdex Vs Eac : The Results ! in the FAQ is part of the reason you didn't find a sticky?

I don't know, but I had a look in the FAQ, because I thought it would be strange if it wasn't there.

Btw: After I found EAC, I don't feel the need to try other rippers anymore.... 

Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3

Reply #3 –
Actually, I started using CDex because EAC was giving me more errors with my drive and CDex's interface is more robust IMHO.

Thanks for pointing out the links! Somebody should put a sticky in this forum to that section of the FAQ.
 

Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3

Reply #4 –
Quote
Actually, I started using CDex because EAC was giving me more errors with my drive

LOL; That is the standard "head in the sand" procedure I don't see it -> it's not there. Well if that makes you feel better go ahead... Did you actually read Pio2001's CDex vs EAC?

Personal experience:
I tried ripping a Nirvana disk ones, it was very old (the disk) with few visible scratches:
EAC: at track 2 starts getting real slow and completely dies (error) after about 15minutes
Plextools: same place, same behavior (unrecoverable error)
CDex (full paranoia): nothing, nada, nicht: ripped the disk without a hitch -> wav1
so I say hmm weird lets try again
CDex (full paranoia): nothing, nada, nicht: ripped the disk without a hitch -> wav2

Ok, now I compare wav1 and wav2, no surprise there, at track 2 there are significant differences.

Conclusion: I've done my homework and prefer to know when there is an error instead of ignoring it.

Beginner's Guide to CD --> MP3

Reply #5 –
No, no, no. There were actual pops and clicks in the wav generated by EAC whereas the one by CDex did not. If anything, it's because EAC wasn't set up properly and CDex was dummy proofed for dummies like me.