Hi, I just bought an ipod to replace my Rio Karma that crashed. My music was in OGG format, so I need to re-rip it all into AAC or MP3. I've been reading forums and it seems the consensus is that the most recommended option is LAME apx/apc/eps encoding. Everyone seems to be talking about this. Problem is, I can't figure out what it is! From studying the web, it sound like LAME is a method for creating MP3 files. Is that true? How do I get LAME/aac/apx/etc? What else should I know? I've searched the web for info about LAME but the results are far to varied to help me figure out what to do. Is there a specific ripping/encoding software I should get which will rip a CD into MP3 files using the recommended lame/apx/aps/eps methods?

Thanks!

Mitch

please, read the FAQ first.

but mostly, LAME is an MP3 encoder implementation ... AAC is better than MP3 generaly, as concluded from the listening test and is ipods native format.

You can download LAME at http://www.rarewares.org/ and help related info is included in the zip file. LAME is a command line encoder that you can use with DAE (Digital Audio Extraction) programs such as CDex, EAC, Audiograbber, etc, to create MP3 files. The highest quality settings (and most tested / finely tuned) in LAME are available as presets, such as --alt-preset standard, --alt-preset extreme, etc. These are switches used in the command line to tell the encoder what setting to encode your wave file to. Which preset you wish to use is up to you, though I think --alt-preset standard is the most recommened one. See the stickies in this forum for recommended builds and settings.

Feel free to ask any other questions and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.

Edit: Spell/grammer fixes.

I would highly recommend to give AAC encoding with iTunes a try. I personally use 192kbps and am completely satisfied with the sound quality on my iPod. I don't use iTunes to do the actual ripping though. I rip using EAC and encode to FLAC (lossless) and then encode the resulting WAV files using iTunes for my pod. Be sure to replace the Apple poor-excuse-for-earbuds that came with the iPod if you really want good sound. They are notoriously bad. A set of Sennheiser MX-series earbuds are dirt cheap and sound miles (kilometers...?) better. Even better are the PX100's, though they are not earbuds.

Do a few searches around HA and I'm sure you will find plenty of information to help.

the easiest way you can rerip everything to aac is to use itunes. i would recommend using lame and easiest way to do that is using cdex. EAC is good too but little bit tougher to use the first time.