I've read through hundreds of forums looking for advice on what file format to use for ripping CDs to a compressed audio file of some description. I had previously been using CDex's standard MP3 settings at 128Kbps. I had heard and believed this format to be the most like 'CD-quality' - but apparently things have progrssed since those days. I'll be honest, I don't mind the sound 128kbps gives me in most cases. However, after reading through the multitude of forums, FAQs and information web sites - I have come to the conclusion that there is NO such things as 'CD-quality'. People's opinions vary from site to site, forum to forum, day to day, codec to codec. MP3, MP3Pro, MPC, OGG, AAC, WMA ... I just don't know.

So, I have decided since it's MY CD collection, I might as well do MY OWN testing to see what format I prefer.

Ok, so here comes your part:
I know a bit about MP3, and the LAME encoder seems to be the best for that - plus it's easy to figure out setting for. However, when it come to Musepack, Vorbis and AAC ... I have no idea.
Can someone please enlighten me as to what all these "--xtreme" "--braindead" "--xlevel" settings do, and more importantly - how do I work then into CDex? Also, CDex's default command line for Musepack (yes, I have the external encoder hooked up) is "--verbose %1 %2". What are the %x's for? Is there like a manual or something with all these setting written down? I've found some forums on settings but none seem to use CDex and none use %'s.

I really like CDex and want to continue using it as my front end. If this is not possible or not recommended, please let me know (and why) so I can download some of the other decoders for those particular file types.

Any help is much appreciated. And I hope no one minds, but I'm going to cross-post this over to a few other forums too.

Thanks in advance.

I'd try ogg vorbis -q 4 first. It's around 128kbps but sounds much better then mp3 at this bitrate.

If you don't mind higher bitrates, go with mpc - the king of lossy codecs (check out this thread). Forget mp3pro and wma.


Ya, cdex is ok if you use paranoia, full mode. The most secure ripper is EAC though.

damage07: at least check the sticky threads at MP3 general and MPC general forums.

You could also use the search function. These are very common questions..

damage07:



%1 is replaced with the filename of the input file (i.e., the WAV file to be encoded), %2 with the filename of the output file.

It's in the CDex help file, BTW.

I'd seriously recommend switching to EAC though. This is one of the reasons why.

CU

Dominic