Hi there guys, I wonder if you could help me with my current task. I'm researching the most practical (not to mention expedient) way that I might encode a large catalog of CD's to WAV and mp3 (in both 32 and 96 kbps). I realize I can do this with many different programs, but I need to streamline my system for optimized productivity (we're talking about possibly 600 + cds that I'll have to rip). Is it even possible to rip a single CD to wav, 32kps mp3 and 96 kbps mp3 at the same time? Forgive me, but I only know so much about the technical limitations.

If I can't do everything at the same time (which I'm fairly certain I can't), I'd like to find a program that allows me to first rip from a cd to wav and then convert all of the ripped wavs to mp3 at the press of a button (preferably at 32 and 96kbps silmutaneously). I've been thinking about WaveLab for this, any thoughts on that program?

I'm also looking for a program that will allow me to fill in my ID3 fields en masse, like an excel spreadsheet, say. Something so I don't have to fill in the information for each mp3 manually.

Thank you for any assistance.

Search for EAC and MAREO. These tools will be very useful in your endeavor.

EAC can be configured to use external encoders to rip to multiple formats per RIP as well (search forums for MAREO and REACT, but there are others). There are tools like AutoFLAC and AutoEAC for automating the RIP process with EAC as well.

When it comes to shareware:

1. dbPowerAmp, as an alternative, may have also some features you might find useful.
2. Riptastic! (not well known around here) is available bundled with some of the lower-capacity disc robots (e.g. the Baxter, holds 25ish at a time) and the bundled version can control the robot to do the swapping for you. Course, you'd need to spend a bit to get that level of automation.

newbishly,
-brendan

I actually have access to a primera Bravo II CD/DVD duper - Would I be able to utilize this piece of equipment for automatted ripping? I'm sorry for any technical naivety here, thanks for the patience.

That depends upon the tools that come with it. If there's a bundled generic tool for operating the unit, you might be able to configure it to "do the right thing".

[Long winded stuff ahead.]

For example, I purchased a DupliQ (same MF-Digital hardware as the baxter, but no bundled ripping software) and modified the configuration files of the included QFox software to work with the standard non-robot Riptastic! version instead of Nero. QFox is a small app that looks for window titles and can press [OK] buttons and/or tell the robot to do things. The other flavors (resellers) of the hardware have the different name for the same app (blanking on the names).

I changed the QFox config to watch and react to Riptastic!'s windows instead. Unfortunately, the QFox software could only react to window titles, not content, and Riptastic! didn't always use a unique window title!

Argh, so I had to do some additional scripting to get it working and ended up using a combination of vbs and bat/cmd files wrapped around plscsi to monitor for the tray position (open/closed). Went through my first set of 600 CDs that way. Ugly duct-tape and glue solution, but it worked.

I'm going to be re-ripping, but using a better process soon: I put together a CLI client for monitoring tray-status (if supported), medium-status as well as locking/unlocking and opening/closing the drive. I've also got my command-line client for the Baxter/DupliQ finalized (it works, but hangs occassionally in the SDK's DLL calls when re-initing the device, looks like a bug in their stuff, trying to code around the problem now since calling again gets it unstuck). Alas, there are SDK issues restricting distribution of the latter, unfortunately.

And I have yet to settle on the drive(s) and ripping software to use. Stuck in the trees right now.

-brendan

I suggest that you use EAC for the ripping, and Tag&Rename or Foobar2000 for the tagging -- both of them can use FreeDB and handle masstagging perfectly. Foobar2000 is really good in tagging single-file albums with a CUE-sheet.

I can probably help. I have written an extensive application for use with robot loaders for a ripping company, but perhaps the best would be to just use the service. They are very reasonable and very accurate.

www.pickledproductions.com

I'd be curious about your advice as well. In addition to the mf-digital unit, I have several older duplicators on hand that I am currently playing with: cedar technologies, primera, and procom (essentially a Scribe). And some older mediaform standalone units that could rigged to expose the serial port that controls the robot (for ripping purposes instead of duplication).

-brendan

i have a primera bravo pro that i'd like to use for automated cd ripping but the unit does not have this software included, i have contacted primera and nothing is available, can someone here help, thanks for info that would help!