Need a good digital audio extractor
 

I need to rip a bunch of songs from my CDs to mp3 format. Can anybody recommend a good digital audio extractor? Thanks!

There are so many choices. Start with iTunes or Microsoft Media Player. Change the default output format to MP3 first and just drop in CDs. The programs will guide you from there.

Of course there are plenty of freeware programs, but I'll leave them to others.

ive used CDEx, its freeware.

I use itunes because it's just easy.

Winamp works well, too. But you might need to pay for mp3 support.

Try Free CD Ripper from Koyote soft.

While you're at it, you might also need TagScanner to organize your library.

My choice is BonkEnc Portable, free from portableapps.com, does not require install, portable, and just works.

I'm a mac person but for ripping & converting CD, I'm using EAC w/ lame mp3 encoder.

dBpoweramp

Yes you pay a bit for it, however it will suck music off just about any disc. I gave up on EAC because it's just so .... unfriendly ... and doesn't play well with iTunes and Apple Lossless.

With space so cheap nowadays (<$50/Gb), please consider going to lossless ripping - either FLAC or Apple Lossless. :)

http://www.nhthifi.com/Ten-Comandments-According-to-NHT

I use FreeRIP ^. Try it.

I recently discovered dBpoweramp and I have to agree that it's solid.

I try and rip everything in FLAC. Since storage is essentially free there's no reason to dumb down your music.

^+1

iTunes or Windows Media Player is a pretty straightforward way to do this with software you probably already have installed.

Another vote for dbPowerAmp, but if you want something idiot-simple then go with MediaMonkey. Or if you want idiot-simple with the added benefit of bloatware, then use iTunes.

I'll step in it :P
lossless is a waste and there is NO AUDIO difference if ripped to mp3 correctly.
Remember your ripping digital audio that was recorded to a cd (presumably with RedBook standards)16bit/44kHz.
You'll be cranking that same audio out some $5 ear buds or $15 desktop PC speakers, yeah...
Sure drive space is dirt cheap, but that is no reason to waste it.

I must not, I must not. STOP IT!

(edited)

Fixed. To say there's no difference between lossless and mp3 is misleading. If there's no difference, why shouldn't you compress mp3 to 78kbps instead.

I use Flac on my home audio setup (not $15 desktop pc speakers) and 192kbps VBR alac for my portable setup (definitely not $5 ear buds) ;)