Audio file conversion / Alternative to ipod ?

[admin_exported]

I want to rip my music collection, and it is going to take some time. So I only want to do it once. It seems clear that I should rip to a lossless format for the future. I can then play it through the new hi fi system I am planning for next spring.

But I also want to play it on a portable. I have been waiting for the ipod killer to come out, simply because I did not want to buy into Apples' protected world. However, it seems that with the improvements in the last round of ipods, and the fact that there is such a range of add ons for them, it seems as though this is the only way to go.

So it looks like I need to rip everything to FLAC format to keep all doors open for the future for my master library. Then I need a file conversion utility to make a smaller library for downloading into the ipods.

Questions:

What software is recommended for ripping to FLAC and managing it in a library?

What mp3 bit rate is the maximum that is worth going to for portable palyers?

Can anyone recommend a file conversion utility to copy FLAC files into mp3?

All comments appreciated.

 

[PJPro]

deepblue:

Questions:

What software is recommended for ripping to FLAC and managing it in a library?

Well, the answer to the first question is easy. Use EAC. Take a look at my lessons learnt post in my signature for details. Rip to FLAC.

Library managers. Loads. Currently, I use winamp. Have also used (and liked) Foobar2000 and Media Monkey.

deepblue:

What mp3 bit rate is the maximum that is worth going to for portable palyers?

Basically, go for the highest kbsp you can given the space you have and the number of files you want to hold on your iPod. The best quality will be 320 kbps. Use VBR to reduce the size of the files.

deepblue:

Can anyone recommend a file conversion utility to copy FLAC files into mp3?

Foobar2000 will do file conversion for you as will a dedicated software product like dbPowerAmp.

Hope that helps.

 

[Anonymous]

deepblue:....But I also want to play it on a portable. I have been waiting for the ipod killer to come out, simply because I did not want to buy into Apples' protected world. However, it seems that with the improvements in the last round of ipods, and the fact that there is such a range of add ons for them, it seems as though this is the only way to go.

So it looks like I need to rip everything to FLAC format to keep all doors open for the future for my master library. Then I need a file conversion utility to make a smaller library for downloading into the ipods.

I would rip everything to ALAC just for the convenience of using iTunes, although FLAC would be just as good.

As for compressed versions for your iPod, use AAC rather than MP3. AAC is part of the MPEG4 standard and much more advanced than the ancient MP3. Note that AAC is an open standard, it is NOT Apple proprietary. Even if you use highish bitrates of 256kb/s or more, there is still a definite sound quality advantage of AAC over MP3 because of the larger number of sub-bands used in the encoding.

Take a look at Audio Companion too, as it has a batch file utility.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll get some software and get started then.

Thanks very much for your help.