Ripping CD's - Is iTunes good enough?

On a CD that is brand new, out of the box, iTunes will probably be fine. If it has some use/scratches/marks, then resort to EAC Secure Mode or dBpoweramp.

 

I have a Macbook so this is good to know. And I actually have a bunch of live recordings that are shn.

 

I've been using iTunes to rip CDs since about 2004 when I first bought an iPod. I started using ALAC with error correction, 3 or so years ago and haven't had any problems until recently.

I was thinking it was possibly the CD drive in my MacBook Pro, but it sounds like from this thread that iTunes is the problem. On some songs there is an audible glitch that makes a "zip" sound. It's usually only on one song or two and it doesn't happen with every CD I rip. I still use iTunes because that is where the rest of my digital files are stored, and I like the functionality of the iTunes library and sorting options. The OCD in me wants to go back and listen to everything to check for glitches but I would drive my self crazy trying to do that.

So my question is should I start using a different program to rip my CDs and is there a way to check the files on my iTunes library for glitches/errors on a Mac?

 

For a Mac, XLD or dbPoweramp.

 

I'll admit that I haven't read the whole thread.....I have not been able to figure out how to normalize volume using iTunes. Shuffle mode is very irritating - adjusting volume with the start of every new song. What an I missing?

 

iTunes > Preferences > Playback > Soundcheck

From memory...

 

Strange how treads like these often become Apple trashing!!
I have used iTunes on Mac for as long as the program has existed, the last many years it has been 100% stable, I have ripped 800 cds and maybe one or two I had to rip again.
The interface one can taylor to your needs, and I still find it the easiest and clearest, at least for MAC users to use, using Amarra or similar software on top of iTunes, you can play most all file formats.
Today I mostly use Roon on my stereo and iTunes/Amarra on my desktop system, the newest Amarra stand-alone app is terrible, it make iTunes look like the best software ever made
I just think that there is so many programs that will play and organize your music collection out there..... just use what you find to your liking.

 

This didn't work for me at all. I remember reading that some 3rd party software was needed to do volume normalization correctly with iTunes.

Here it is: mani.de – iVolume – listen to music hands-free

 

Paid version of DBpoweramp with Accurate check.

Store as FLAC in a safe PC/Server/NAS place.

Play at home Hifi system with jRiver connected to an USB DAC.

Convert to ALAC and import into iTunes, I use Match, then delete the ALAC afterwards.

Now I have the convenience of my music in the Apple eco system. Stream/download DRM free files on any device. Easy, quick and hassle free copy of quality iTunes files to SD cards for use in car/boat.

 

I use Amarra sQ+ as the sound engine for iTunes and it provides the best audio possible for me. I also have the standalone Amarra 4 Luxe but do not use it because of the poor file management and does not seem to sound as good as sQ+. I have tried all the various programs available for playing music on a Mac and the Amarra sQ+ with iTunes is what works for me.

 

Really? I'm the only one who couldn't normalize volume with iTunes? Shuffle is awful.

 

I agree shuffle is awful. I regularly hear the same songs and they are usually the more commercial friendly songs.

 

No one is bashing Apple. Most of us have just pointed out that iTunes, specifically, is not the best program to rip CDs for technical reasons. That is all. Many people have pointed to other Mac-based programs that do a better job of ripping CDs.

The reason I do not use iTunes for ripping CDs is because I do not like its proprietary aspects, and I do not like its current interface. I also do not like the way it catalogs files. I am Windows-based, so I like doing it myself, and don't like any program, Apple or not, to catalog my files for me. Oh, and by the way, I have used iTunes since the minute it was available for Windows.

Again, I am not seeing any Apple-bashing here.

 

If you have Soundcheck on it's working when you shuffle. Problem is, iTunes Soundcheck is awful, and can make apparent volume discrepancies worse, to my ears. The iVolume program referenced above is far superior.

 

Exactly my experience. How well does dbPoweramp and EAC do on normalization?

 

Bumping this thread to make sure I'm accurately ripping my music with XLD.

Should I worry about the "Retry sector count" as long as there aren't any errors or damaged sectors?

Code:

  Track 13 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 14 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 15 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 16 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 17 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 18 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 19 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 20 : OK (v2, confidence 25/25)
    Track 21 : OK (v2, confidence 24/24)
    Track 22 : OK (v2, confidence 20/23)
        ->All tracks accurately ripped.

All Tracks
    Album gain               : -0.14 dB
    Peak                     : 0.753357
    Statistics
        Read error                           : 0
        Jitter error (maybe fixed)           : 0
        Retry sector count                   : 15
        Damaged sector count                 : 0

 

If the tracks are confirmed accurate with afairly high confidence number, that’s all you need. It means the retried sectors were read correctly

 

Even with one confirmation, as long as it says all tracks accurately ripped, you're OK.

 

I just bought dBpoweramp after using EAC for awhile. Just wanted to see if its working fine and if I am getting good rips.

Code:

dBpoweramp Release 16.4 Digital Audio Extraction Log from Tuesday, 15 May 2018 12:55

Drive & Settings
----------------

Ripping with drive 'F:   [TSSTcorp - BDDVDW SE-506CB ]',  Drive offset: 6,  Overread Lead-in/out: No
AccurateRip: Active,  Using C2: Yes,  Cache: 1024 KB,  FUA Cache Invalidate: No
Pass 1 Drive Speed: Max,  Pass 2 Drive Speed: Max
Ultra::  Vary Drive Speed: Yes,  Min Passes: 1,  Max Passes: 2,  Finish After Clean Passes: 2
Bad Sector Re-rip::  Drive Speed: Max,  Maximum Re-reads: 34

Encoder: FLAC -compression-level-5 -verify
DSP Effects / Actions: -dspeffect1="ReplayGain= -albummode={qt}0{qt} -r128lufs={qt}-18{qt}"

Extraction Log
--------------

Track 1:  Ripped LBA 0 to 19816 (4:24) in 0:38. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\01 Foo Fighters - All My Life._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 71)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 79DD5F42     AccurateRip CRC: 7FA4E459 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-1]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 71 [CRCv2 7fa4e459]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 5823b]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 bddd3664], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 188 [CRCv1 1ec488eb], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 2:  Ripped LBA 19816 to 39024 (4:16) in 0:21. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\02 Foo Fighters - Best Of You._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 72)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: B038959F     AccurateRip CRC: 8CD9B801 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-2]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 72 [CRCv2 8cd9b801]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 78442345]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 3fc3f085], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 188 [CRCv1 33088c7], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 3:  Ripped LBA 39024 to 57781 (4:10) in 0:19. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\03 Foo Fighters - Everlong._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 71)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 6CA82B92     AccurateRip CRC: B79C0BC3 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-3]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 71 [CRCv2 b79c0bc3]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 d561e8cf]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 80ddec77], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 189 [CRCv1 71d6184b], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 4:  Ripped LBA 57781 to 77833 (4:27) in 0:19. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\04 Foo Fighters - The Pretender._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 73)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 2E14A609     AccurateRip CRC: 8DAE94E1 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-4]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 73 [CRCv2 8dae94e1]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 59 [CRCv1 77c04b17]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 b942e113], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 189 [CRCv1 e611e07f], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 5:  Ripped LBA 77833 to 97256 (4:18) in 0:17. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\05 Foo Fighters - My Hero._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 72)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 9DDBA557     AccurateRip CRC: D632B197 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-5]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 72 [CRCv2 d632b197]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 59 [CRCv1 c09b381d]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 4b299b9e], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 190 [CRCv1 c6bf2bad], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 6:  Ripped LBA 97256 to 114976 (3:56) in 0:14. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\06 Foo Fighters - Learn To Fly._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 71)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 0BAB73D2     AccurateRip CRC: CAA78AFD (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-6]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 71 [CRCv2 caa78afd]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 5132e3cf]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 c51f16d1], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 188 [CRCv1 149b90a3], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 7:  Ripped LBA 114976 to 135074 (4:27) in 0:16. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\07 Foo Fighters - Times Like These._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 71)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 0DA8B62A     AccurateRip CRC: AE70225B (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-7]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 71 [CRCv2 ae70225b]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 59 [CRCv1 dee82234]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 b68ab436], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 188 [CRCv1 c8f135d8], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 8:  Ripped LBA 135074 to 152534 (3:52) in 0:13. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\08 Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 70)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: B382489E     AccurateRip CRC: FFB09A03 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-8]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 70 [CRCv2 ffb09a03]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 b6aa627e]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 1fee2cc4], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 189 [CRCv1 9b7ffaea], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 9:  Ripped LBA 152534 to 162607 (2:14) in 0:07. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\09 Foo Fighters - Big Me._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 70)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 5A4B5B13     AccurateRip CRC: D36420A0 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-9]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 70 [CRCv2 d36420a0]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 49e73f28]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 9cc2ad38], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 190 [CRCv1 820cab68], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 10:  Ripped LBA 162607 to 177743 (3:21) in 0:10. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\10 Foo Fighters - Breakout._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 70)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: FC792305     AccurateRip CRC: 339C57A5 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-10]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 70 [CRCv2 339c57a5]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 455cf257]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 206b47f3], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 190 [CRCv1 dd94acb9], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 11:  Ripped LBA 177743 to 194871 (3:48) in 0:12. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\11 Foo Fighters - Long Road To Ruin._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 70)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 810EDD34     AccurateRip CRC: 4CAD3650 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-11]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 70 [CRCv2 4cad3650]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 59 [CRCv1 ad5e39b2]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 52ded816], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 188 [CRCv1 7254482e], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 12:  Ripped LBA 194871 to 212476 (3:54) in 0:12. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\12 Foo Fighters - This Is A Call._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 70)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: D355DC27     AccurateRip CRC: 298E782F (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-12]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 70 [CRCv2 298e782f]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 11067678]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 e6d4f802], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 189 [CRCv1 925b9c08], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 13:  Ripped LBA 212476 to 230751 (4:03) in 0:12. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\13 Foo Fighters - Skin And Bones._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 69)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 217067EB     AccurateRip CRC: DC47A586 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-13]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 69 [CRCv2 dc47a586]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 58 [CRCv1 e0426b1a]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 5fdb4bdc], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 190 [CRCv1 31e2c9ba], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 14:  Ripped LBA 230751 to 251617 (4:38) in 0:13. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\14 Foo Fighters - Wheels._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 67)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: C7530038     AccurateRip CRC: BDDD7007 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-14]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 67 [CRCv2 bddd7007]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 61 [CRCv1 40c910f7]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 cf9f30b5], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 192 [CRCv1 3c1d5bcb], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 15:  Ripped LBA 251617 to 268761 (3:48) in 0:10. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\15 Foo Fighters - Word Forward._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 69)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 23DAC1B8     AccurateRip CRC: D8A79AD1 (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-15]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 69 [CRCv2 d8a79ad1]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 59 [CRCv1 16de0bab]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 23c5834b], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 190 [CRCv1 213fc657], Using Pressing Offset +646

Track 16:  Ripped LBA 268761 to 287579 (4:10) in 0:11. Filename: D:\Foo Fighters\Greatest Hits\16 Foo Fighters - Everlong (Acoustic)._
  AccurateRip: Accurate (confidence 71)     [Pass 1]
  CRC32: 5E172A4E     AccurateRip CRC: C44A399C (CRCv2)     [DiscID: 016-0025da3b-01c20c9f-d60efa10-16]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 71 [CRCv2 c44a399c]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 60 [CRCv1 cc7d9629]
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 200 [CRCv2 9b4c3b2d], Using Pressing Offset +646
  AccurateRip Verified Confidence 185 [CRCv1 7cc81c0f], Using Pressing Offset +646

--------------

16 Tracks Ripped Accurately

 

looks good!

 

Low res question here for experts. I use iTunes and also EAC. Problem is my Alpine car player only plays WMA, MP3, and Apple’s AAC. I keep a database of AAC’s for that reason. Is there an AAC encode engine that can be used in EAC? Supposedly the free Nero encoder can but I could not figure out how to install it. Back on topic, I haven’t had problems with iTunes or EAC.

 

Thanks.

 

I see you're doing ReplayGain during the rip. Make sure you've got the ReplayGain DSP configured to only write the ReplayGain tag but leave the audio data alone. There is a way to have dBpoweramp actually apply the ReplayGain changes to the audio during the rip, which will alter the audio data that is ripped. I want the ripped audio data to exactly match what is on the CD. Same volume. Same levels.

Check to make sure ReplayGain isn't configured to alter the audio data. Otherwise, it all looks good.

 

Yeah I made sure to set so it only writes the tag. I followed their guide on how to configure the CD Ripper and when it came to ReplayGain it says to set it to write as a tag. I do the same thing in foobar2000 with my converted AAC files that I sync to my iPhone.

 

I'll bite. I assume you are on Windows. Download and install foobar2000 and the Free Encoder Pack that goes with it. This contains something called "qaac.exe." In EAC go to EAC > Compression Options > Use "User Defined Encoder." Change the output file extension to ".m4a." For the program path to the compressor, point it to "qaac.exe" which is usually under C:\Program Files (x86)\foobar2000\encoder\. Use the following command line options:

--tvbr 109 %source% -o %dest% --artist="%artist%" --title="%title%" --album="%albumtitle%" --date="%year%" --track="%tracknr%/%numtracks%" --disk="%cdnumber%/%totalcds%" --genre="%genre%" --band="%albuminterpret%" --composer="%composer%" %haslyrics%--lyrics="%lyricsfile%"%haslyrics% %hascover%--artwork="%coverfile%"%hascover%

This will output iTunes AAC tvbr q109 files (which is ~256k vbr, same as the iTunes Plus format). This can obviously be adjusted depending on how much bitrate you want. I think q91 will change it to ~192k, q127 will up it to ~320k. Then you want to save it as a profile and then you can switch depending on when you want to rip directly to AAC.