CD Collection Backup

[The Tiger]

Hello,
I am very new to this. I recently backed up my entire CD collection using the iTunes defaul, which is compressed. After some research, I've decided to use the db poweramp software. I read many opinions on settings and such. Can someone please help me so I don't rip my CD collection again only to find I should have used different options in order to receive the maximum quality.
Thanks!

[Spoon]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Rip to Lossless and Rip in Secure mode.

[The Tiger]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Hi Again,
Lossless would be the uncompressed wave encoder setting?
Also I have found secure and ultra secure mode options. Is it better to use the secure setting unless the CD is in poor shape? Also, I don't believe my driver supportss C2 pointers. In that case which is the best selection?
Thanks again!

[LtData]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Lossless would be any of the lossless formats. Since you have already used iTunes, you might want to use ALAC, which is Apple's Lossless format. If you do, don't use the codec in Codec Central, use the beta here: http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?t=16606

Peronally, I use secure mode unless the CD is in bad shape, as you said, at which point I use Ultra Secure mode.

[xoas]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Lossless would be the uncompressed wave encoder setting?

To expand upon what LtData has said, standard 44.1 khz wave is considered to be uncompressed. This is considered to be lossless.

Beyond this, there are a variety of formats that provide greater compression than uncompressed standard wave that are also considered to be lossless. Among the most popular of these formats are FLAC, Monkeys (or Ape), Apple Lossless (or ALAC), and WavPack (which also presents some non-lossless compression options that provide greater compression than the lossless options). But Music Converter supports some other lossless options as well. You will need to install the codec to be able to convert to these formats. You will find these listed at Codec Central (see tab at start of the page), if you are using version 12.0 or later of Music Converter. As LtData suggested, if you choose to rip to Apple Lossless, use the codec in the Beta section of the forum.

If you are using an earlier version of Music Converter you will need to use the codecs from Legacy Codec Central.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Bill

[The Tiger]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Thanks,
If you don't mind, I would like to clear up a few things before I start ripping my collection (hopefully for the last time).
I decided to rip using ALAC instead of WAV. From what I've read, some say the quality is exactly the same, some say WAV is still better.
1) I downloaded the trial version software called r13.
2) I downloaded your suggested file of codec m4a and when I tried to install it, for some reason it already exsisted in the package I downloaded.
Am I now good to go using the CD ripper with ALAC? ....Thanks!

[LtData]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Install the version I linked you to, uninstalling the version already there. By "Already Installed" do you mean it showed up in the codec list? Was the text black or grey? I ask because black means the codec is installed, grey means if you pick that codec it offers to take you to the codec download page.

[The Tiger]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Thanks for all of your patience.
Here is what I did:
I downloaded the trial version.
I Followed the link you sent and downloaded that.
Then, I went to my hard drive and found the codec m4a file, opened it up and went and clicked on "run this file" and it was ready to install to C:\Program Files\Illustrate\dBpoweramp
It told me there was an exsisting file called m4a codec release 8 and would I like to replace it.
I did replace it even though it seemed to be the same file.
Am I all set? ... Thanks

[Spoon]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Yes

[LtData]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Yes, you should be fine now.

[The Tiger]

Re: CD Collection Backup

Thanks!
You've helped me tremendously!