Tips on starting a new digital music library

[Alty]

Hey guys, I've made the decision to convert all my CDs to a digital format for listening on my computer and mp3 player. I was just wandering what program would be best for ripping, listening, organising etc my tunes. Also what format should I rip them all to? I want it to be a lossless format. I heard FLAC was good. Any recommendations? Reasons behind your choices would be helpful.

Thanks

[Pedro Sánchez]

Flac is the way to go for HQ compressed files. Songbird is probably a nice choice for playing back tunes, it's very similar to iTunes in terms of looks and functionality but plays shit loads more formats and works on Mac or PC and rips CD's direct to FLAC.

[Alty]

cheers mate, very helpful, I'll look into it.

[Alty]

The thing that annoys me about songbird is that you can't just select the name of an artist or album to see only songs by that artist or that album. You have to use the search bar only.

I may just go for 320kbps mp3s and itunes or something. Is there that much difference between flac and 320s?

[collige]

The thing that annoys me about songbird is that you can't just select the name of an artist or album to see only songs by that artist or that album. You have to use the search bar only.

I may just go for 320kbps mp3s and itunes or something. Is there that much difference between flac and 320s?

Not very much, but a lot of people will say otherwise. FLACs can't play on most mp3 players. If you do use 320's make sure they're encoded using LAME.

[firky]

Back it up on more than one separate device.

[helix]

The thing that annoys me about songbird is that you can't just select the name of an artist or album to see only songs by that artist or that album. You have to use the search bar only.

I may just go for 320kbps mp3s and itunes or something. Is there that much difference between flac and 320s?

Not very much, but a lot of people will say otherwise. FLACs can't play on most mp3 players. If you do use 320's make sure they're encoded using LAME.

There's a huge difference imo.

[kidshuffle]

Back it up on more than one separate device.

This.


WAV's are alright too

[Phyalow]

iTunes, and WAV (the only downside of these is you cant tag them properly). Or 320kb Mp3's

[cityzen]

Is there much difference between wav and flac? Are flac files worth it for the pain in the arse that will ensue when converting them for itunes?

[cosby]

Cut all your CDs to dubplate. Store in acid free sleeves out of sunlight. Take vitamins to cheat death.

[Alty]

Is there much difference between wav and flac? Are flac files worth it for the pain in the arse that will ensue when converting them for itunes?

Not really. They are both lossless, so will sound identical. I think people say that FLAC is better compressions so will take less space up, and have better tagging options?

I'd go with whatever is easier, and what is most compatible.

[cityzen]

Thanks buddy. So you're saying they're essentially the same but wavs take up more space? Cool, space is not an issue.

[cosby]

It's been beaten to death around the internet, but someone please answer this question: how can a FLAC file be uncompressed and also have a smaller file size than a WAV file? By any measure of common sense, the concept is totally bullshit.

[pkay]

like others said flacs arent always compatible with all replay devices.

if you have the space and the time just going straight wav is great. Works well if you use serato, burn to cds, or have an ipod jack in your car.

I have over 14,500 records I've been ripping over the past year or so.... been doing about 10 x 12"s a day. About 25% of the way through now (about 4800 records down... about 10k songs so far). Ripped all to .wav . and just filled up my first terrabyte drive.

[pkay]

It's been beaten to death around the internet, but someone please answer this question: how can a FLAC file be uncompressed and also have a smaller file size than a WAV file? By any measure of common sense, the concept is totally bullshit.

FLAC's still have compression.... they are compressed .wavs that require decompression to replay. They are lossless data files... they are not a raw audio form. So as is you need a program to re-play them on your computer or whatever. Which is why you can't play them on most ipods, they can't be burnt to a cd and played in your car, etc etc.

[cityzen]

That sounds like quite the undertaking, Pkay! I thought importing my CD's to itunes was a pain
From my precursory investigation it seems itunes supports neither flac OR wav but will convert wav files and not flac. All to do with AAC or whatever.... So if there is no real difference between the two then wav seems like the way to go. That right?
I've been buying CD's and MP3's up until now.

[pkay]

Well here's the deal.

The base replay for most audio devices is a .wav .... cds are in .wav format. MP3's are replayable because that format became popular and hardware developers made the decision that it was common enough to make mp3s a priority. If FLACs became popular enough they would make it a priority and make that available on their hardware.

I opted to go .wav because i use serato... and most programs do not support FLACs. It was worth it to me to have everything in .wav and be able to just drag and drop my files on to the laptop from the home network.... or just throw them on the ipod whatever.

If I was only using them for a home network I would have used a FLAC and converted them as needed.

[pkay]

and yes it is absolute hell to convert all these records. I've been doing some crazy organization bullshit too. Of the 10 x 12"s i pull each day I am allowed to keep one in the house, the rest go in to the tupperware bins to be sealed and stored. So ultimately in the end I'll have about 1500 of my favorite records in the house to use as I see fit. Everything else will be on the storage devices on the home network and the vinyl version will be stored in these custom tupperware bins I've made to try and help preserve them from heat and possibly being damaged.

i've realized I have a sickness lol

[cityzen]

i've realized I have a sickness lol

Lol! Na, I respect your effort! As I said it sounds like quite the undertaking.
Thanks a lot for your help Pkay, I appreciate it.