Ripper recommendation

RoadTripper · « **on:** 30 Jan 2006, 04:47 pm »

I need recommendations for Ripping software. I use EAC/FLAC and for nearly all cases it works fine. But for a handful, it results in 'File Stopped' message on my SB3 (or something similar - I have written about this before in other posts). Slimserver's HTML interface can't handle them either.

This happens like software is supposed to happen. I.e. if I re-rip/compress the same track/disc, I get exactly the same result. These CDs if played conventionally, work fine.

So, I am thinking that a different ripper/compressor may help. BTW, I haven't been successful finding any other FLAC compressor. The frontend GUI may be different, but the underlying compressor seems to always be the same thing.

What other (free) software is out there?

kfr01 · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 05:02 pm »

In my opinion EAC is the -only- way to go.

You seem unsure as to whether it is EAC or FLAC causing the problem. If you leave the file in WAV format, does the error still occur? If not, it isn't EAC's fault; something is goofy with FLAC. If it chokes with the EAC ripped wav file, it is likely EAC's fault. Determine which one before proceeding.

ksie · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 05:59 pm »

Seminarian,

Are you sure the problem is not a scanning issue with Slimserver?

Usually the discs that I have just ripped are immediately recognized by SS when I open it. However, I have had instances where SS sees the disc (directory and files), but for whatever reason isn't able to open song files until I do a Music Folder scan. What is strange about this is that it can play a few songs/files in the folder, but then hits a point where it no longer plays (can't open) the remaining songs.

I think this has something to do with how I browse the folder from the remote - that somehow this browse tells Slimserver that there are valid song files there. Don't know if this is your problem, but it sure had me confused for a while.

Karl

avta · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 06:39 pm »

I've never run across that error message. I'm inclined to agree that it might be the Slim Server softwar. Are you running the most recent nightly update of 6.2.2? Are you using a wireless SB3? You can always contact Slim Devices Tech. support if you're stuck.

Guy

Thump553 · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 06:47 pm »

Out of curiousity, why don't you list the tracks you are having problems with? Maybe someone else has that album and can test out their rips.

I haven't had this problem at all playing tracks on my computer. I just got my SB so I haven't had much experience there yet.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 08:44 pm »

Is there something wrong with using the Microsoft windows media player #10 for ripping?
I understand it uses a WMA losless format for ripping. That is supposed to be like 97 or 98% as good as the EAC format.
I've read that EAC and foobar tend to be a pain in the butt.

Cheers
Charlie

RoadTripper · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 08:46 pm »

Being at work right now, I can't get into more analysis. What I have done so far is perhaps pointing to the problem of one "song" spanning two or more tracks. What happens then is not good. Neither the WAV nor the FLAC files behave well in that scenario.

More later.

kfr01 · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 09:36 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

Is there something wrong with using the Microsoft windows media player #10 for ripping?
I understand it uses a WMA losless format for ripping. That is supposed to be like 97 or 98% as good as the EAC format.
I've read that EAC and foobar tend to be a pain in the butt.

Cheers
Charlie

Yes. Media player doesn't handle disk and read errors well. The resulting file is often not flawless.

EAC and Flac have a slightly higher learning curve, but once setup, it is a two button ripping process.

In other words, the small learning curve on the front end -is- worth it. Given the number of tutorials on the web and people willing to help on forums, I'd worry about someone not able to climb the small hurdle of setting up EAC+Flac.

Foobar is not necessary to play flac. Winamp supports ASIO and FLAC.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 09:44 pm »

kfr01:
I've looked at the EAC web site but I'm confused as to which program to download. Help!!!
Cheers
Charlie

kfr01 · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 10:04 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

kfr01:
I've looked at the EAC web site but I'm confused as to which program to download. Help!!!
Cheers
Charlie

eac-0.95b3

A nice tutorial is here:

http://pages.cthome.net/homepage/eac/setup.htm

Rashiki · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 10:06 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

kfr01:
I've looked at the EAC web site but I'm confused as to which program to download. Help!!!
Cheers
Charlie

Charlie,

I would think you'd want "Exact Audio Copy V0.95 beta 3 (without CDRDAO package)" and pick the installer rather than the ZIP. Once it's downloaded, just run eac-0.95b3.exe.

-Rob

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 10:54 pm »

rob:
Thanks again!
This squeeze box thing is getting more and more interesting the further I get into it. Probably next week I'll order one. Thinking about a power supply and DAC but I'll wait a while on them. Gotta learn how to use the squeeze box first.

Cheers
Charlie

Folsom · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 12:29 am »

I actually rip with EAC first, then convert to FLAC. I prefer choosing when I am ripping or converting. I do not like doing both at once, they seem to slow each other down and there is more chance of problem.

Also some times Foobar2000 or what ever will think there is a problem with a FLAC file and say error, but there really is not... I have not determined EXACTLY what causes this, but basically what ever has been paged was incorrect.

Folsom · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 12:53 am »

avta · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 01:45 am »

Here' my favorite tutorial http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac-qs-en.htm
EAC also has an excellent forum on their site. www.exactaudiocopy.de

Guy

rajacat · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 02:22 am »

Has anybody used this program? It is very user friendly.

rajacat · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 02:24 am »

Has anybody used this program? It is very user friendly.

rajacat · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 02:26 am »

Has anybody used this program. I find it very user friendly.

RoadTripper · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 05:32 am »

First test is done. Diana Krall's 'stepping out' CD is one of the CDs that won't FLAC properly. I just re-ripped it and left it in WAV format. It played end-to-end with no problems. Next part of the test is to compress it to FLAC and see how it does.

I will report.

Another CD which has problems is James Levine and the Met Orchestra on DDG of Strauss Don Quixote.

Another one is a Reference Recording of Malcomb Arnold 'Arnold for Band'. It craps out on track 2 with the error message "stopped - 2 of 22". It just happened as I was typing.

Another one is a DDG recording of Rossini's Semiramide Opera. I am sure there are several others, since I haven't nearly listened to everything I have ripped. (78 GB to date).

RoadTripper · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 Jan 2006, 05:44 am »

Add Reference Recording's Arnold Overtures to the list. Crap. It stopped just a second ago.

The symptoms also show up on the Slimserver HTML interface as I have mentioned. The failed FLACced tracks won't transfer over from the left panel to the right (the WAV tracks do). In every case that this has happened, it is always the same. The first track is the only track that will transfer (and play). All the other tracks don't show up on the right hand panel.

It seems the problem is just with the FLACcing step.