[slow_down]

I just got an SB3 and am going to start ripping my CD collection to FLAC, but have some questions first.  I downloaded the most recent version of EAC (V0.99 prebeta 3, released 7/28/07) and it apparently contains the FLAC compression software built-in.  I was surprised by this, as I thought I'd have to download FLAC Frontend separately and "install" it into EAC.  Anyway, I selected FLAC as my choice of compression in EAC's initial configuration wizard, and it loaded what I presume are the "standard" FLAC compression options. 

In the additional command line options it currently reads: -6 -V -T "ARTIST=%a" -T "TITLE=%t" -T "ALBUM=%g" -T "DATE=%y" -T "TRACKNUMBER=%n" -T "GENRE=%m" -T "COMMENT=%e" %s -o %d

The bit rate is set at 768 kBit/s

And the "Use CRC check" box is UNchecked.

Are these settings appropriate?  I know most of the command line stuff is obviously just for the tags, but I suspect there might be some compression stuff in there too.  And what about the bit rate?

Lastly, should I consider going another route for ripping to FLAC?  I want it done right, but the simpler the operation the better.

[JRace]

When using FLAC it doesn't matter what you sepcify as the bitrate.

the -6 at the start of the comandline sepcifies a compresion level of 6 which is fine.

[Thump553]

To answer your last question first, I use EAC extensively (but haven't tried .99 yet) but even I have to admit that EZ CD Extractor (pay software, trial version available, from http://www.poikosoft.com/ ) is far easier and more intuitive to use. 

I always rip my flac files to the highest standard ( possible-it takes longer to rip and may be slightly bigger files, but who cares?  You only rip once, and hard drive space is dirt cheap.  Bit rate doesn't matter for FLAC files.  Tag the files as you wish, those settings seem pretty acceptable to me.  I'm drawing a blank on what Use CRC check means at the moment.

EAC is great for making bit-perfect rips and burns, but it is a bear to set up properly.  If you use EAC and want it perfect, make sure you set your CD drive offset correctly for bit perfect results (I'm not convinced the difference is audible though).  Here's a link to the only guide I have bookmarked on this computer, there are a bunch of good guides around that a google search should turn up:

http://www.carltonbale.com/project/cd-audio-extraction/

[Tirade]

Lastly, should I consider going another route for ripping to FLAC?  I want it done right, but the simpler the operation the better.

IMHO nothing beats Plextools and a good Plextor drive combo. For free though, EAC is great once you get past the learning curve.

[datman]

I started with EAC but later switched to dBpoweramp for rippiping.  It is a much more robust program as well as easier to use.  With EAC, about 25% of the 1800 cd's I ripped would not read or had errors.  I was able to rip them ALL with dBpoweramp.  Also, dBpoweramp uses two databases for album information.  One is a subscription included with dBpoweramp so the metadata is more complete.  Well worth the $30 it cost.

[slow_down]

Thanks for the helpful replies!

"For free though, EAC is great once you get past the learning curve."

But what learning curve?  I've got EAC installed and ready to go provided I'm satisfied with the compression options.  What more do I need to do other than start plopping some discs in the tray?  Well I guess maybe the compression settings are where the learning curve comes in?  JRace said -6 is an adequate compression level.  I saw reference to a level of -8 on a thread at hydogenaudio.  Will the higher number produce a smaller file?  And still be lossless?  I guess what I want to know is what is the concensus choice for compression level.  Saying "6 is fine" is one thing, but I have to believe that there is an accepted set of "best" settings for how people rip to FLAC, and I want to make sure I follow those.

And I'm not too concerned about reading problems - I previously used EAC to rip all my CD's to MP3 a couple years ago and it worked out fine for the vast majority of them.

[andy_c]

What more do I need to do other than start plopping some discs in the tray?

Well, you might check to make sure the ripping options are set appropriately.  I happen to like this online tutorial.

Well I guess maybe the compression settings are where the learning curve comes in?  JRace said -6 is an adequate compression level.  I saw reference to a level of -8 on a thread at hydogenaudio.  Will the higher number produce a smaller file?  And still be lossless?  I guess what I want to know is what is the concensus choice for compression level.  Saying "6 is fine" is one thing, but I have to believe that there is an accepted set of "best" settings for how people rip to FLAC, and I want to make sure I follow those.

All compression levels of FLAC are lossless.  They are basically a compromise between how compressed the files are and time to compress.  I did a quick and dirty experiment with one WAV file for levels 5, 6, 7 and 8.  Here are my results with the latest FLAC version (1.2.0).

Level 5: 8 seconds, file size = 17,939,268 bytes
Level 6: 10 seconds, file size = 17,939,248 bytes
Level 7: 13 seconds, file size = 17,790,004 bytes
Level 8: 18 seconds, file size = 17,734,947 bytes

I used to use level 6, but based on this data I changed to level 7.  Of course, this is a sample of 1, so take it with a grain of salt.