Windows 7 x64 CD to MP3 ripper

I'm trying to find a good, simple CD-to-MP3 ripper to copy my physical CD's to my computer's hard disk.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional x64 - and that appears to be a major problem. All the "usual" free- and shareware tools I've tried (CD-to-MP3, Visual MP3 and quite a few more) seem to have trouble with either 64-bit Windows, or with my HP CD/DVD built into my HP Compaq Elite 8100 machine.

Does anyone have any good recommendations? I don't want to install a monster like iTunes - something really clean, small, simple would be fine. Free- or Shareware - if it works reliably and with good quality output, I'll be happy to register!

Any hints are welcome!

marc_s

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 1 408

Please don't create three useless tags at once. We already have enough on this site -- so make use of those that are more popular. Thanks! – slhck – 2012-03-22T11:04:16.403

1@slhck: that comment looks funny when you look at the current 3 tags: windows-7, 64-bit, and ripping. (yes, I did see the original question & its' 3 useless tags) – JavaAndCSharp – 2012-03-22T11:13:52.053

So umm... Any answer you like yet, marc_s – Canadian Luke – 2012-04-20T16:16:58.117

related: Best Audio bitrate/encoding?

– sblair – 2012-08-24T10:24:24.523

Answers

I'm on Windows 7 x64 as well. I've used CDex for years. Up until recently there wasn't even an installer, just a zip package.

Melikoth

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 1 604

CDex is pretty ligheweight and works really well, I've used it for years. If you need something to try to read scratched CDs accurately also try EAC - http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/.

– LawrenceC – 2012-03-20T18:53:53.890

Looks like a really small, focused and well executed program - thanks for the hint! Testing as I type .... – marc_s – 2012-03-20T20:02:17.363

Anything wrong with Windows Media Player?

Canadian Luke

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 22 162

I've always used Media Player too. – Mitch – 2012-03-20T19:42:38.647

1Seems pretty ugly, clunky, and not very intuitive to use as a CD ripper, quite honestly .... – marc_s – 2012-03-20T20:01:55.193

1Mind giving more details as to why it's ugly or clunky, or not intuitive? It downloads the album information and album art automatically for you as well, and adds the media to your library – Canadian Luke – 2012-03-20T20:07:21.357

Well, I tried to configure it to put the resulting MP3 into my directory structure (not the usual "My Music" or whatever), and I tried to tell it to use subdirectories for artist and album - couldn't do it. In the end, when trying it out - WMP did use that convention - but it wasn't "visible" or discoverable in the UI. What if I'd like to change it?? I can define the resulting MP3 file name - but I cannot seem to define where exactly to store the output.... also, the whole UI feels clunky and overloaded and way too complicated ...... – marc_s – 2012-03-21T07:12:16.513

1I would recommend editing your question to list the requirements you are looking for... Might get better answers – Canadian Luke – 2012-03-21T17:11:44.130

Another solution maybe Winamp

Canadian Luke

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 22 162

Exact Audio Copy, which has a plethora of options for a super user.

Others have mentioned EAC, but I think it deserves an answer in its own right, so it can be commented on, and voted for.

Plutext

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 121

I believe the Zune player will do this. It's lightweight and pretty easy to use. Plus, the UI is really well designed.

AdamV

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 101

Easy CD-DA Extractor is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows

EAC seems to can work on Win7 x64

Lazy Badger

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 3 557

I suggest foobar2000. It's been a while since I've used it (it's Windows only, or was at least), but I remember it having more options than any sane person would ever need and shockingly light-weight. Here's a ripping walkthrough for it.

It seems you need to install LAME separately to encode to mp3. You probably want to get that here, as the LAME peoples are somewhat anal about distributing binaries.

Eroen

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 5 615

I think the common 'audiophile' answer to that question is dBpoweramp (or EAC which has already been mentionned). There is a free version and the pay-version has profiles you setup once and use ever after. It can rip many formats in parallel (ie. flac and mp3 simultaneously).

Until now I've also been using CDex.

Antz

Posted 2012-03-20T17:23:11.707

Reputation: 1