- Thread Author
- #1
Background:
I have been ripping my CDs for many years now. When I started ripping I did not have an established workflow. I ripped using different computers (Mac, Windows) and different programs. Some software could confirm accuracy of the ripped file, others did not.
When playing my older ripped files, it always annoyed me that many of those early rips had awkward metadata or occasional clicks. So I decided to re-rip my older albums to correct the above-mentioned issues. And here is my most recent experience.
Metadata Sites Are Far From Reliable
I currently use and recommend DBPoweramp for ripping. DBP can access metadata from different sites and can automatically fill in the data. However, the majority of the time the metadata needs to be corrected. There are many sites to get the metadata: GD3, Music Brainz, FreeDB and others. Software like DBPoweramp has access to many of those sites. But you also have the choice to manually your pick metadata and that is when you will notice how different the metadata from different sites can be.
Metadata for non-classical music should be straight forward, yet, often the Genre is listed inconsistently, songs order can be wrong, and the "album artist" versus "artist" are listed inconsistently. Classical music metadata are the worst: a composer may be listed as the artist; an offering with multiple discs can have one disc showing data in English and another disc in German; genres for the same album can be listed as "Classical", "Opera", "Choral", "Symphony", etc.; the same composer can be listed as "Mozart" or "W. A. Mozart" or "Mozart, Amadeus". You get the idea.
For those who are thinking of ripping your CDs, your goal should be: Rip Once, Do it Right, and Forget It.
To do so, my advice is as follows:
1. Before you start, develop a structure for storing your files and your workflow for ripping. Be consistent!
2. Use a computer with the proper software for ripping. Like I mentioned, I currently use and recommend DBPoweramp.
3. Don’t trust the metadata!! Verify it and make corrections BEFORE you rip the disc!
4. If you have already ripped a large number of CDs and are frustrated by errors in the metadata, invest in metadata software that will allow you to do batch fixes (I use and recommend MP3TAG).
PS. Many folks trying to get into digital audio are looking for audio equipment that can do ripping and store the ripped file in an internal drive. While convenient, I am certain that the metadata WILL need correction (particularly if we are talking about classical music). Not to mention the chances that the rip may contain annoying clicks/errors! These devices may offer the ability to do metadata correction via an app, which could work fine for one or two CDs , but when you are talking about large amount of CDs, it gets pretty bad in a hurry. IMO those devices that have their own ripping abilities are similar to bicycles with training wheels: sooner or later you will outgrow them! Remember that the goal is: Rip Once, Do it Right, and Forget It.
I have been ripping my CDs for many years now. When I started ripping I did not have an established workflow. I ripped using different computers (Mac, Windows) and different programs. Some software could confirm accuracy of the ripped file, others did not.
When playing my older ripped files, it always annoyed me that many of those early rips had awkward metadata or occasional clicks. So I decided to re-rip my older albums to correct the above-mentioned issues. And here is my most recent experience.
Metadata Sites Are Far From Reliable
I currently use and recommend DBPoweramp for ripping. DBP can access metadata from different sites and can automatically fill in the data. However, the majority of the time the metadata needs to be corrected. There are many sites to get the metadata: GD3, Music Brainz, FreeDB and others. Software like DBPoweramp has access to many of those sites. But you also have the choice to manually your pick metadata and that is when you will notice how different the metadata from different sites can be.
Metadata for non-classical music should be straight forward, yet, often the Genre is listed inconsistently, songs order can be wrong, and the "album artist" versus "artist" are listed inconsistently. Classical music metadata are the worst: a composer may be listed as the artist; an offering with multiple discs can have one disc showing data in English and another disc in German; genres for the same album can be listed as "Classical", "Opera", "Choral", "Symphony", etc.; the same composer can be listed as "Mozart" or "W. A. Mozart" or "Mozart, Amadeus". You get the idea.
For those who are thinking of ripping your CDs, your goal should be: Rip Once, Do it Right, and Forget It.
To do so, my advice is as follows:
1. Before you start, develop a structure for storing your files and your workflow for ripping. Be consistent!
2. Use a computer with the proper software for ripping. Like I mentioned, I currently use and recommend DBPoweramp.
3. Don’t trust the metadata!! Verify it and make corrections BEFORE you rip the disc!
4. If you have already ripped a large number of CDs and are frustrated by errors in the metadata, invest in metadata software that will allow you to do batch fixes (I use and recommend MP3TAG).
PS. Many folks trying to get into digital audio are looking for audio equipment that can do ripping and store the ripped file in an internal drive. While convenient, I am certain that the metadata WILL need correction (particularly if we are talking about classical music). Not to mention the chances that the rip may contain annoying clicks/errors! These devices may offer the ability to do metadata correction via an app, which could work fine for one or two CDs , but when you are talking about large amount of CDs, it gets pretty bad in a hurry. IMO those devices that have their own ripping abilities are similar to bicycles with training wheels: sooner or later you will outgrow them! Remember that the goal is: Rip Once, Do it Right, and Forget It.
. I do not recall ever having meta data issues. A few high rez downloads required fixing in Roon
