Top 10 Audio CD Rippers & Encoders for Windows
Table of Contents>
DVD Audio Extractor
A powerful and intuitive program that helps you extract audio from DVD movies, save files to OGG, MP3, WAV or FLAC format, and edit metadata.
DVD Audio Extractor is an application that can extract audio from DVD movies and export them to the OGG, MP3, WAV or FLAC format. The user interface of the program consists of a wizard that is very easy to navigate through.
Importing options
In order to get started, you have to select the DVD source. Thus, you can import a movie from the DVD-ROM, open DVD files from a folder or open a single AOB or VOB file.
Manage chapters and edit metadata
You can select the chapters, preview them, choose your preferred audio stream, as well as input metadata (artist, album, year, genre). Plus, you can download or upload metadata to the database.
Configuration settings
In the following step, you can select the output format and configure settings when it comes to the sample frequency rate, channels, VBR, ABR, preset, bits per sample, and others.
Besides the aforementioned extensions, you can select "Direct Stream Demux" (sound will be extracted without decoding) or "CD Image and Cuesheet" (create an audio CD image file and a cue sheet file).
Exporting mode and other handy features
Now you can set the output directory and disable default settings like saving each chapter into an individual file, overwriting files with the same name or creating an M3U playlist. You can also enable normalization and set maximum level.
In the last step, you can set the thread priority and action after encoding finishes (e.g. pop up a notification, shut down computer). Once you have pressed the 'Start' button, you can view a progress bar with the current processed chapter, as well as speed, elapsed and remaining time.
A reliable and powerful audio extractor
The program uses a moderate amount of system memory and CPU, and contains a comprehensive help file with snapshots. Also, DVD Audio Extractor manages to finish a task in a very short amount of time and kept an excellent sound quality.
Filed under
EZ CD Audio Converter
Rip, convert and burn audio tracks with this tool, which can also normalize volume, create playlists, edit metadata, set up file naming rules and remove silence.
EZ CD Audio Converter is an advanced software application whose purpose is to help you rip audio tracks from CDs, convert files to different formats and burn them to discs.
Straightforward looks
You are welcomed by a clean feature lineup that divides the main features of the program into three different tabs, namely Audio CD Ripper, Audio Converter and Disc Burner.
There’s also support for an online help manual in case you want to find out details about each dedicated parameter.
Ripping features
EZ CD Audio Converter is able to automatically detect an inserted CD into the tray and load its content into the primary panel. Plus, it offers information about the artist, title, composer, start time and length for each audio file.
You may select the desired drive, check out additional metadata (e.g. track number, genre, disc number, publisher, comment, copyright) and edit the desired fields, grab metadata from the Internet, give ratings, input lyrics, copy disc info to the clipboard, and edit tags by converting text to uppercase or lowercase.
Additionally, you can listen to the audio files using the built-in player and work with different preset ripping profiles which can be easily edited in terms of output file format (e.g. MP3, MPC, OGG, OPUS, WAV), compression algorithm (VBR, CBR or ABR), quality level, saving directory and filename.
There’s support for advanced parameters that help you alter the channels, quality, sample rate, lowpass and highpass, and other options.
Last but not least, you may save data to cue sheets, set up file naming rules, create M3U playlist, save ripping log, calculate ReplayGain metadata, as well as configure several audio features related to volume normalization, fading in or out options and silence removal / addition.
Conversion tasks and burning options
EZ CD Audio Converter provides quick access to files and folders stored in your computer, and lets you add files in the workspace using the drag-and-drop support and apply filters by extension type (e.g. WMA, APE, AIF).
The program implements the same features found in the Audio CD Ripper panel for helping you configure output settings, as well as edit and download metadata.
When it comes to burning options, you may create an audio CD, MP3 or data disc, drag and drop files into the main window for burning them, select the burning speed and drive, as well as normalize volume.
Configuration settings
There’s support for several tweaking parameters that help you enable or disable the context menu integration into Windows Explorer, play a sound at the end of the process, eject disc after burning, set up proxy settings and others.
An efficient and reliable audio app
All in all, EZ CD Audio Converter offers support for several handy features for helping you rip, convert and burn audio tracks. Plus, it includes advanced options in the package designed to normalize volume, create playlists, edit metadata, set up file naming rules and remove silence.
Filed under
Download Hubs
EZ CD Audio Converter is part of these download collections: CD Rippers, Edit WV, Convert WV
Express Rip CD Ripper
An easy-to-use application designed to provide users with the possibility to tip their audio CDs with with only a few mouse clicks.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Express Rip CD Ripper is a Windows CD ripper that supports multiple audio formats and relies on a very user-friendly approach to serve its purpose.
The interface is indeed intuitive and straightforward, which means rookies should encounter no problem in figuring out how to use Express Rip CD Ripper.
The app automatically reads the content of the audio disc and displays all tracks in the main window, allowing you to easily select the songs to rip. Plus, there are dedicated fields for artist, album, genre and year, as well as basic configuration settings to adjust the output files.
Express Rip CD Ripper supports multiple audio formats, including MP3, AAC, AMR, M4A, OGG, WMA, WAV, FLAC and VOX. Of course, each of these formats can be configured thanks to a dedicated screen, so for MP3 you can change minimum and maximum bitrate, quality and channel encoding mode.
A separate options screen gives you the power to configure online album database settings to retrieve information about the ripped songs, but also filename format for extracted files and file overwrite options.
One of the best things about Express Rip CD Ripper is that the app works very fast, while it remains very friendly with hardware resources all the time, with no impact on system performance.
So all things considered, Express Rip CD Ripper is one of the best audio CD rippers on the market, offering a pack of very useful configuration settings and an intuitive interface that does the job for all types of users.
Filed under
Download Hubs
Express Rip CD Ripper is part of these download collections: Rip CD to MP3
LameXP
A GUI for the LAME MP3 encoder designed to help you convert audio files using batch processing while offering support for advanced configuration settings (e.g. select sampling rate and MP3 channel mode).
IMPORTANT NOTICE
LameXP was designed as a GUI for the LAME MP3 encoder and is aimed at converting audio files.
Straightforward layout
In the user-friendly interface you can add a file to encode (it also supports batch conversion), but you can also use the drag-and-drop support while you are browsing for files in Explorer (a floating drop box is displayed on the lower right corner of the screen).
Edit metadata and create playlists
Once you have specified the output destination, you can edit metadata (it will supersede data from the source), enable or disable LameXP to automatically generate a playlist file (M3U), as well as configure compression and advanced options.
Conversion options
The format of the converted file can be MP3, OGG, Aften A/52, FLAC or WAV. In order to convert to AAC, you need to manually download the codec files in the LameXP installation files.
In addition, you can select rate control method (quality-based, average bitrate, constant bitrate), and adjust the quality/bitrate ratio (from level 0 to 9).
Advanced configuration settings
If you are an advanced user, you can also adjust the LAME algorithm quality - from poor quality (very fast) to best quality (very slow), enable bitrate management for LAME and OggEnc2, select sampling rate and MP3 channel mode, enforce stereo down mix of multi-channel sources, enable volume normalization filter, adjust treble and bass, set a rename pattern, adjust multi-threading, and more.
Performance
We tested LameXP by converting one 8.19MB MP3 file to WAV and FLAC. We used the default settings, and LameXP managed to successfully convert the files in remarkable time (only a few seconds). The output files weighed 57.8MB (WAV) and 45.7MB (FLAC).
It even alerts you with sound when the task is completed, and during conversion you can view overall CPU usage (which is low) and physical RAM usage.
Bottom line
In conclusion, LameXP is an excellent application for converting audio files, and we strongly recommend it to all users.
Filed under
fre:ac
A compact application that allows users to rip audio CDs and perform conversion operations between file formats, including MP3, FLAC, OGG and AAC.
fre:ac is one of the most popular free audio converters on the market and has been around for well over a decade. The reasons why fre:ac became such a huge success are quite varied but simple nonetheless.
For starters, it comes with support for almost all of the popular audio formats and boasts an impressive collection of encoders. The app is more than capable of doubling as a CD ripper app, even though the need for such tools is, as we all know, not that big nowadays.
Couple its CD ripping capabilities with the remarkable audio conversion capabilities and you get one very versatile app available for anyone looking to convert whole music libraries as well as rip them on CDs.
fre:ac's feature set - more than meets the eye
We've mentioned the app's remarkable ability to freely convert between a plethora of audio formats. These include MP3, MP4, M4A, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC, WAV, and Bonk-related formats.
Another cool thing is that the integrated ripper works both ways: you create CDs with your favorite songs, but you can just as easily convert your audio CDs to files on your computer's hard disk, quite useful if you've ever wanted to create some extra space in the house by throwing out the piles of CDs.
Since we're talking about the CD ripping engine, it's also worth noting that the app can access the CDDB and freedb databases to find artist and title information. Of course, you can edit tracks manually and add various metadata information if you want.
You can install the app on your computer, or you can install it on a USB stick or any external device and use it on the go on any computer.
Last but not least, even though it's not exactly a new app, it's worth mentioning that fre:ac has multi-core optimized encoders to speed up conversions on some of the most modern PCs.
Final words
Even though you clearly want this app for its main functions and features, it's good to know that the GUI is available in more than 40 languages.
It's also true that the GUI is not what one might call top-notch, but despite its old-school looks, the interface does a good job of guiding new or inexperienced users.
Don't, however, think that fre:ac is just a hum-drum beginner-oriented app. Head over to the app's Configuration section, and you'll discover an impressive array of customization features and advanced options, which make the app perfect for even the most exigent users out there.
Filed under
Download Hubs
fre:ac is part of these download collections: CD Rippers, Rip Audio CD, Make AAC
WavPack
A completely open audio compression format providing lossless, high-quality lossy and a unique hybrid compression mode for a wide variety of media file.
WavPack is a tiny utility, but that packs powerful functions to help you process and convert open audio compression formats. Not only can it ensure a lossless format, but it also comes with a unique hybrid compression mode.
Includes a CLI interface that can intimidate some users
The setup is as easy as it gets and it entails decompressing the archive and then accessing the application via the Command Line. As you probably hinted, the tool does not have an interface per se, but rather you need to be familiar with the standard console in Windows to use it.
While it addresses mostly advanced users, you should bear in mind that you can find ample documentation on how to use it along with a manual on the developer's website. It is worth mentioning that the application comes with a complementary app, WvUnpack, that can help you compress and restore audio files in several formats.
Packs advanced options but work with a handful of file formats
Despite the fact that it lacks a user-friendly interface, the program compensates via its advanced options. Consequentially, you can engage in transcoding with a single command, make sure the file is checked after it has been processed or create an enhanced compression by checking the optional asymmetrical mode, just to name a few.
On the other hand, you should know that the utility can process a limited number of audio files, namely DSF, CAF, WV, DFF, W64, and WAV. In addition, while the default conversion mode is lossless, you can modify it to the quality that is most suitable for your needs.
An advanced tool for quality audio processing
In the eventuality that you are looking for a tool that allows you to manipulate various parameters of your audio files more accurately and you are not deterred by the command-line interface, then perhaps WavPack could lend you a handy.
Filed under
qaac
Encode multiple audio files on your computer by relying on this command line application that comes with a broad variety of functions.
If you are an audiophile, you probably understand that different file formats come with different traits and you might sometimes want to store your music by using a certain audio coding.
One of the applications that might prove to be useful in the situation above is qaac, as it provides you with a wide variety of functions while keeping its resource consumption to minimum values.
Please note that this application requires you to have iTunes installed on your computer for it to run as intended.
Command line application
Since it can be only accessed via Windows' native Command Prompt utility, this program provides you with no Graphical User Interface (GUI), which might disconcert many users.
However, despite its lack of a GUI, qaac packs numerous functions that provide you with a high level of control over the encoding process, thus proving itself to be highly efficient.
Packs numerous functions
You can rely on this application if you are looking for a quick, efficient way to convert your audio files to AAC format with a minimum quality loss, as it packs several relevant functions.
Using this application's features can be achieved by including the desired arguments in the command line, according to your needs. In order to view a list of its capabilities, you just need to type in the name of the executable, without any extra parameters.
Powerful AAC encoder
qaac allows you to customize a plethora of parameters while encoding your files, thus providing you with a rich experience and a wide variety of possibilities. For instance, you can view a list of available formats by relying on the “--formats argument”, disable dithering, adjust gain, enable a limiter or toggle a normalizer.
Additionally, it is possible to assign tags to your items by inputting the dedicated parameter along with the desired value.
To wrap it up, qaac is a powerful command line AAC encoder that allows you to convert your audio files in a quick, efficient manner. Although its lack of any GUI might make it difficult for some users to understand and operate this program, the vast amount of functions compensates, making it a valuable asset.
Filed under
FFMPEG Audio Encoder
An open-source application that encodes the audio of any media file to the codec settings you want and saves the output with the help of the FFMPEG and MediaInfo.
Listening to music or watching a video is something that most of us do every day without even thinking about how the media data was delivered to our computers. In fact, like any other data, media data is compressed to make it easier to transfer and save storage space.
The encoding settings do matter, as they influence the playback quality. For instance. If you take the time to learn about different codecs and when and why to use each of them, you should be able to enhance the overall playback experience on your device, even with a bad connection. That is why an application such as FFMPEG Audio Encoder can be extremely useful but only to those who understand how the encoding process works.
Re-encode audio with a few clicks
As its name implies, FFMPEG Audio Encoder provides a way for you to re-encode the audio stream of any media file to the settings you prefer. With its help, you can obtain the audio from the input media in various formats, using a generous list of codecs with configurable settings.
When launching FFMPEG Audio Encoder for the first time, you are prompted to download the executable files required for it to work properly. The installer downloads MediaInfo, MPV Media Player and youtubedl-GUI. You will have to wait for it to finish downloading the files and save them to its working directory.
Configurable encoding settings
The main window features a simple layout that makes it very easy to work with. In essence, you just have to open the input file, set the codec and the new encoding settings and start the job. FFMPEG Audio Encoder is compatible with a variety of input formats of both video and audio files: MP3, MP4, M4A, AAC, AVI, OGG, WAV, FLAC, MOV, just to name a few.
Once the input file is selected, you can proceed to configuring the codec and the encoding settings. FFMPEG Audio Encoder enables you to select the audio track for the selected stream, the playback quality, the sample rate and the time modification rate. Moreover, you can choose between the mono and the stereo channels.
Batch encode audio streams of media files
FFMPEG Audio Encoder intakes a media file and allows you to re-encode it. The application also supports batch operations, meaning more than one file can be processed in one go. It is a simple application but pretty valuable for those who are familiar with how the encoding process works.
Filed under
MediaMonkey
A powerful media manager designed for serious collectors that provides possibilities to tag, rip, sync and convert music and video files.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Media Monkey is a nifty application designed to keep track of your albums and play, burn, tag, and organize music supported by the most popular audio formats. It uses tagging to catalog your music, so you can quickly locate any song.
Function-packed, yet intuitive GUI
The user interface needs some time to get used to, but after a while it does seem to be pretty well organized and even if it hosts a lot of functions, each of them is neatly placed and can be accessed effortlessly.
Party and Sleep modes for optimized user experience
Party Mode is a feature of MediaMonkey that prevents any modifications to your files, or to the software configuration, while Sleep mode allows you to configure the time to play the songs, whether to shut down the program at the end, or gradually fade the volume.
File organizer with support for categories
You can organize files in many categories that include Music, Podcast, Playlists, Media Servers, and Net Radio (access to SHOUTcast and Icecast radio).
Alter track properties and burn data
Track managing has many useful features such as editing track properties and album information, album art, auto-tag from filename, converting formats, and others. In addition, you can burn an audio CD, data CD/DVD/BD, or erase rewritable discs.
Rich suite of configuration settings
The Options menu has countless settings customizations you can use to modify the application and configure supported extensions, plugins, downloads, file tagging and a lot more, all designed to fit the needs and requirements of the more demanding users.
A powerful and reliable media manager
To sum things up, MediaMonkey is a complete audio management solution that provides everything one would need to organize a vast music collection. Besides the playback capabilities and numerous configuration possibilities, this program supports Winamp plugins and comes with a useful 4x CD/DVD ripper and burner.
If you are looking for extra power and functionality, you can upgrade to the GOLD version and get to enjoy unlimited MP3 encoding, advanced searches and playlists, as well as support for custom collections. The GOLD edition also comes with built-in disc burner (supports up to 48x), file monitor, automatic library organizer and automatic tag editor.
Filed under
Download Hubs
MediaMonkey is part of these download collections: CD Rippers, Jukebox Managers, Create M3U, Play FLA
MIDIRenderer
A handy and easy-to-use piece of software that enables you to convert MIDI files to various formats, such as MP3, WAV, OGG or FLAC.
MIDIRenderer, as the name suggests, is a simple-to-use software utility that helps you convert MIDI and karaoke files to the most commonly used audio formats, such as MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, AMR, FLAC and APE.
Reduce background noise to zero
Besides its main function, namely to act as a MIDI converter, the application supports several tools that can record and edit sounds directly from any musical instrument. Plus, it provides you with a beats per minute counter, that helps you get information about all your music collections stored on your computer or removable devices.
You do not need an expensive sound card in order to capture high-quality sounds, also you can forget about using the general MIDI set that Windows comes packed with. Using only the application's MIDI conversion function is enough to avoid the background noise produced by your sound card.
Improve sound quality for all audio formats
Before converting MIDI files, you can choose to preserve the quality of the original audio format or you can improve it by adjusting parameters, such as sample rate, bitrate and channel mode.
If you want to listen to MIDI files on your mobile phone, you can convert them to AMR format, but keep in mind that it is not advisable to increase the sampling frequency over 8000Hz because it decreases sound quality.
For FLAC and APE formats, besides being able to change the samplerate and channel mode, you can reduce or increase the file's size.
Other more advanced settings enable you to increase the file's output quality, select the encoder type and apply copyright watermarks.
Powerful MIDI converter
Overall, MIDIRenderer is not just an average audio converter, because it can convert MIDI sequences to waveform without using the sound card, but only a high-quality synthesizer. Additionally, it supports batch processing and multithreading for a faster conversion speed.
Filed under
