Converting cda to mp3

robynie · 14th May 2001, 00:00

How do you? Can you?
I thought at first that if I just opened the cda in winamp I could like resave it as an mp3. The reason I want to do this because I don't have cd burner, so my friend is going to burn this cd for me, so I was going to save all the tracks on a zippy. But anyway, my first idea did not work because everytime I try to open a cda in winamp it crashes. Even though this file type appears on the list. Can I open them? Or do I even need to? Help...

Flynnz · 14th May 2001, 02:47

For all intents and purposes, you can just consider cdas to be wave files. Note: wavs are big. (Hence the purpose of formats like mp3.) Although when viewing cds in explorer (at least in win98 and below) it says cdas are 1 kb, they're actually ... well--quite big. Note: most cds have a capacity of 650 megabytes (700 is possible) / 74 minutes of plain audio.

There are lots of programs out there to make it easy to rip tracks off of cds [and convert them to more portable formats, like mp3].. but I'd say CDex would prolly be the easiest / best one for you.

I can't think of how cds could be crashing your Winamp.. How are you trying to play them?

Unsolicited recommendation: just give your friend the cds and have them make the copies for you. (Unless of course you were saying that you wanted to make some mix cds, in which case you'll probably need to just take your cds over to your friend's house and sit with 'em while they do it. *grin*)

For more information about cds 'n wavs 'n mp3s 'n the formation of the universe, you could head on over to the Tech Support Greatest Hits forum. (If you've got a question, it's a pretty safe bet that it's been answered there.)

Hey cool! You gave me something to do for five or ten minutes! (And it was something that made me feel mildly useful--hooray!) Have a nice day.. or something.

. - .... .- -. .... · 14th May 2001, 11:36

From what I read you tried to get your friend to copy cda files onto a zip disk?? any wonder you were getting error messages.

First of all, the title of the post says that you want to convert cda to mp3, so you don't need a CD burner to do this. All you need is a reasonable computer with a CD-ROM, and some ripping software, such as CDex as Flynnz rightly suggested. There are plenty of other brands of software out there, but CDex is the best, and it's free. So install this on your computer.

Once it's installed you are ready to rip CD's. There are a couple of settings that I would recommend first. Open up CDex, and go to OPTIONS -> SETTINGS. Under the "Encoder" tab, set the "Lame MP3 Encoder" in the Encoder box, and in the Min bitrate box, set the minimum bitrate that you would like the mp3s top have. I use 192Kbps.

Under the "filenames" tab, you can set the directory where the resulting mp3s are to be stored. All other settings are ok.

Exit the settings and put your CD in the drive. If you are online, the CDDB information will be read automatically, and this information will be used to automatically generate ID3 tags.

Highlight the tracks taht you want, go to CONVERT -> EXTRACT CD TRACK(S) TO MPEG FILE, and wait. When it's finished, the directory you selected should now contain mp3s. And not a CD burner in sight

Flynnz · 14th May 2001, 17:06

"CDex is the best"

I think it can be dangerous to make statements like these..

(I use Exact Audio Copy, by the way.)

Cronically Insane · 14th May 2001, 19:39

I'd agree with these guys I just downloaded the latest version of Cdex( http://www.cdex.n3.net ) and it rocks
Have a nice day

NeoRenegade · 15th May 2001, 00:29

You guys are penny pinchers. I have AudioGrabber.

14th May 2001, 02:47	#2
Flynnz Major Dude Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: mostly not here anymore Posts: 855	some random [unorganized] doodie.. maybe For all intents and purposes, you can just consider cdas to be wave files. Note: wavs are big. (Hence the purpose of formats like mp3.) Although when viewing cds in explorer (at least in win98 and below) it says cdas are 1 kb, they're actually ... well--quite big. Note: most cds have a capacity of 650 megabytes (700 is possible) / 74 minutes of plain audio. There are lots of programs out there to make it easy to rip tracks off of cds [and convert them to more portable formats, like mp3].. but I'd say CDex would prolly be the easiest / best one for you. I can't think of how cds could be crashing your Winamp.. How are you trying to play them? Unsolicited recommendation: just give your friend the cds and have them make the copies for you. (Unless of course you were saying that you wanted to make some mix cds, in which case you'll probably need to just take your cds over to your friend's house and sit with 'em while they do it. grin) For more information about cds 'n wavs 'n mp3s 'n the formation of the universe, you could head on over to the Tech Support Greatest Hits forum. (If you've got a question, it's a pretty safe bet that it's been answered there.) Hey cool! You gave me something to do for five or ten minutes! (And it was something that made me feel mildly useful--hooray!) Have a nice day.. or something.

14th May 2001, 11:36	#3
. - .... .- -. .... Backpacking Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: საქართველო (Georgia) Posts: 10,104	From what I read you tried to get your friend to copy cda files onto a zip disk?? any wonder you were getting error messages. First of all, the title of the post says that you want to convert cda to mp3, so you don't need a CD burner to do this. All you need is a reasonable computer with a CD-ROM, and some ripping software, such as CDex as Flynnz rightly suggested. There are plenty of other brands of software out there, but CDex is the best, and it's free. So install this on your computer. Once it's installed you are ready to rip CD's. There are a couple of settings that I would recommend first. Open up CDex, and go to OPTIONS -> SETTINGS. Under the "Encoder" tab, set the "Lame MP3 Encoder" in the Encoder box, and in the Min bitrate box, set the minimum bitrate that you would like the mp3s top have. I use 192Kbps. Under the "filenames" tab, you can set the directory where the resulting mp3s are to be stored. All other settings are ok. Exit the settings and put your CD in the drive. If you are online, the CDDB information will be read automatically, and this information will be used to automatically generate ID3 tags. Highlight the tracks taht you want, go to CONVERT -> EXTRACT CD TRACK(S) TO MPEG FILE, and wait. When it's finished, the directory you selected should now contain mp3s. And not a CD burner in sight Like my photography? Buy some here....

14th May 2001, 19:39	#5
Cronically Insane Junior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Stourbridge UK Posts: 4	There right you know I'd agree with these guys I just downloaded the latest version of Cdex( http://www.cdex.n3.net ) and it rocks Have a nice day

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

14th May 2001, 00:00	#1
robynie Junior Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 1	How do you? Can you? I thought at first that if I just opened the cda in winamp I could like resave it as an mp3. The reason I want to do this because I don't have cd burner, so my friend is going to burn this cd for me, so I was going to save all the tracks on a zippy. But anyway, my first idea did not work because everytime I try to open a cda in winamp it crashes. Even though this file type appears on the list. Can I open them? Or do I even need to? Help...

14th May 2001, 17:06	#4
Flynnz Major Dude Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: mostly not here anymore Posts: 855	"CDex is the best" I think it can be dangerous to make statements like these.. (I use Exact Audio Copy, by the way.)

15th May 2001, 00:29	#6
NeoRenegade Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada, eh? Posts: 4,083	You guys are penny pinchers. I have AudioGrabber.