FREE CD RIPPERS

Can I have a suggestion for a good, accurate but easy to use and free ripper?

I’d feel inclined to suggest Exact Audio Copy (http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/) for Windows, there’s a nice guide (Thread 91868) to help through its configuration.

i have also used this one – fre:ac Portable (formerly BonkEnc) | PortableApps.com – Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives (http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/freac_portable)
i have used it before with good result

I always use express rip, quick and fast ripper. Sometimes wrong album info but quality is great!

EAC. It’s the very best ripper, it’s the gold standard, and it’s free. It’s a bugger to set up correctly but you only have to do it once, and there are tutorials all over the place.

There are a dozen different rippers but only dBpoweramp approaches EAC’s level of quality. All others (and that includes iTunes) aren’t worth a turd.

/thread

:laugh:
As Leon and Tango already suggested, EAC is probably your best bet. I archive most of my CDs in FLAC with EAC.
When I am lazy or on a different computer, I just use Foobar and rip in "Secure" mode. It’s not as accurate but I don’t hear any difference, so…

EDIT: Use XLD if you use are on OS X!

I’d feel inclined to suggest Exact Audio Copy (http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/) for Windows, there’s a nice guide (Thread 91868) to help through its configuration.

I suggest not going to their official site.
They’ve had quite a few attacks on their site where it’s been hijacked and replaced "drug ads".

Use mirror sites to check and download updates.
EAC on VideoHelp.com (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/Exact-Audio-Copy)

I swear by EAC. It provides the most accurate, GAPLESS, CD ripping.
Foobar, I think, can use the AccurateRip database, though I’ve never even thought about using Foobar to rip CDs.

EAC is also good in that takes your specific drive into consideration.
Every drive is different and has unique "offsetting" values.
EAC will use those offsetting values to help properly align music tracks and get the right gapless playback.

Once it’s setup, you don’t have to worry about anything else other than finding the gap values for each CD.

I use FreeRIP. It’s a free download and free to use. Nifty too! FreeRIP: CD to MP3 Converter, MP3 Converter (http://www.freerip.com)

Another vote for XLD for mac and EAC for windows