DJGold

Digital Scott · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:13 pm Post subject:

I have always ripped at 320 or 256

Supernatural · Joined: December 26th, 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Cali

Much to be said about this topic. Not only what bit rate but what format VBR, CBR, LAME, etc... Some dj programs handle different formats better than others. For this reason and best quality, I rip everything to WAV.

Again, much to be said about this topic. I can tell the difference between WAV and MP3 but the audience you are performing for will not. I think it's personal preference.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Some folks have opted to have hard drives full of just wav files so as technology changes, and more 'lossless' software appears, they don't have to re-rip. Never ended up doing this but not a bad idea!

djdonny · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:48 am Post subject:

I'm hoping that as new technology arrives, it will also include a way to re-rip my CDs in a very small fraction of the time it takes me now.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Rom drives do seem to be ripping at faster speeds as new models are released. So yes, there is hope. Imagine, ripping at 100x or faster with no
errors!

Supernatural · Joined: December 26th, 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Cali

jwg wrote: Some folks have opted to have hard drives full of just wav files so as technology changes, and more 'lossless' software appears, they don't have to re-rip. Never ended up doing this but not a bad idea!

Yeah, and the fact that everything is ripped in WAV means you have a good quality backup of your CD collection or at least the important music needed for gigs should something ever happen to your CD collection.
In fact, I have a HD loaded up (WAV) that just chills in the office should something happen to my CD's or road external HD. LOL! I sound paranoid...

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Certainly it's not paranoid having all that backup...it's common sense.

SirWolfy · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:31 am Post subject:

djdonny wrote: I'm hoping that as new technology arrives, it will also include a way to re-rip my CDs in a very small fraction of the time it takes me now.

Donny,

Actually, the real beauty of ripping to a lossless format is that it only takes a fraction of the time to do. MP3s take xx amount of time to rip then encode (compress) the file, that's where the work occurs. In other words, the lower the bitrate you specify, the more calculating and voodoo the CPU must accomplish to complete each file. Then if you throw in Variable Bit Rate (VBR), there's even more calculating time that the CPU needs to complete each file.

Dj Sean · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject:

Quote: Actually, the real beauty of ripping to a lossless format is that it only takes a fraction of the time to do.

That's a very good point Wolfy. I also believe that if were gonna spend all this extra money on nice speakers and cables, etc. Why not use the top quality audio formats AIFF or WAV.

As some may argue cause its loud at most venues and the average guy can't hear the difference, I beg to differ. UNCONSCIOUSLY they do, here's an example, ever been to a BBQ party or something similar where the audio is crappy because someone's playing the music too loud for that little home stereo to play accurately, people will gradually move away from the speakers, either outside or inside just so they are not getting the full effect in their ears, and YET NO ONE complains.Its because they don't consciously realize it but it does have a real effect.

I have heard many times from B & G's and their guests the music SOUNDED wonderful and this is almost always when I just play my CD's.

So if you spend around $300 bucks you can get a nice 300 GB external Harddrive, that should be more than enough room from all your CD to be ripped using AIFF or WAV and played from you laptop. I think I just convienced myself to do it!!! :D

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

The only time a difference has ever been heard by me is if the original analog source is bad. Have noticed some of my Time-Life Sounds of The Seventies aren't the best, even at 192.

Joseph Ivy · Joined: August 16th, 2006 Posts: 133 Location: Glendale, AZ

I always rip at 320 cbs. It is worth the few logistical problems to know that I have the highest quality files that I can. I don't think that mine will ever become the industry standard.

pjlowe · Joined: July 15th, 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Pembroke, MA

I just got a laptop (gateway) and started to rip my cds at 192 to windows media player. my question is how do I then take all of these songs and put them onto my external hard drive? (complete digital dj novice here)

thank you for your advice in advance
pj the dj

SirWolfy · Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject:

Greets PJ,

How have you been my friend, haven't seen you since DJIS #9 last year.

To transfer the files, you find out what folder(s) Windows Media Player has stored them in. Once you know where they are, you can set a folder or any number of folders on the external drive and transfer them simply by using copy & paste or cut n paste commands.

Joseph Ivy · Joined: August 16th, 2006 Posts: 133 Location: Glendale, AZ

To continue on what Wolfy wrote. You should also set your Windows Media Player to rip directly onto your external drive.

Plug your drive in. Open Windows Media Player. Open the tools menu. Open the setting window. Select the 'Rip Music' tab. Click the 'Change' button. Now select the external drive.

From now on your music will rip directly onto your external drive. Just make sure you have it connected before you open windows media player.

Dj Sean

*Update* I just got a 300 GB or 280 GB to be exact (hard drive companies short you cause their evil) for $120 after mail in rebate (another evil attempt to make more money) at Staples. Regardless, what - a - deal !!

I am gonna try an backup all my CD's with the AIFF codec and see how fast I eat up 280 GB.
I'll post the results when this is done, but don't hold your breath cause this is gonna take awhile.

pjlowe · Joined: July 15th, 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Pembroke, MA

Sir Wolfy always nice to hear from an expert. I really dont know what folders my music is on? I simply insert the cd into my player and click on the rip button of windows media player. I dont assign a folder. should I be doing that?
And thanks to joseph for your reply too.
pjthedj

pjlowe · Joined: July 15th, 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Pembroke, MA

Hi wolfy, it has been awhile hasn it. when I rip a cd to windows
I just click on the rip cd button. I dont assign a folder to it. does this happen automatically?
and thanks to dj joseph for your input!
pjthedj

Joseph Ivy · Joined: August 16th, 2006 Posts: 133 Location: Glendale, AZ

If you go into your 'My Documents' folder, there will be a folder called 'My Music'. Your files are probably in there.

However, they might be in the 'My Music' file on the C drive or in the 'Shared Documents' folder.

If you follow my directions to change the folder that windows media saves to, then you will see the path (C:/YourName/My Documents/My Music) that the music is saved to. If you highlight that path and past it into the address bar of internet explorer, then the window will open up that folder on your hard drive. After that, just select all, copy, and paste.

len · Joined: July 2nd, 2005 Posts: 105

eldjdelcaribe wrote: Most people at an event will not even know the diffrence between 128 or higher. After a couple of drinks they won't even notice if you play it at 94. LOL

Probably. But I could tell. I did everything at 192 cbr.

Dj Sean · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject:

eldjdelcaribe wrote:
Quote: Most people at an event will not even know the diffrence between 128 or higher. After a couple of drinks they won't even notice if you play it at 94.

This is where I think many DJ's go wrong. Many DJ's, I think, believe this.

I just went to a small concert near where I live and I could tell people loved the band's music but not their "sound". And me, well, I felt like my ears where bleeding. Their sound guy didn't have a clue. Halfway thru the show alot of people left.

Yeah, most people might not notice a difference between 1411, 320, 128, or 92 "consciously" but "Sound quality" effects most people on a "sub"conscious level", they don't even realize why their not getting into the groove.

Plus, not to mention, if your sound is at its best quality. It won't be "muddy" which means, you can have higher sound levels and quests will still be able to talk and hear each other.

Ask ESC I am sure he will agree with me on this one.