Converting your CD collection to MP3 (Windows tutorial)

Update: EAC is too complicated to configure so I switched to FairStars CD Ripper.

-----------------------------------------

Original post for reference:

I finally decided it was time to convert my CD collection to MP3 and move to the cloud.  I chose Exact Audio Copy (EAC) with LAME for my CD ripping and MP3 conversion.  I chose pCloud for my audio storage and online streaming.

Setup:

0. Make sure your CD-ROM drive is supported.

1. Download and extract the LAME zip file contents to your computer

2. Install EAC (check freedb and uncheck GD3 and FLAC):

3.  Use these settings during the setup wizard

Put an unscratched, store-bought CD from this list into the specified drive, then click Next.

This popup will display:

(the process will repeat for any additional drive)

Tip: you can enter a fake email address here:

4. In the EAC menu, select EAC > EAC Options... and use these settings:

%albumartist% - %albumtitle% - %tracknr2% - %title%

%artist% - %albumtitle% - %tracknr2% - %title%

(create or browse to an existing output directory)

5. In the EAC menu, select EAC > Compression Options... and use these settings:

-V 0 %source% %dest%

%albumartist% - %albumtitle%

6. In the EAC menu, select EAC > Metadata Options... , choose freedb Metadata Plugin from the dropdown, click the Show options of the selected metadata provider button, then choose Always for the Open cover search... option.  Then click the red X and click OK:

Now you're ready to rip!

A.  Place a CD to rip in the ROM drive
B.  Click the freedb icon to load the CD metadata (click OK if a warning popup appears)
C.  Select the best match from the freedb results and then click OK

D.  The cover art popup will appear.  Select Medium Images (shown as "Done" in the screenshot below).  Click the desired match and then click Transfer selected cover to EAC

E.  Click the CMP icon to start ripping the CD

F.  Enjoy!