From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2012 #1007 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe:mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website:http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Monday, July 16 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 1007 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: High quality sound from a hard drive, njc [Moni Kellermann Subject: Re: High quality sound from a hard drive, njc Am 15.07.2012 06:49, Wie Jim L'Hommedieu so vortrefflich formulierte: > Has anyone here ripped their entire collection of music to a hard > drive? If so, what is required. I have an empty, unused laptop; is > that enough or do I need a new computer? What are the advantages and > drawbacks? I have ripped my whole CD collection to mp3 because I am too lazy to handle the actual discs. I have a Windows laptop and have stored the mp3 on an external hard drive which has 500 GB. As for the requirements to rip a CD, all you need is a computer that can read and play CD's and a suitable program. You could do that on the old laptop. Depending on how big your collection is, an older laptop may not have enough storage space for all your files. A CD with about 10 to 12 songs ripped at 320 kBit/s may take up around 130 MB. If you want to rip the discs "lossless", the files will be bigger. I personally cannot hear any difference between those mp3 and lossless files but I know that there are people who would not want to listen to mp3. To rip the discs, I am using the freeware program fre:ac which is available as a portable version here: http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/freac_portable That way you can use it without messing up your operating system. On my external drive, I have a copy of the freeware program Songbird, also available as a portable version: http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/songbird_portable I use it as a player and database tool for everything that is stored on the external hard drive. I don't think you need a new computer but probably a new external drive for storing your files. You should also consider hooking up the laptop with a pair of nice loudspeakers, as the built-in speakers usually are a little underwhelming. I am using these speakers here http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-970264-0403-X-140-2-0-Speakers/dp/B000IF4788/ref=nosim/cagnlace00/ and I like the sound but of course real hi-fi enthusiasts will probably shudder :) They are solidly built and are perfect for my needs, I can plug in headphones or a small mp3 player as well. I also did not get rid of my original audio CD's, I just stored them away in a few boxes, so should the time come that there is some advanced technology available that would make me want to convert them into something better than the 320 kBit/s mp3's, I could get back to the original discs. The overall advantages for me are the easy handling of a larger collection - I have all files available all the time and to have a program like Songbird lets me find and sort everything, so that's very convenient. I don't see any drawbacks actually. I never liked CD as a medium in the first place and I do not miss juggling the discs or opening and closing those stupid jewel cases - I miss the LP fold-out sleeves which is the reason why I kept my fave Joni albums on vinyl. moni k. ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2012 #1007 ****************************** ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------