Best Free Audio Encoder Codec

[famitsu1]

Hi,
basically I'am looking for a free codec which can encode MPEG3 and Wav from normal audio/CDA discs.Any links or info appreciated.
Ta famitsu1

[Digfox]

This may be wrong, not an expert in this area, but I've heard lots of people who go on about Foobar. Is this helpful?...

http://www.foobar2000.org/components.html#foo_wavpack

http://www.foobar2000.org

If not apologies, looks like it might do what you want it to.

[Pacman555]

MP3 and WAV are codecs, you're talking about audio compression software . Use iTunes. It'll let you rip CDs into MP3 or AAC at whatever bitrate you want.

[Ciaran]

I use LAME codec with EAC. Meant to provide the best sound quality.

http://lame.sourceforge.net/

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

[gizmo1990]

I use LAME codec with EAC. Meant to provide the best sound quality.

http://lame.sourceforge.net/

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

Same here, its great!

[superseagulls]

I'm with Giz & Ciaran, if you want the best sound EAC / Lame hands down!
You are highly unlikely to get clicks etc, but ssssllllloooooowwwwww!

I reckon an EAC encoded disc takes approx 3 - 4 times longer than itumes on the same computer though!

[Magnakai]

Personally I reckon CDex is the stuff. EAC and Lame is top notch, but CDex has pretty damn good audio extraction and uses LAME too, plus it's infinitely quicker and easier to use.

[demon9k]

Another vote for CDex, wonderful program.

[muddy]

AAC @160 kbs with iTunes for me.

[famitsu1]

Hi,
thanks everyone for the great response and info,really appreciated.
Ermmm looks like I'll be doing a bit of wondering aorund those links tomorrow then.
Yeah Pacman your right,what I meant to say is that I'am indeed after compression software(I'am not exactly pc literate).
Ideally what would meet my needs best is a user friendly program which can convert CD to MPEG3(320Kbs-thats the best isn't it?)&WAV,don't require it to do anything else.
Thanks again everyone.
Ta famitsu1

[yashiro]

I use LAME codec with EAC. Meant to provide the best sound quality.

http://lame.sourceforge.net/

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

This is the combo to use.

[Papercut]

I've been tinkering with faac recently, and I'm quite impressed.

I'm even considering switching from lame to faac at the moment.

[mid]

CD-EX to an external version of the latest LAME, set to use --alt-preset-standard for me. 160-192kbs VBR encoding that sounds really nice.

iTunes users - how do you find AAC in comparison? I'd consider switching if I can get smaller files of the same quality, but the only online references seem to be comparing them to crummy CBR mp3 encodes at 128kbs.

[muddy]

mid, i find that 160 kbs AAC is better than 192 kbs MP3s. A 2 min 44 sec track weighs in at 3.4MB with AAC and 3.8MB with 192 MP3. not a massive saving per se, but when you have a 160GB drive with over 500 CDs on it, it adds up.

I prefer the iTunes set up simply because I have 2 iPods and the integration of iTunes with ripping and managing is second to none.

just my personal opinion.

[charlesr]

Is nero any good for encoding? I use it all the time, but have never considered using anything else.