Downloading to Itunes

[bubs_42]

Damn this is slow. More so the CD's from the 90's. My settings are set to ACC Encoder and Itunes Plus. Would I get anything by changing my settings?

[JohnnyB]

Damn this is slow. More so the CD's from the 90's. My settings are set to ACC Encoder and Itunes Plus. Would I get anything by changing my settings?

You mean AAC, right? AAC is a more complex encoding/decoding algorithm to get better sound in about the same space as mp3. It does that by varying the bit rate and data density depending on the variations of the data stream (e.g., simple vs. complex passages). So it's doing a lot more processing than previous mp3 encoders. From what I've read at present the main advantage is that it's an incremental sonic improvement over garden-variety 128 kbs mp3, and Apple iTunes uses it on their new DRM-free downloads.

But when it comes to ripping CDs, why not rip them as Apple Lossless? The less processing it has to do, the quicker the rip, and you get the full fidelity of the original. Since you're going to the trouble of ripping, why not get the whole thing? From there, if you want to save space when you load up an iPod you can transfer the files at 128 kbs if you want.

Portable USB drives have gotten so cheap, I recommend putting the iTunes library on one. I use a 500 GB portable. You can pick one up for around $55-80 to hold 1,400 lossless CDs. When it comes to digital sound quality, data density rules. I don't know what fast and slow ripping speeds are for you, but my Macbook Pro rips a CD in ALC in 2-5 minutes depending on the density of the music.

[mathman]

There is also a setting for error correction. If your cd's are clean you can turn this off.