CD ripping services

BlueFox

Has anyone used a CD ripping service to have their CDs converted to digital files? I am getting tired of ripping CDs and am ready to send them to somebody and have them do it. For a reasonable price. Any suggestions.

heiney9

Not sure such a service exists other than having a friend or family member do it for you. I guess if you are too tired of it, perhaps it wasn't the path you should have chosen for you music media?

H9

BlueFox

Actually, there are a few if you Google it, including ripping SACDs. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with one. I have ripped around a 1000 CDs and have maybe a 1000 or so to go. Of course, if I send them off to be ripped I will have to inventory them, and then reinventory when they come back. So that will probably take up anytime I save from ripping.

heiney9

I guess I didn't realize there were companies. Do you feel safe sending them your media?

Moose68Bash

BlueFox wrote: »

Actually, there are a few if you Google it, including ripping SACDs. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with one. I have ripped around a 1000 CDs and have maybe a 1000 or so to go. Of course, if I send them off to be ripped I will have to inventory them, and then reinventory when they come back. So that will probably take up anytime I save from ripping.

I've thought about this alternative to sitting around ripping all my CDs, but so far I have come to the same conclusion as @BlueFox.

I also share @heiney9's concern about whether they would all come back and in what condition, as well as whether the quality of the files would be first-rate.

Any experience of fellow Polkies would be much appreciated!

heiney9

I am a control freak, so I would want to be the only person ripping and tagging my digital files.

If my brother can do over 10,000 of his own cds. I think the rest of us can get it done in our free time. It can be a pain at times, but set aside time or just rip the ones you are interested in listening to at that point in time, and before you know it, it's done.

H9

Moose68Bash

heiney9 wrote: »

[Ripping] can be a pain at times, but set aside time or just rip the ones you are interested in listening to at that point in time, and before you know it, it's done.

H9

This is what I had been doing before I started making my way through the ~1,000 CDs my daughter picked up for me.

Now, I've decided to wait till I sort out all the "keepers," then begin the mass ripping process.

Yes, the real motive is likely that I'm, too lazy to discipline myself to rip while sorting!

Emlyn

I also thought about using one of those services, then figured out after doing a couple hundred myself that the physical process of ripping the data from the disc is only half the effort of archiving digital files. I want my metadata and cover art to be just the way I want it, so if I did use one of the services, I would most likely have had to go back and do the tagging myself all over again. Plus, there is no real assurance the ripping is done error free if they are doing it for speed. I also rip mine in WAV format in JRiver which allows for tagging of WAV files, and convert to FLAC or MP3 if I want to use files away from my music server.

Moose68Bash

Emlyn wrote: »

I also thought about using one of those services, then figured out after doing a couple hundred myself that the physical process of ripping the data from the disc is only half the effort of archiving digital files. I want my metadata and cover art to be just the way I want it, so if I did use one of the services, I would most likely have had to go back and do the tagging myself all over again. Plus, there is no real assurance the ripping is done error free if they are doing it for speed. I also rip mine in WAV format in JRiver which allows for tagging of WAV files, and convert to FLAC or MP3 if I want to use files away from my music server.

@Emlyn,

I have these same concerns, but I suspect I know far less about it than you.

Hence, I found your post very helpful.

Thanks for posting your comment.

Tbone289

Take a look at Murfie. I personally don't use them as a ripping service, but that is a service they offer. I just buy FLACs there. https://www.murfie.com/

Moose68Bash

@Tbone289,

Thank you.

Will do.

Just took a quick look. It is a sit and service that obviously requires some studying.

Again, thanks for the suggestion.

Tbone289

@Moose68Bash

Yes, it's a different kind of service that is a bit hard to explain...

You can ship or drop-ship them CDs and they will rip them to your choice of format (mp3, FLAC, etc.) and offer them to you for download with full tags and art, or sell/trade with other members. They will also store your CDs there, and you have the option to leave them there in storage, or have them ship them back to you.

I've been using Murfie for over 1 year, and I have no complaints at all with their service. "Gold" membership is very worthwhile too, if you just buy a few CDs per year you will quickly make back the membership fee in purchase discounts.

Tbone289

@Moose68Bash

Oh yes... One more VERY IMPORTANT thing I should add! (That you might not like)

Your physical CD is only attached to the rip until you download the rip. Once you have downloaded the rip, your CD is shredded. This is how they avoid RIAA issues.

In other words, you can send them your CDs to be ripped and they will be made available for streaming. At the point where you request and download the rip, it will still be available for streaming or future downloading, but the physical CD media will be destroyed.

Likewise, if you sell the CD on Murfie, it is no longer available for streaming or downloading, as it is now owned by someone else. If you download the rip, you also no longer have the option to sell the music.

I hope that makes sense... If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Moose68Bash

Tbone289 wrote: »

@Moose68Bash

Oh yes... One more VERY IMPORTANT thing I should add! (That you might not like)

Your physical CD is only attached to the rip until you download the rip. Once you have downloaded the rip, your CD is shredded. This is how they avoid RIAA issues.

In other words, you can send them your CDs to be ripped and they will be made available for streaming. At the point where you request and download the rip, it will still be available for streaming, but the physical CD media will be destroyed.

I'm a bit old fashioned, which means I would want to retain my physical media.

That's a non-starter for me.

Still, it sounds like a great service for anybody who has more faith in these kinds of Internet services.

Thanks for the suggestion.

BlueFox

Lots of good info here. At this point I think I will just continue ripping new CDs, and occasionally some old ones. Just finished four Scorpion CDs, and one Rainbow.

Tbone289

Moose68Bash wrote: »

I'm a bit old fashioned, which means I would want to retain my physical media.

That's a non-starter for me.

Me too. That's why I don't use Murfie as a ripping service, and do it myself. I just buy & sell on there.