What to do with my CD's ? ... keep, rip, or any other ideas?

[Headcoat]

That's interesting.

I can see it as undermining CD's though, not sure who's logic that was to do it that way. It could be seen as a bit of a double edged sword really because why buy the CD's in the first place. If you can't rip them which maybe your preference for playing the content as time goes by, just buy the download form instead. Or of course don't buy anything and just subscribe to a service where you can have infinite choice rather than owning particular albums.

Yes, you're correct: the net effect could be to undermine CD's. Though, as mentioned a law that few people are aware of and even fewer take any notice of will likely not have much of an impact.

Technically people shouldn't rip CD's. But they do. UK is in limbo on this one and ought get a levy applied and let us all get on - legally - with format shifting music we have paid to own.

Currently it's not the way anyone wants it to be. The consumer (who technically cannot rip a CD) or the copyright owner (who gets no payment for all those CD's that are ripped or copied).

 

[TIU]

So if you rip a CD it takes up less space? I'm worried abut trying it.

 

[Sotosound]

Strangely, however, we're allowed to purchase music in digital form as a downloaded files, which bypasses the physical disc process entirely and gives us a set of files to copy around as we please.

No comprendo.

 

[bencat]

Would the same be true of making a digital copy from a vinyl disc ?

 

[Headcoat]

Would the same be true of making a digital copy from a vinyl disc ?

Likely, it is still 'format shifting'.

 

[Headcoat]

Strangely, however, we're allowed to purchase music in digital form as a downloaded files, which bypasses the physical disc process entirely and gives us a set of files to copy around as we please.

No comprendo.

If you read the small print it's likely a set number of digital copies are allowed. Even burning the downloaded files to CD is (sometimes?) allowed.

It is all non-sensical in practice and as mentioned arises from the fact there is no levy in the UK to cover 'format shifting'. Sort the levy and we might move forward like the rest of the world.

 

[eddie-baby]

Would the same be true of making a digital copy from a vinyl disc ?

I'd assume so it's the music that is the actual copywrite protected, but how many actually do that vinyl to digital. They are certainly a very small niche if they do.

 

[bencat]

It is still the same offence so numbers are not important we all know this is never going to be a law that will be enforced so it should be dropped .

 

[Tony_J]

That's interesting.

I can see it as undermining CD's though, not sure who's logic that was to do it that way. It could be seen as a bit of a double edged sword really because why buy the CD's in the first place. If you can't rip them which maybe your preference for playing the content as time goes by, just buy the download form instead. Or of course don't buy anything and just subscribe to a service where you can have infinite choice rather than owning particular albums.

Streaming services are all very well if you have decent WiFi/4G/5G. And if you can find yourself a streaming service that actually has all the albums you want to listen to.

When I'm out and about with my phone & a pair of headphones, the availability of a data service is patchy, to say the least, so ripped files on the phone is the only reliable way to go. Same applies to music in the car - a thumb drive full of music is the best solution.

 

[Tintinabulum]

I ripped all my CDs in various forms, the good stuff to flac to the stuff I never listen to, high-bit rate mp3s. Very rarely buy physical medium these days but it does occasionally happen, streaming is just too good these days to not be the dominant way to listen.

My CD's have been in storage I'd say for over 10 years ish. Apart from the very rare occasion or perhaps a few of my all time favourites, my CD's never see the light of day. At the time I just looked what the Professionals did or DJs and many used the case logic soft cases that store up to 200-300+ discs. I bought a load of those to store the discs and just ditched the jewel cases but kept the card inlays in a box (the jewel cases are just excess bulk if you ask me). I thought at the time it was the least amount of space that could store large volumes of discs whislt still good access if ever needed. Think it was a good choice personally because they are indeed hardly ever touched anymore.

This was the system

https://amzn.eu/d/eQMmKDV

Looking today though if I was to do it again, this doesn't look too bad either.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27555831...4c8qpEEQXW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Dont think I'd ever get rid of them. I made that mistake the last time round when we all went digital and ditched our vinyl collections

Found an interesting article here on CD lifespan. So it's worth keeping them in something that is good for the discs.

https://www.howtogeek.com/854137/how-long-do-cds-and-dvds-last/

Lifespan looks a little short on that link, they are used for archive storage but need to be kept well. I've just transcribed some cassette tapes from 1972- all good. Loft sounds like a terrible idea- too hot in summer...

 

[Lawrence001]

Yes, you're correct: the net effect could be to undermine CD's. Though, as mentioned a law that few people are aware of and even fewer take any notice of will likely not have much of an impact.

Technically people shouldn't rip CD's. But they do. UK is in limbo on this one and ought get a levy applied and let us all get on - legally - with format shifting music we have paid to own.

Currently it's not the way anyone wants it to be. The consumer (who technically cannot rip a CD) or the copyright owner (who gets no payment for all those CD's that are ripped or copied).

If it means paying more I'd rather keep the status quo TBH, it's not exactly keeping me awake at night

 

[eddie-baby]

so ripped files on the phone is the only reliable way to go.

Thats against the law Tony, come on catch up

 

[eddie-baby]

If it means paying more I'd rather keep the status quo TBH, it's not exactly keeping me awake at night

Change is inevitable Lawrence, whether we like it or not. I liked the 80s myself, but they ain't coming back

 

[vinyl4ever]

Just spare a thought for me - I’ve just started ripping my collection of 2000+ CDs. I’ve been using Exact Audio Copy and takes about 15-20 to rip each disc.

Dvdfab will rip a dvd in 15 mins so a CD in around 3 mins I reckon

 

[Lawrence001]

Change is inevitable Lawrence, whether we like it or not. I liked the 80s myself, but they ain't coming back

Yes change is, but I don't think a levy on copying CDs is, it would seem to be a backwards move to me. Recognising reality and making it legal without an industry levy would be the best change though, I would support that!

 

[sparkmeister]

As @Lawrence001 says if it's taking that long to copy a disc then EAC is not set up properly.
Have you seen this guide to setting up EAC?

https://captainrookie.com/how-to-setup-exact-audio-copy-for-flac-ripping/

Thanks for this. I’ve reinstalled EAC and gone through all those options mentioned in this guide. My first rip is underway and is expected to take 35 mins, so time wise it’s worse. Not surprised as the settings favour accuracy over speed.

My PC is a decent spec (12th gen i5, 32GB DDR5 memory, SSD, etc), so I don’t think it’s anything to do with my hardware. Will try out some of the other suggestions in this thread. Thanks all for the info.

 

[glenhb]

Thanks for this. I’ve reinstalled EAC and gone through all those options mentioned in this guide. My first rip is underway and is expected to take 35 mins, so time wise it’s worse. Not surprised as the settings favour accuracy over speed.

Have you got "secure mode" turned on? That is usually the culprit when rips take a long time.

 

[Lancslinn]

Having moved to a smaller place I still haven't found a solution for my CD collection - about 200+ of them.

I have a smaller vinyl collection and that's in a Kallax unit. I've been looking for a unit to store the CD's but not yet found one that looks nice, is big enough and will fit in with my other stuff. I've thought about looking for a nice solid wood bookcase and adding more shelves to it, or possibly getting some of those soft folders with pockets for CD's and storing them in those with the inserts and boxing up the jewel cases.

Another option would be to rip them all but I know that's going to take a lot of time and I'd have to buy some suitable kit. Not having kept up with such things I don't know what the various solutions for this entail beyond getting some better software than is standard on the laptop, a large hard drive and something to connect laptop to amp.

I've seen something called a Brennan but it's expensive and looks to be more like an all in one amp/drive and media player.

Any ideas/suggestions welcome (apart from sell them and subscribe to Spotify!).

I use an Innuos zen mini mkiii as a server. Ripping a cd takes about 5 mins. The cds are in storage, just in case…. The Innuos has an inbuilt DAC but an external might be better. Expensive solution at about £2k. Shelving sounds best option.

 

[Headcoat]

Yes change is, but I don't think a levy on copying CDs is, it would seem to be a backwards move to me. Recognising reality and making it legal without an industry levy would be the best change though, I would support that!

You'd barely, if even, notice the cost, it would be minimal on blank CD's, hard drives and other storage devices.

The extra cost wouldn't keep me awake at night.

 

[t1no]

Where did you get these boxes mate? It looks like we are moving later during this year and I will need something instead of cardboard boxes. Thanks.

Pretty much all the household, DIY and stationary outlets sell them. See https://www.reallyusefulstorageboxes.co.uk/ for the full range.