I need is a basic program that doesn't cost money...

Bloodseeker · Post by **Bloodseeker** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:32 am

I have these Rammstein and Metallica CDs sitting over here, and I want to download them onto my iPod. The problem? Judging from the stories that I heard about Metallica being anti-MP3, the fact that I waited for over a minute and the first song still wasn't copied (on both CDs that I tried), and the wierd scratching sounds that my computer is making, I'd say that these CDs are protected.

So I need something that's going to bypass that protection and download them onto my computer so that I can put them on my iPod. What would you guys recommend?

DeinReich · Post by **DeinReich** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:49 am

iTunes will rip the CDs for you.

bum · Post by **bum** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:55 am

It will also put DRM code in them so you cant share the music with your freinds. My creative zen nano is drm free.

gangstaj8 · Post by **gangstaj8** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:15 pm

Have you tried CDex?

Bloodseeker · Post by **Bloodseeker** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:09 am

Thanks for the help and sorry for the delayed response.

iTunes puts something on your disks that prevent them from being ripped again? That would have been some nice information to have a bit sooner... though I guess that I should have seen something like that before hand from a mainstream program like that.

*looks at System of a Down CDs*

That CDex program... will it let me burn a CD that already has the DRM code on it?

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:16 am

No, no. iTunes can't modify an audio CD that's already been burned. The DRM only affects the files you ripped from the CD, not the CD itself.

oldwrench · Post by **oldwrench** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 1:10 pm

You can get around copy protection by recording the output from a cd player. Most computers audio systems have software with a record function. If not, free software like wavepad will do the job. Get a cable that will go from the headphone out on your cd player to the line in on the computer. Record the output from the cd to the computer, you can edit the files with wavepad or other audio software. There are free programs to convert the wave files to mpeg or other types. Check pcworld.com downloads for lots of free or shareware programs to do all of this. There are plenty of other free program download sites like twocows to search for programs. Basicly any audio you can input to your computer line in you can record and burn to a disc. I've done this with my old records, with FM radio and with cassette tapes. Yes you lose a little quality but I don't think you will find that much difference.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 5:18 am

I use Exact Audio Copy with LAME (homepage) (download here) because I like EAC's secure mode of ripping. Install LAME first so when you install/unzip EAC, you can tell it where LAME is on your computer during setup.

I haven't purchased a CD with copy protection in a while, but the last one I ripped was the "Best of Inuyasha Hyakka Ryouran - Inuyasha Theme Zenshu" which is an AVEX Copy Control CD and EAC ripped it fine. I don't think any other CDs I have are copy protected and I don't buy as much music as I used to a few years ago. Sorry if this isn't much help.

One good tip is to never let a CD with copy protection auto-play and NEVER let it install software on your PC. The best thing is to open up your CD ripping software first and then insert the CD into the drive. If possible, use the CD ripper software to close the CD tray.

Also, if you have any CDs with the XCP copy protection from SonyBMG, get them exchanged asap, details here.

As a last note, have you noticed that most CDs today do not have the Compact Disc logo on them? I suppose they aren't real CDs but somehow they play in my CD player...