[Hidden-tech] music collection management

[Andy Klapper]

I was unaware that Apple had relaxed the DMR and that there was no DMR on
songs ripped from CD.  Good to know.

 

The advantage of LAME is that it uses a variable bit rate.  This should
result in smaller files at the same bit rate, or the ability to select a
higher bit rate at a similar file size vs. MP3.

 

FLAC is lossless so it will retain the full quality of the original source,
at the cost of a much larger file (still smaller than the one on your audio
CD).

 

 

Andy.

 

 

From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Will
Loving
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 7:34 PM
To: Hidden Tech
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] music collection management

 

I'd just like to correct the following concerning iTunes and DRM (Digital
Right Management copy protection):

the iTunes format has DMR with can cause problems if you want to share the
music or if you want copies on more than three devices)

Music can be imported into iTunes in three basic ways: 1) directly from a
CD; 2) purchased through the iTunes Store, Amazon, CD Baby or other
electronic store (which usually loads automatically into iTunes to play);
or, 3) as an electronic file, for example that someone sent you via email.

1.	Music imported into from CD has no DRM. You can do whatever you want
with it 
2.	Since 2009, all music purchased from iTunes Store is DRM free, the
Amazon store since 2008, meaning that you can do whatever you want with it.
You may have old music purchased from the iTunes store that still has DRM on
it but you can upgrade to DRM free for 30 cents per song. You may encounter
DRM music on other smaller music sites, but if you do, this is a requirement
from the artist or the recording label. 
3.	Music you obtain from a friend in electronic form may or may not of
DRM on it depending on how/where they obtained it.


Regarding iTunes and devices: 

Only older music purchased from the iTunes store has the "authorization"
limit of up to FIVE (not three) computers to play it the music on. The
DRM-free music released since 2009 does not have this requirement.

Regarding formats:

iTunes releases music in AAC format, Amazon in MP3. While MP3 is more common
and familiar to people by name, it's actually a patented, proprietary
format, which AAC is not. Currently MP3 patent holders are not enforcing
licensing or fees but the uncertainty around that is part of why Apple
choose the non-proprietary AAC format.  Nearly all media players can play
both formats and the considered opinion - if you read a lot on this topic -
is that AAC is slightly better quality for the same bit rate. As Andy notes,
depending on the quality you want it might not make much difference which
way you do it. Ripping CDs in iTunes, there are many options under the
Import Settings. You can try some and see what you like. It should be noted
that while the LAME mp3 format may do slightly better than some other MP3
encoders (including the one built into iTunes), it does so only at high bit
rates and does worse at lower.



on 9/13/11 12:06 PM, Andy Klapper at andytk at charter.net wrote:

To some extent it depends on what you want to do with the music.  If you are
going to be playing your music on a quality sound system in your living room
(i.e. big speakers) then I would recommend ripping to a lossless format like
FLAC.  If you are going to be playing your music using a portable device
with ear buds then I would rip to MP3 (the iTunes format has DMR with can
cause problems if you want to share the music or if you want copies on more
than three devices).  For MP3 I would recommend using LAME.  LAME using a
variable compression scheme that gets the most quality for the least amount
of space.  Both FLAC and LAME are open source if that carries any weight for
you.
 
Let me know what you come up with after getting advice from the hidden tech
community.
 
 
Andy.
 

From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Stacy
Kontrabecki
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 11:10 AM
To: hidden-discuss
Subject: [Hidden-tech] music collection management

So my 300 CDs have been taking up space on my office floor for 3 years b/c I
don't know how to deal with them. Looking for recommendations. 

I have:

*	1 Macbook Pro for work that my iPhone 3GS 32 GB is connected to
through iTunes - maybe 20 albums of music is synced to the phone. 14 GB free
on the phone. 
*	5 year old Dell laptop restored to factory settings that I only use
for occasional GPS points downloading. 
*	iTV -not used for media access currently since media is still on
disc! 
*	External drive I back up my Macbook to. Additional PC formatted 160
GB external drive not being used. 
*	What is the best way to get these CDs ripped and accessible? I don't
want to store the music on my work computer hard drive.


Options I've considered:

1.	Purchase another external Mac drive just for music, create 2nd
directory (?) on Macbook iTunes (I need to sync my photos & contacts to the
Mac still) referencing the music I store on the external & sync it to some
new MP3 player. 
2.	Install the music to the Dell (via USB vs. Mac firewire) and use the
existing PC external drive to sync to an MP3 player. 
3.	Retire the 3GS to iPod status and update my phone? 
4.	Crawl into a hole with my vinyl albums and turntable, swearing off
new technology.

Before the iPod/Phone/MP3 phenomenon, I bought a slew of CD sleeves and
binders that I was going to shrink the size of my collection down to. That
never happened. May still do this for "backup" so I can trash the jewel
cases once I figure out the dilemma outlined above.

I so need the real estate in my office and miss playing my music, too.

Thanks for your recommendations in advance.

Stacy




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-- 

William M. Loving
Dedication Technologies, Inc.
7 Coach Lane
Amherst, MA 01002-3304   USA
will at dedicationtechnologies.com
Tel: +1 413 253-7223   (GMT -5)  
Fax: +1 206 202-0476

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