If you are a music lover then you should know how to rip high quality MP3s in windows without using iTunes.Whenever we want to rip CDs into compressed audio files in widows we think that iTunes is the best expedient way to do it.But now it isn’t the only way achieve it.Yes I am talking about an open-source encoder named as LAME which is one of the best encoders available. To create high-quality MP3s we can use it  Exact Audio Copy (EAC) ,which is a  free CD-ripping program.

Let’s have a look how it works:

Installation:

Step-1:You need to download the Windows executable of LAME and unzip it.

Step-2:Download Exact audio copy and install it.Then EAC  need to configure the drive for use.So you must have some audio CD in your optical drive.You have to enter the location of the LAME encoder you unzipped in Step 1 when you when you are prompted after accepting all the terms and conditions. If you want to use the freedb CD database then mention your E-mail id.

Step-3:Next you need to go to EAC > Compression Options (or F11) and click on the External Compression tab. Change the bit rate to your desired setting.If you prefer 320 Kbps or above then it can be overkilled and  the resulting file size will be very large.That’s why I recommend 192 Kbps at minimum.

EAC compression

Rip/Encode a CD:

Step-1: Look up your CD in the freedb database when you’ve inserted an audio CD into your optical drive which will help you not to enter the album and track details manually.Go to Database > Get CD Information From > Remote Metadata Provider, or use the shortcut Alt-G.Add the album cover and lyrics when it is prompted.

Step-2:To start copying the tracks to compressed (MP3) files you need to click on the CMP icon on the left hand side.Now choose a destination folder where you want to save the MP3s.

Step-3:Time to show your patience.Yes wait for EAC to finish ripping your  tracks to MP3.Then enjoy your music to the fullest.

Remember that the tracks are encoded in VBR (variable bit rate) instead of  CBR (constant bit rate). Most modern portable music players support VBR music files but if you want to double check before copying them over then you can make yourself confirmed.That’s it.