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Thread: Installing, configuring, and ripping with Exact Audio Copy (EAC)

  1. #1
    ca_aok's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +1
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    Guide written by caaok.
    I'd like to thank everyone who helped me with this guide. You know who you are.

    Download link: http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/en/inde...rces/download/
    Current version as of this guide: EAC 1.0 beta 3.

    This guide was made for EAC version 1.0 beta 3 and will not completely work with earlier versions. Versions 0.99 or earlier should use the blowfish guide.

    Anything with a green outline around it is a required setting. Anything orange is required but depends on your drive. Anything unmarked is optional.

    This is meant to be a no-frills guide with little extra info. A more comprehensive (but outdated) guide can be found here:
    http://blowfish.be/eac

    Step 1: Download and install EAC
    Download the installer and fire it up.

    eac01.png

    Eventually you'll get to a screen like this. Make sure you install AccurateRip, CDRDAO, CTDB, and freedb as a bare minimum. FLAC will be useful as well if you don't have it separately installed. GD3 is only useful if you want to pay for metadata results. I assume you don't.

    Step 2: Start EAC

    eac02.png

    When you first start EAC, you'll see a screen like this one. Hit "Cancel". Next, put a popular CD into your drive, preferably not one that was recently released (a few months old at least). You'll see a window like the one below appear. If you have an older version of EAC or dBpoweramp installed, it's likely AccurateRip was already configured, and this may not appear.

    eac03.png

    Hit Configure. It may take a few minutes. Hit "Ok" afterward. Once again, if you have an older version of EAC or dBpoweramp installed, it's likely AccurateRip was already configured, and this may not appear.

    Step 3: EAC Options
    All of the options dialogs can be found from the EAC menu at the top of the screen.

    eac04.png

    Start with EAC Options. Any tabs not pictured are completely optional settings, or are irrelevant to ripping.

    eac05.png

    Make sure you set the green highlighted settings as shown. If you're using an older version of EAC, make sure "No use of null samples for CRC calculations is UNCHECKED. The rest is optional, choose as you will. Locking the drive tray during extraction isn't a bad idea though.

    eac06.png

    These settings are pretty much all optional and self explanatory. I'd recommend using Alternate CD play routines and disabling autostart though.

    The "Create log files always in english language" is very important for our international users. This will let you keep EAC's language as your native one, but write the log file in English, allowing it to pass our logchecker without needing to be rescored manually.

    eac07.png

    If your drive is capable of reading UPC/ISRC codes and CD-Text (you can only really figure this out by trial and error), you're welcome to keep the top two options checked. Otherwise, uncheck them.

    Other than that, these settings are pretty much ideal. I wouldn't recommend using more than 1 compressor thread even if you have a multicore computer. It doesn't take very long compared to the track extraction anyway. Note that in tests run by punkmeup, disabling the queue of external compressors in the background fixed an issue where EAC was generating WAV files instead of FLAC, so I've made that a required option. It should have no bearing on the rip quality. If rip queueing works for you (it does for me), feel free to leave it enabled.

    eac08.png

    Friends don't let friends normalize their EAC rips. Don't ever do it. It will instantly be given a 0% by the logchecker.

    eac09.png

    This is the proper way to name tracks. The only difference acceptable here would be perhaps %tracknr2%. %title% if you prefer periods instead of dashes in the filenames. If you need track numbers to go into triple digits for some reason, use %tracknr3% instead.


    Naming Convention : %tracknr2% - %title%

    Check 'Use Various Artists Naming Scheme' and use : %tracknr2% - %artist% - %title%

    Don't replace spaces by underscores. It looks ridiculous.

    Spoiler: Show


    Step 4: Drive Options

    eac10.png

    Start by hitting "Detect Read Features...". This will actually take a few minutes. The only feature detection that actually matters is Accurate Stream. If your drive can use it, checkmark the setting (most modern drives have Accurate Stream). If it can't, don't.

    Even if your drive doesn't cache audio, just do us a favour and leave that checked. Not only will it stop you from having to have each of your uploads rescored by hand, but it doesn't affect the audio quality at all. Yes, the rips take a bit longer with that setting enabled. Go watch TV or something while you wait.

    Do not use C2, even if EAC thinks you can. Most drives have terrible C2 error implementation.

    eac11.png

    Hit "Autodetect read command now". It shouldn't take long. Leave everything else unchecked unless you're having problems. You can checkmark "CD-Text Read capable drive" if you want to test whether your drive can do it. If it can, great, otherwise, uncheck it. It's unlikely you'll ever use that feature anyway.

    eac12.png

    If you did the AccurateRip configuration at the start of this guide, the top half here will be greyed out. If not, you'll need to find your read offset correction from this list. Don't use a combined read/write offset.

    If you want to figure out whether your drive needs "Overread into Lead-in and Lead-Out" checked, you can check by temporarily unchecking "Use AccurateRip with this drive". Stick a CD in the drive and hit "Detect read sample offset correction...". If you're just doing this for the Overread, see below:

    Quote Originally Posted by blowfish.be
    Check "Overread Lead-In and Lead-Out" only if the test result says that your drive can overread from both the Lead-In and Lead-Out, or if it says Lead-Out and your offset correction is positive ,or if it says Lead-In and your offset correction is negative. Otherwise disable (uncheck) it.
    Remember to check "Use AccurateRip with this drive" again once you're finished. AccurateRip is always a good idea.

    eac13.png

    Pretty much every drive should work with the settings shown. If yours stalls on detecting gaps or detects gaps that are obviously wrong (like 30 second gaps on a non-live album), try Detection method B or C. If A, B, and C all fail, you can switch "Secure" to "Accurate" and try again.

    Step 5: Metadata Options

    eac14.png

    Here's where you pick your metadata provider. If you did install GD3, it'll be in the list. You can only rip 10 discs before you have to pay for a subscription though. Otherwise, you have a choice between the MusicBrainz plugin (CTDB), freedb plugin and EAC's native freedb support. I'm not really sure what the big difference is, I'm guessing it's the cover+lyrics. Anyway, change those settings above if you wish.

    eac15.png

    If you use EAC's native freedb instead, the settings should look like this. Make sure you put an email at the top, it doesn't need to be real. Hit "Get active freedb server list". Then checkmark the last option.


    Step 6: Compression Options

    eac16.png

    Set up this tab exactly as shown. You'll have to browse to the path where you have flac.exe, if you installed it with EAC it's in C:\Program Files (x86)\Exact Audio Copy\FLAC\flac.exe. If you installed it separately it's wherever you installed it. The bitrate and high/low quality have no effect on the rip.

    The commandline parameters have changed in this version, so this will look new to most of you. The commandline recommended for optimal completeness is this:

    -8 -V -T "ARTIST=%artist%" -T "TITLE=%title%" -T "ALBUM=%albumtitle%" -T "DATE=%year%" -T "TRACKNUMBER=%tracknr%" -T "GENRE=%genre%" -T "PERFORMER=%albuminterpret%" -T "COMPOSER=%composer%" %haslyrics%--tag-from-file=LYRICS="%lyricsfile%"%haslyrics% -T "ALBUMARTIST=%albumartist%" -T "DISCNUMBER=%cdnumber%" -T "TOTALDISCS=%totalcds%" -T "TOTALTRACKS=%numtracks%" -T "COMMENT=%comment%" %source% -o %dest%

    It takes no extra effort on your part, just copy and paste that into the additional commandline options and you're done.

    Note: the %comment% function is broken in version 1.0b2 (it returns the track CRC). Use something like -T "COMMENT=EAC V1.0 beta 2, Secure Mode, Test & Copy, AccurateRip, FLAC -8" instead.

    Also, as of Beta 3 you may use the %tracknr1% variable instead of %tracknr% if you would like to have no leading zeroes in the track number field (like XLD does). tracknr1 will use, for example, '1' instead of '01'.

    Spoiler: Show


    Spoiler: Show


    eac17.png

    Leave everything unchecked except the last option.

    Congrats! EAC is now properly set up! You may wish to save your settings in a profile by hitting "New" at the bottom of the screen. However, unless you're changing your settings frequently there's no need, EAC will remember all of this on next launch regardless.

    Step 7: Tagging

    eac18.png

    So now let's look at the main window. Be sure everything is named correctly here, as these will be the tags on your ripped files. If you're ripping a classical CD, you may wish to fill in the Composer/Performer fields.

    Drag a cover image into the EAC window. I think ~500x500 is a decent size in most cases. Google images is your friend here.

    If you're ripping a box set, you may wish to use the options under the cover image, otherwise leave them all as "1".

    Finally, if you want to add lyrics to the tracks, use the "Lyrics" button.

    Note: I've also highlighted the "New" button where you can save your settings. This is not a necessary step each time you rip.

    Step 8: Gap Detection and Cuesheets

    eac19.png

    The pre-rip stuff happens here. Make sure "Append Gaps to Previous Track (default)" is checked. It should be. Next, hit the options in the order shown.

    First, hit "Detect Gaps". This is very important, your rip will fail the logchecker if you do not complete this step. If the first track is highlighted in red, you have a hidden track. You'll want to look at this section of the blowfish.be guide.

    Next, go to Create CUE Sheet -> Multiple WAV Files With Gaps... (Noncompliant). This is usually where I create the folder for ripping as well. Do NOT rip your tracks to any directory containing your name. You should NEVER edit a log for any reason, especially now that we have checksums. A simple C:\EAC Rips is fine.

    I name my directories as follows:
    Artist - Album (Year) [Format] {Extra}

    So for example, with the album in the screenshots, it'd be

    Sam Roberts Band - Collider (2011) [FLAC] {UMC 0252764577}

    However, as long as it contains the album name and no nested folders (don't do \Artist\Album\), you're fine by the rules here.

    Anyway, make the folder, save the .cue file into it. I usually just name mine Noncompliant.cue, it doesn't really matter.

    Step 9: Ripping

    eac20.png

    Finally, the rip itself! Make sure all the tracks are checkmarked in the main window unless there are some you don't want to rip.

    Test & Copy -> Compressed.

    Depending on your drive and whether or not the CD is scratched, this could take anywhere from ten minutes to four hours. Be patient.

    Step 10: Post-Rip

    So you're done! You may wish to use a logchecker to check and make sure your rip is proper, but if you followed this guide, the only possible errors would be with the CD itself. It does happen... some CDs are too badly damaged, even for EAC. Your best bet is to clean the CD and try again.

    Other than that, it never hurts to make sure your files are tagged and named properly (though they should be). Any extra stuff you want to include should be added now as well... Additional artwork, an md5 fingerprint, an info.txt file, that sort of thing.

    Appendix A: CueTools Plugin (Optional)

    This is now installed by selecting "CTDB" in the EAC 1.0b3 options. Therefore, this will only be necessary for EAC 1.0b1 and 1.0b2, or if you want to update the plugin by hand to a newer version.

    Starting with version 1.0b1, EAC now supports plugins! While they've so far been few and far between, the CueTools plugin is quite handy. Not only does it give you a second opinion past the AccurateRip database and include the CueTools hash in the log, but it also gives you an option to get metadata from MusicBrainz if you prefer it to freedb.

    Download page:
    http://www.cuetools.net/wiki/CTDB_EAC_Plugin

    Installation: Extract the files to EAC's root directory (containing EAC.exe). Usually this is located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Exact Audio Copy.

    Usage: None, it works automatically. You can check whether it's installed under EAC Options->Audio Plugins. If you wish to use MusicBrainz, go to Metadata Options and select "CUETools DB Metadata Plugin" from the list.
    Last edited by anon; 10-20-2017 at 10:48 PM. Reason: Reuploaded screenshots
    Quote Originally Posted by whatcdfan View Post
    u are somewhat fairer then the last occasions but still pal i give a damn to what u said and expect i really dont need anything from u or optimuscrime i get what i want coz u 2 guyes dont own bittorrent and i dont think i portrayed any image i wrote simple english and u are seems to be very good at making assumptions if someone is not a cheater and u assume he's a cheater and write what u wrote and when u are proven wrong who u think will owe an apology then barack obama????

  2. The following users thank ca_aok for this post:  
    anon (07-01-2011) , Evelyn (07-04-2011) , lonewolf2507 (05-16-2013) , maximus_lt (09-30-2017) , spot101 (07-11-2011)
  3. Guides and Tutorials   -   #2
    Very nice guide, everything is well-explained with screenshots to boot. This is how a tutorial should be done.

    Two small thingies - you might want to edit the paragraph about creating logs in English so that it's clear you're referring to What.cd's log checker. Same goes for the recommendation of not editing logs under any circumstances.
    "I just remembered something that happened a long time ago."

  4. Guides and Tutorials   -   #3
    ca_aok's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +1
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    I actually tried to be as non-site specific as possible since this is more of a public guide, so I'll probably edit those down.
    Quote Originally Posted by whatcdfan View Post
    u are somewhat fairer then the last occasions but still pal i give a damn to what u said and expect i really dont need anything from u or optimuscrime i get what i want coz u 2 guyes dont own bittorrent and i dont think i portrayed any image i wrote simple english and u are seems to be very good at making assumptions if someone is not a cheater and u assume he's a cheater and write what u wrote and when u are proven wrong who u think will owe an apology then barack obama????

  5. Guides and Tutorials   -   #4
    whatcdfan's Avatar A.W.A BT Rep: +2
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    Good work done, Thanks mate

  6. Guides and Tutorials   -   #5
    Evelyn's Avatar กก ƃɯo ƃɯo ƃɯo BT Rep: +7BT Rep +7
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    kudos !!

  7. Guides and Tutorials   -   #6
    Evelyn's Avatar กก ƃɯo ƃɯo ƃɯo BT Rep: +7BT Rep +7
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    i updated to beta2 today (clean install, uninstalled previous version & reinstalled new)
    i followed this guide side by side, and ripped an flac. what cd throws me its only 75% flac
    i reverted back to my old configuration (as fas as i remember my last config) now when i ripping (test & copy) its showing me estimated time as much as 2hours

    does anyone has any clue whats wrong ? previously to 100% flac it was taking me 10-15 minute max.

    EAC beta2 , win7 x64, 16GB RAM
    Last edited by Evelyn; 07-09-2011 at 03:36 PM. Reason: OS details added

  8. Guides and Tutorials   -   #7
    ca_aok's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +1
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    Quote Originally Posted by Evelyn View Post
    i updated to beta2 today (clean install, uninstalled previous version & reinstalled new)
    i followed this guide side by side, and ripped an flac. what cd throws me its only 75% flac
    i reverted back to my old configuration (as fas as i remember my last config) now when i ripping (test & copy) its showing me estimated time as much as 2hours

    does anyone has any clue whats wrong ? previously to 100% flac it was taking me 10-15 minute max.

    EAC beta2 , win7 x64, 16GB RAM
    You should read what the logchecker tells you is wrong, and paste the errors here (or PM me, I'm more likely to notice). Send me the log as well. I'll tell you what to change.

    As for the ripping speed, no clue. EAC seems to arbitrarily choose its own speed based on any number of factors.

    Did you install the optional CUETools plugin? One poster claimed that slowed the rip (no idea why it would though).
    Last edited by ca_aok; 07-26-2011 at 08:50 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by whatcdfan View Post
    u are somewhat fairer then the last occasions but still pal i give a damn to what u said and expect i really dont need anything from u or optimuscrime i get what i want coz u 2 guyes dont own bittorrent and i dont think i portrayed any image i wrote simple english and u are seems to be very good at making assumptions if someone is not a cheater and u assume he's a cheater and write what u wrote and when u are proven wrong who u think will owe an apology then barack obama????

  9. Guides and Tutorials   -   #8
    ca_aok's Avatar Poster BT Rep: +1
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    Updated for 1.0b3.
    Quote Originally Posted by whatcdfan View Post
    u are somewhat fairer then the last occasions but still pal i give a damn to what u said and expect i really dont need anything from u or optimuscrime i get what i want coz u 2 guyes dont own bittorrent and i dont think i portrayed any image i wrote simple english and u are seems to be very good at making assumptions if someone is not a cheater and u assume he's a cheater and write what u wrote and when u are proven wrong who u think will owe an apology then barack obama????

  10. Guides and Tutorials   -   #9
    dreamslides
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    Thanks for this guide cuz I was totally confused about how the hell to use EAC. It made no sense to me at all, I can't decide whether to stick with it or foobar2000?! Or CueTools? OMG :X

    I will use EAC for now, but I love the others as well. Thanks for your work on this guide man I am ripping my CD's to single FLAC and CUES then playing in foobar2000

  11. Guides and Tutorials   -   #10
    IdolEyes787's Avatar Persona non grata
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    I dunno seems like an awful lot of work compared to simply shoplifting the stuff.
    Respect my lack of authority.

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