CD rip error in Apple Music on MacBook Air: "required file cannot be found"

Question

CD rip error in Apple Music on MacBook Air: "required file cannot be found"

I'm attempting to rip a CD to Apple Music on my MacBook Air 2020 running Monterey 12.6. I am able to rip the first file in each attempt, but as soon as it moves on to the second, I receive the same error message over and over: "Error occurred while converting the file [file name]. The required file cannot be found."

After reviewing older threads here I've tried removing the Music icon and relaunching the program from the applications folder; updating permissions to "read and write" access for my Apple Music folders; changed the default location for imported music tracks to the music folder under my primary user identity; I have rebooted the computer after each of these steps. However, I continue to receive the same error message each time I try to rip a CD (I've tried multiple different CDs purchased at different times, etc.).

I'd welcome any helpful suggestions. Thanks.

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Nov 6, 2022 9:04 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Scott-he-him

Level 5

4,440 points

Nov 6, 2022 9:21 PM in response to wonderingappleseed

Hello,

Have you checked your "error correction" permissions within the app setting?

Import songs from CDs into Music on Mac - Apple Support

"If you have trouble importing songs from an audio CD

In the Music app, on your Mac, check the following if Music doesn’t recognize audio CDs or if you’re having trouble importing songs:

If error correction is turned on, it can take longer to import CDs. Choose Music > Settings, click Files, then click Import Settings. If the “Use error correction when reading Audio CDs” checkbox isn’t selected, select it. If it’s already selected, deselect it.
If you have more than one CD or DVD drive, try using Music with each drive.
If it’s taking a long time to import a song (more than 10 minutes) from an audio CD, the CD may be dirty or scratched. Try cleaning the CD with a soft, lint-free cloth, then importing the songs again.

If you still have trouble importing songs, visit the Music Support website."

I hope this helps.

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Answer 2

Nov 6, 2022 10:34 PM in response to wonderingappleseed

Gotcha. One thing I want to bring up but may not actually be helpful is that, if your MacBook Air is an Intel chip model, resetting your NRAM may be in play if disk import settings are stored there.

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

"Do you need to reset NVRAM?

NVRAM (or PRAM) is a small amount of memory that your Mac uses to store and quickly access certain system settings such as sound volume, display resolution, startup-disk selection, and time zone. These settings vary by Mac and the devices you're using with it.

Normally you can manage these settings in System Preferences, without resetting NVRAM. If one or more settings still don't work as expected, resetting NVRAM might help. Resetting NVRAM is also recommended as the final step before you sell, give away, or trade in an Intel-based Mac."

Also, what is your encoding format set to when this occurs? AAC is standard and should work but AIFF is built for audio CDs. Either should work but if you are set for another that may be the issue.

Choose import settings in Music on Mac - Apple Support

Other than that I am out of guesses. Apple Support may be your next best point of support of you have not found success in the communities so far.

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Answer 3

Nov 6, 2022 9:44 PM in response to Scott-he-him

Thanks for your reply. I should have mentioned in my first post that I have tried the rip with the error correction setting both on and off (on different attempts, of course), and received the same error message regardless of which correction setting was in effect. So I don't think that's the problem here. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

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Answer 4

Nov 7, 2022 8:08 AM in response to Scott-he-him

Thanks for your suggestion. My computer has an Apple M1 chip.

I hadn't tried changing the encoding to AAC or AIFF from Mp3, and I just tried both but received the same error message, unfortunately.

I guess I'll try Apple Support next!

Thanks again for your help.

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CD rip error in Apple Music on MacBook Air: "required file cannot be found"

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