Copying a CD audio Master

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Level 1

8 points

Copying a CD audio Master

How do I copy a master audio cd of original music to a blank cd as 1 complete entity (album) so that the time interval between songs & the fades are exactly the same? I've only been able to do this as individual tracks, having to choose an interval from the drop down menu. Also, on the CD copy, the end sustained note at the end of each track has gotten clipped. I'm using iTunes 10.5.3 (3) on a MacBook Pro, OS 10.5.8 Thanks for any help or suggestions.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Feb 5, 2012 9:36 PM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Feb 5, 2012 10:23 PM in response to PeterFolk

Don't use iTunes.

See this -> http://alternativeto.net/software/exact-audio-copy-/?platform=mac

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Answer 2

Limnos

Level 10

411,121 points

Feb 6, 2012 5:18 AM in response to Chris CA

Just so it's clear, the first item (EAC) pulled up on the link provided is actually for Windows, but further down the page are Mac ripping tools. One of my favorites, XLD, is not actually listed there.

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Answer 3

Feb 6, 2012 7:10 AM in response to Limnos

Or just copy the disc with Disk Utility on the Mac.

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Feb 6, 2012 8:18 AM in response to Limnos

Limnos wrote:

Just so it's clear, the first item (EAC) pulled up on the link provided is actually for Windows, but further down the page are Mac ripping tools. One of my favorites, XLD, is not actually listed there.

And just to be really clear, that web page is AlternativeTo, and it shows EAC as the To and then gives Alternatives.😉

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Answer 5

PeterFolk Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 6, 2012 11:02 AM in response to Airsculpture

"Or just copy the disc with Disk Utility on the Mac."

Just tried this. After I highlight the disc in the Disk Utility list, when I go to the drop down menu File>New>Disk image from ... where the audio cd would be chosen has a grayed out message instead: "Cannot image non-data (audio) CD's". This is the way I used to copy audio cd's on older mac's. Much easier, but--it seems--alas: no more.

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Answer 6

Zyriab

Level 4

3,344 points

Feb 6, 2012 11:05 AM in response to PeterFolk

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/19778/simplyburns

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Answer 7

PeterFolk Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 6, 2012 11:21 AM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:

Don't use iTunes.

See this -> http://alternativeto.net/software/exact-audio-copy-/?platform=mac

I noticed what Limnos and you said: that the 1st item is Windows only and looked at the alternatives. Is there no way to do what I want (create an exact duplicate CD with no loss of audio quality) with iTunes?

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Answer 8

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Feb 6, 2012 11:51 AM in response to PeterFolk

PeterFolk wrote:
I noticed what Limnos and you said: that the 1st item is Windows only and looked at the alternatives. Is there no way to do what I want (create an exact duplicate CD

No.

with no loss of audio quality) with iTunes?

Yes.

Meaning you can create an audio CD with no loss but it won't be an exact duplicate. The music will be exact duplicate (bit for bit) but there may be slight difference such as the gap between songs, though you may not notice any difference.

See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2239

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Answer 9

PeterFolk Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 7, 2012 3:35 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:

Meaning you can create an audio CD with no loss but it won't be an exact duplicate. The music will be exact duplicate (bit for bit) but there may be slight difference such as the gap between songs, though you may not notice any difference.

See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2239

Thanks for this link. It put me on the right track. Some of the menus were different from mine which led me to notice this was from 2008, so I found the current equivalent:

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH1747

which helped me sort out the basic burning process. To solve the not exactly "exact duplicate" issue, I found this:

http://help.apple.com/itunes/mac/10.5.1/#itns1ec514b1

Checking “Part of a gapless album” did the trick. All tolled, there is no clipping at the ends of any tracks, the fades and interval between songs are as they are on the master and I've burned several copies that are just as I wanted them to be. I haven't pulled out a stopwatch, but, as you considered, I don't notice any difference. Thanks a lot!!

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Answer 10

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Feb 7, 2012 4:13 PM in response to PeterFolk

PeterFolk wrote:

Checking “Part of a gapless album” did the trick. All tolled, there is no clipping at the ends of any tracks, the fades and interval between songs are as they are on the master and I've burned several copies that are just as I wanted them to be. I haven't pulled out a stopwatch, but, as you considered, I don't notice any difference. Thanks a lot!!

I had briefly thought about that but was not sure if it would work correctly.

Glad you got it sorted!

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