Exact Audio Copy

Exact Audio Copy is a so-called free audio grabber for audio CDs using standard CD and DVD-ROM drives. The main differences between EAC and most other audio grabbers are: It is free (for non-commercial purposes). It works with a technology, which reads audio CDs almost perfectly. If there are any errors that can’t be corrected, it will tell you at which time position the (possible) distortion occurred, so you could easily control it with e.g. the media player. Amazing free CD ripper, mp3 encoder, and audio recorder for Windows PC!



Exact Audio Copy (EAC) is a renowned digital audio extraction software developed by Andre Wiethoff. Launched in the late 1990s, EAC has stood the test of time as a premier tool for ripping audio CDs with unparalleled accuracy. It's specifically designed to ensure precise and high-fidelity extraction of audio tracks from CDs, aiming to reproduce the original audio content faithfully.

With other audio grabbers, you usually need to listen to every grabbed wave because they only do jitter correction. Scratched CDs read on CD-ROM drives often produce distortions. But listening to every extracted audio track is a waste of time. Exact Audio Copy for PC conquers these problems by making use of several technologies like multi-reading with verify and AccurateRip.

Highlights

• All kinds of CD and DVD drives are supported (including USB, Firewire, SATA, and SCSI drives).
• A secure, fast, and burst extraction method selectable. Fast extraction should run at the same speed as other grabbers with jitter correction but is probably not exact anymore. Burst mode just grabs the audio data without any synchronization.
• EAC is able to copy ranges of music data, not only tracks.
• Volume normalization of extracted audio to a given percentage.
• Compression offset support for exact compression/decompression.
• Automatic creation of CUE sheets for Burnnn, Feurio, Nero, or even EAC, which can include all gaps, indicies, track attributes, UPC and ISRC, and also CD-Text for an exact copy.
• Synchronizing between tracks for non-accurate stream drives.
• Record and loop record functions for recording from LP, radio, etc.
• Catalog extraction function (e.g. first 20 seconds of a track).
• CD-Write support for some drives (internally and using CDRDAO).
• Small WAV editor with the following functionality: delete, trim, normalize, pad, glitch removal, pop detection, interpolation of ranges, noise reduction, fade in/out, undo (and much more).

Features

• Accurate Audio Ripping: It employs advanced error detection and correction algorithms to extract audio tracks from CDs with utmost precision.
• Secure Mode: This feature performs multiple read passes to verify and correct any errors encountered during the ripping process, ensuring a flawless extraction.
• Metadata Retrieval: It automatically fetches metadata such as track titles, artist names, and album information from online databases like Freedb and CDDB.
• Compression Options: Users can choose from various audio formats and encoding options, including WAV, FLAC, MP3, and more, catering to different preferences and requirements.
• Cue Sheet Support: It supports cue sheets, allowing users to preserve the original CD structure and track information when ripping audio.

Installation and Setup

Installing this tool is a straightforward process. Users can download the software from the official website or reputable software repositories (like FileHorse.com). The installation wizard guides users through the setup process, allowing them to customize installation options according to their preferences.

How to Use

• Launch the app.
• Insert the audio CD you wish to rip into your CD/DVD drive.
• It automatically detects the inserted disc and retrieves relevant metadata.
• Choose your preferred extraction method (e.g., Secure Mode).
• Select output format and encoding options.
• Click on the "Extract" button to initiate the ripping process.
• Once the extraction is complete, the ripped audio tracks are saved to the specified destination folder.

FAQ

Does Exact Audio Copy support batch processing?
Yes, it allows users to rip multiple CDs consecutively by queuing them in the extraction list.

Can I customize the naming format for ripped audio files?
Absolutely, users have full control over the naming convention of extracted audio files, including track numbers, titles, and artist names.

Does EAC tool support CD-Text extraction?
Yes, it can extract CD-Text information if it's available on the source CD.

Can I use Exact Audio Copy to create audio compilations from multiple CDs?
Certainly, it supports the creation of audio compilations by combining tracks from different CDs using cue sheets.

System Requirements

The tool is compatible with Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11. The software has modest system requirements and can run smoothly on most modern PCs.

PROS

• Unmatched accuracy in audio extraction
• Secure mode for error-free ripping
• Wide range of supported audio formats
• Lightweight and free of charge
• Regular updates and ongoing development

CONS

• This product is not developed actively anymore
• Outdated user interface
• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Limited to Windows platform