Hard drive file management?

EAC can set up your file structure automatically.
Under EAC Options go to Filename tab. there are codes explained for structuring your filename and directory/sub-directories based on the tag categories.

For example, I use CD Artist\CD Title\filename
Filename is Track Number. Track Title
The codes is: %D\%C\%N. %T
It is explained right on the page where you enter it. IMO quite easy to do.

I use two programs you may want to look into.
1. For ripping/converting I use dbpoweramp CDripper (it comes with the dbpoweramp suite) does the same quality work as EAC and also has accuraterip and can do lookups to ensure you get an accurate rip. It supports FLAC, wav, etc. and can harness multiple core/processor machines which is what I like. It also can rip your CD's to a dynamically generated file structure that you can define (like "mymusic/ /album/") -- pretty nice. I think MediaMonkey can also do that.
2. For file management/tagging, etc. I use Tag&Rename. It can look up albums through CDDB or even Amazon and import artwork, rename files, etc. It's a pretty good application.

I don't work for any of these companies and have no financial gain by recommending them... I just like them enough to recommend you look into them that's all.

Some programs such as JRiver has option to reorganize the files automatically based on artist and album title. No need to manually shuffle the directories.

With a large number of CDs, it might be better to go with a CD ripping service. Google 'CD ripping service' and you'll get lots of options and reviews. It's usually about $1 per CD (usually goes down with volume), but you can save a lot of time and wear and tear on your computer's CD drive. You get a choice of formats, and some of the services will manually enter metadata and artwork for CDs that aren't in the database.

only has to be done once... if you back up along the way. Don't wait till the jobs done.

and I'm interested in finding out how many ROM drives you go thru ripping nearly 700 CDs. I burned up two... or wore 'em out enough I didn't want to use them any more. lol

Everything matters, and it all adds up in the end.

Take your time, it's not a race. Hurrying probably cost me an extra ROM drive.... maybe. Sony's worked best for me. I bought an LG and it died about six months or so on, and LG replaced it. It's died again. LG won't replace it again, as they go from the orig unit's purchase date... not the replacement units sent date. So no mo LG for me.

Thanks to all for the replies. I have gone through a couple of the tutorials and I think I now have a better understanding. I was expecting a little more from EAC than there is--maybe more along the lines of what Sgs is getting from Dbpoweramp. I am now creating artist and album folders and aside from a little more work than I expected all is OK. I have about 650 CDs to rip, and was hoping for a lazier solution but this is fine. It only has to be done once, after all.

Bill

Dbpoweramp is a way better program than each.. spend the $35.00 you'll be very pleased.

I use http://www.dbpoweramp.com/ I have a script
[artist]\[artist] - [album]\[track]. [title]
that creates a Artist folder if there isn't one already and then creates a sub folder with name of album. It also checks your rip against others to make sure it is acurate. I use Logitec's Slim Server to then replay.

Lostbears is correct.

you'll have to go back and address the way EAC is storing or issuing the database, folder and file paths it outputs.

It's a bit confusing but there are options listed online in EAC forums and tutorials. Google for EAC info, tutorials, actually I've posted links to some here on the 'gon, already.

here's another:

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52398

there are a few topics listed in this forum near the top of the page which should answer your concerns.

The way I use EAC is to output to genres right onto the C drive. Thereafter I copy and paste them into a NAS drive all my machines can see, and backup those by copying and pasting them into a USB drive I use for back up only. It's an identical folder tree as the NAS drive. Then I unplug the USB drive until it's time to back up again.

I also maintain my music by Artist > album for my active music library.

EAC will set what ID tag info you select. track #, file name, genre, date, etc.

it'sd not to hard to change how EAC outputs files, just look around a bit more if the above link doesn't help..

Good luck.

You can specify a location with EAC. I arrange my files by artist then album. So I create an artist folder, then individual album folders inside the artist folder. I always rip my discs using the test & copy modein EAC. EAC will give you a proper rip that will match in the accurip database. Most other programs don't rip bit perfect.

I haven't used EAC, but from what I've heard it's mostly just a no-frills CD ripping program that may not do much from a file management perspective. Most ripping software have the ability for the user to select the destination folder.

You will likely need to organize your files using folders (directories) in a logical fashion. For instance, U2's Joshua Tree album might go into the following directory:

/music_files/rock/U2/joshua_tree

Things get much more complicated when dealing with a compilation classical album.

The other option is to use a program like iTunes that has the option to automatically manage your files. The downside to this is that iTunes' file management scheme is not really human-understandable, but it is certainly usable by iTunes and any user using iTunes.

Another option is to use Media Monkey which will organize the ripped files for you in a logical fashion (you get to choose the exact implementation).

Michael