Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
This mostly standard audio utility simply converts files and rips CDs, but it works without a hitch. dBpowerAmp Music Converter has separate interfaces for extracting audio from discs and batch converting tunes. In our tests, the program showed good speed. It can even rip some protected audio CDs and includes a basic player.
It queries CD information from the Web and can automatically create subfolders and name tracks. To keep the download size small, it only includes MP3 (LAME) and WAV codecs, though you can easily download and install additional components from the publisher's site. Similar to other utilities in this genre, dBpowerAmp Music Converter lets you determine the audio quality of your new files, though it also offers an ample number of presets.
Also, unlike some competing programs, this demo will let you rip or transform as many files as you like for a full month. Most people who rip and convert audio files occasionally will find something to like about dBpowerAmp Music Converter, particularly novices.
dBpoweramp Music Converter:Publisher's Description
From Illustrate:
dBpoweramp Music Converter nicknamed the Swiss knife of audio: Digitally rip audio CDs (secure, fast, AccurateRip). Convert audio formats while preserving ID tags. Windows Integration: audio info tips and columns. DSP Effects. ID tag editing [Power Pack]. Practically every audio type is supported, including mp3, mp4, m4a, Windows Media Audio (WMA), OGG Vorbis, AAC, Monkey's Audio, and FLAC (from Codec Central).
Version 12 is Unicode and vista compatible. Also includes secure ripper that uniquely combines accurate ripping with speed. Partnered with All Media Guide (AMG) to provide premiere metadata. All codecs updated to latest versions, with support for Album art and ratings.
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 836 votes
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Current version:
2.8 starsout of 31 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-8 of 8
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"Disappointed"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
After what seems like (and may have indeed been) years of hearing good things about this, I finally decided to try it.
I can only say I was very disappointed. Of the seven formats I use, only MP3 was included in the package, the rest had to be downloaded as plug-ins---now, I DON'T take a point off for this, since I believe strongly in extensible software with minimal default features, but it makes no sense not to even include Ogg in the base package of a program like this.
Cons
Then I find they claim they must charge $14 for MP3 encoding beyond 30 days---even though they use LAME, which is free and open-source---there may be some valid legal reason for this, but I haven't the foggiest notion what that might be; I can think of many LAME-aware programs that are free. And no, I don't encode to MP3 often anymore, preferring other formats, but when I do, I use LAME, and it's free.
Finally, the size of the program when installed is absolutely unwieldy, at least in contrast to the converter/encoder I normally use, Multi-Frontend.
And it's Multi-Frontend I'll be sticking with, after having tried dBpowerAMP, which seems to me a pretty, but overrated program.
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"I think the program is fairly ugly and unclear about options"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
Does not support iTunes ? Plus, the fee now is $18 instead of $14 - AND the high-end Reference version does NOT include free lifetime upgrades. You pay $28 for the top of the line professional version and you only get "Free minor version upgrades"?
Cons
I have some mp3 files that my new thing won't
play. And? Compupic won't play one or more of
'um either.
I used both the batch converter and the music con-
verter to try to get info for a specific file that
played fine so's to get the DarningMySocks thing
to work.
Couldn't.
And so, big sigh, I used a default set of settings
that is in my mind but not in the batch converter
as a default and it did good--the 3 converts I've
checked seemed fine.
I'm rating this as a 1 because the dynamic rename
is greyed out, explorer-crashing, and things from that.
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"My PowerPack no longer works."
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
I paid $15.00 for the better version and now it does not work for R12.
Cons
Windows Explorer shell extension makes the Windows Explorer crash a lot in Windows Vista.
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"unstable!"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
its still a good program for a quick conversion from wav to mp3 or flac and ape files
Cons
since installing it again after a computer crash,i have NOT been able to reinstall the ogg vorbis codec nor will it allow me to.
its either the illustrate site which never has a solution or the stupid codec itself.its buggy!and thats sad cause it used to be number one for me!
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"As perfect as they come!"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
They don't call this the "Swiss Army Knife" of digital audio for nothing. This program can do practically anything necessary, from ripping to tagging to converting, and does it all with a small footprint, shell integration, and amazing accuracy. Plus, for full use, the $14 price tag is negligible--not only the most reasonable price I've seen recently, but full functionality without registration for most uses. This is, doubtless, the best audio shareware available.
Cons
The only thing I've found that this program CAN'T do is repair audio files. But it doesn't claim to do that, so it's not really a "con."
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"Why to pay for this bad program ?"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
I thought it would be good.
Cons
Crashes too often. Rendered my newly installed Windows Vista useless.
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"A Very Helpful Program"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
This is probably the best tool I have on my computer. It does the converts the file down to what the exact parameters it should be. Saves me a ton of searching for the desired file and bit rate size out there.
Cons
It keeps the same exact sound as what has been downloaded. I've noticed a few songs that still sound a bit crappy even after the conversion. But beyond that little flaw....it's one heck of a program to use.
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"dbpowramp R12 reference is better then EAC (exact audio copy)"
Version: dBpoweramp Music Converter 12
Pros
Following applies to Reference version (aka pro).
Hands down the best CD ripper available. Beats out the long time standard EAC. R12 is VERY fast and has the most accurate rips. It securely rips tracks that I have not been able to rip with any other program and does so without errors/pops/or clicks in the songs. The meta-data tagging with AMG metadata is the best set available (includes album covers). It is the new standard in ripping quality!
Cons
-pictures from AMG are to small
-would like to see plugin support
-musicbrainz support for backup/alternative meta-data
Results 1-8 of 8
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