How to import CD files in Reaper

[ycut]

I cannot import tunes in Reaper from a CD.

I tried the import methods described in the Reaper User Guide (v5.985 p75) and the standard "insert media file" menu, with no success.

The "media item" zone of the new track remains empty or showing "offline"

I also tried changing the rate to 44100/16bits and "force wav" in my project settings.

What am I doing wrong ? I guess someting is not set in my préférences ?

Thank you for your help

Yves

[pepe44]

i never did this, dont use cd´s since 2005 maybe eheh!
Did you try the File menu , batch file / item converter ?

[xpander]

Originally Posted by ycut

I tried the import methods described in the Reaper User Guide (v5.985 p75) and the standard "insert media file" menu, with no success.

Have you tried the actual instructions for the CD audio media, page 82 (UserGuide 5.985)?

[ycut]

Yes I did try the method of p82
If somebody else could try it too and tell me if it works for him ?

[Strange Ways]

Originally Posted by ycut

Yes I did try the method of p82
If somebody else could try it too and tell me if it works for him ?

I tried it right now, and it works for me. I right-clicked and selected "insert into project on a new track", and viloa!

[ycut]

Thank you for your answers.

I Wonder what is wrong in my setup …

My PC is Windows 10, last update, and everything else is working as per the user guide in Reaper.

[WyattRice]

Hi.
From the main menu, insert, media, then you select the cd drive that has the audio cd. Then select the .cda files from the cd.
Here's an animated gif demo.
https://stash.reaper.fm/37525/rip_cd.gif

Edit:
You should save your reaper project file first, that way the audio files imports to the same directory as the project file (this is default), or set that up in your project settings.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Wyatt

[ycut]

Thanks for your time and help, Wyatt.

I already tried your method: I do not get the "copying" window, and the track shows "offline" in the "media zone" of the track.

I also tried the drag and drop method: I get "Reaper error, could not import 1 of 1 items!"

Maybe something wrong with my CD reader ? (it does play the music OK) Will try another one and see …

Thanks and regards
Yves

[WolfJames]

Is it a commercial audio CD? Or one you burned yourself? Just as a test, can you rip the track to an MP3 or FLAC?

[ycut]

Originally Posted by WolfJames

Is it a commercial audio CD? Or one you burned yourself? Just as a test, can you rip the track to an MP3 or FLAC?

Yes I tried several commercial CDs, and can get WMA files, which is a compressed format.
I can then import these files in Reaper, but I wish I could import directly the original WAV files for better sound quality

[MrMoto]

Originally Posted by ycut

Yes I tried several commercial CDs, and can get WMA files, which is a compressed format.
I can then import these files in Reaper, but I wish I could import directly the original WAV files for better sound quality

I realize that what I am going to say, means an extra step, but I am using the "Exact Audio Copy" software for years now, to get almost identical rips of CDs. It can save to many different formats and of course also to .WAV.

In case you're interested: http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

[citizenkeith]

On Windows, I use foobar2000 to convert CD audio to WAV. If you want to use software that will insure 100% perfect rips, use Exact Audio Copy and google directions for setting it up.



On Mac, I use XLD, and again you can Google instructions for 100% perfect rips.


In the past, I had problems using Reaper for ripping audio from CDs, so I decided to just use other tools that did the job better than Reaper.

[ycut]

Thanks for the tip "Exact audio copy": it works fine and Reaper can import the created WAV files

But I still Wonder why DIRECT import from Reaper does not work for me if it works for other people.

I must have a wrongly set parameter somewhere … :-((

Regards
Yves

[WyattRice]

Are you on Windows or Mac?

It might be a setting.

Try a portable install of Reaper, and try again.
I've never had any problems with it, on Windows or Mac.
It's always worked.

[ycut]

Originally Posted by WyattRice

Are you on Windows or Mac?

Windows 10 32 bits on one PC, 64 bits on another.
Same problem on both.


Thanks and regards
Yves

[DVDdoug]

but I wish I could import directly the original WAV files for better sound quality

This won't help solve your problem but FYI- Regular audio CDs don't contain WAV files or any normal "computer files". That's why you need a special ripping application and you can't simply copy the files to your hard drive.*


But the audio data is PCM which is the same as the data in a WAV file (at 16-bits, 44.1kHz, 2-channels).


So, you can losslessly rip to WAV (or FLAC).


Audio CDs are less immune to errors than WAV (or other computer files) burned onto a disc and if you're paranoid you might want to use a ripper that supports AccurateRip.






* DVDs & Blu-Rays do contain regular computer files, but commercial DVDs are copy protected so again, you can't simply copy the files to your hard drive.

[ycut]

Thanks for the information on PCM/WAV formats...good to know.

I just bought a brand new CD/DVD reader/writer, just in case: no joy :-((

Included is a screen shot of what I get after trying to import a CD file and clicking on "Source information".


Could it be that cda files do not have the same header standard in US and in Europe ?


Regards
Yves