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+--- Thread: Linux- Music CD Playback Ripping etc (/showthread.php?tid=28)
Linux- Music CD Playback Ripping etc - Ed Carson - 05-17-2025
I am curious as to how many people are into this hobby of collecting/archiving/storing/streaming and playing back and using our old music collections in lieu of using a streaming service etc.
I grew up in an era where it was common to have an 8-track, record (lp), record 12" single, cassette, CD, and minidisc. Now we can have access to our own music 24/7, without the use of a continuing paid streaming service.
I started this endeavor many years ago when I was able to convert my music into an MP3 format and store it on a hard drive when it became less cost prohibitive. Fast forward to the present, and long story short , we now have access to perfect copies of our music and technology now allows us to create our own music streaming server using linux (and windows too). If anybody is interested, I can go through the hoops on how to do this on linux. I now use a lossless format and have spent many hours re-ripping all my media. But I now have access to all my music without subscribing to spotify etc. I also can use a USB stick or USB hardrive to listen to my music in the car.
For those who can't wait for the how-to:
Asunder (for the cd-ripping)
MusicBrainz Picard for the file renaming/artwork/and metadata information
Sound Converter for switching back and forth from the lossless format to MP3's (if necessary)
optional Lyrion Music Server
optional Lyrion Music Hardware compatible playback devices
Optional Plex media server
optional Plexamp on your phone and devices
All the optional services above have a number of alternatives too.
RE: Linux- Music CD Playback Ripping etc - Steve - 06-17-2025
I've contemplated ripping my CD collection and storing on my home NAS unit but haven't taken the plunge except to create a USB drive to play in my vehicle, which unfortunately only supports the MP3 format. I used fre:ac* to rip CDs with the highest MP3 setting, but it still loses something in the translation. Are you using FLAC for lossless audio? I would if that was an option in my vehicle. At home I would likely use Kodi (formerly XBMC) as a media server which I have played around with a bit but not implemented as a full setup. It supports most formats as well as streaming so it should not be a problem using FLAC. I used EasyTAG for metadata editing.
Thanks for sharing. It would be great if you could give us a demo sometime!
* I used the AppImage version of fre:ac with the --disable-wine startup option or it tries to install some Windows module running under wine, which I didn't need.
RE: Linux- Music CD Playback Ripping etc - TPettenati - 11-16-2025
I'm also building a digital music library.
FRE:AC - to rip CDs to FLAC
Audacity - to rip Vinyl or Tape. Sample workflow for LP digitization
MusicBrainz Picard - to tag audio files with correct artist information and album artwork.
Note: all of the apps listed above are available on Linux.
Synology NAS - to store the library
Raspberry Pi 4B with HiFiBerry DAC running LibreELEC - connected to my main stereo for playback
Would be happy to answer any questions about this setup,
Tim
RE: Linux- Music CD Playback Ripping etc - Ed Carson - 01-20-2026
(06-17-2025, 08:03 PM)Steve Wrote: I've contemplated ripping my CD collection and storing on my home NAS unit but haven't taken the plunge except to create a USB drive to play in my vehicle, which unfortunately only supports the MP3 format. I used fre:ac* to rip CDs with the highest MP3 setting, but it still loses something in the translation. Are you using FLAC for lossless audio? I would if that was an option in my vehicle. At home I would likely use Kodi (formerly XBMC) as a media server which I have played around with a bit but not implemented as a full setup. It supports most formats as well as streaming so it should not be a problem using FLAC. I used EasyTAG for metadata editing.
Thanks for sharing. It would be great if you could give us a demo sometime!
* I used the AppImage version of fre:ac with the --disable-wine startup option or it tries to install some Windows module running under wine, which I didn't need.
Thanks Steve. Yes, I can do a demo on audio stuff. I dind't know about Fre:AC so thanks all for the link.
Yes, I have now stored all my CD's in FLAC lossless, so theoretically I do not have to do this project again (this is probably my 3rd time doing it). It's what is stored on my NAS and I can access it with my lyrion music server, and/or PlexAmp setup (which handles the down conversion to whatever standard is supported by the player). Steve, in your case, maybe It's worthwhile to upgrade your car stereo and connect your android/iphone to an android auto or carplay, head unit. If not, I also have a car that has an older car stereo that only supports mp3, so in that case, I just transcode what songs I want to listen too on MP3, and just use that via USB.
(11-16-2025, 10:26 AM)TPettenati Wrote: I'm also building a digital music library.
FRE:AC - to rip CDs to FLAC
Audacity - to rip Vinyl or Tape. Sample workflow for LP digitization
MusicBrainz Picard - to tag audio files with correct artist information and album artwork.
Note: all of the apps listed above are available on Linux.
Synology NAS - to store the library
Raspberry Pi 4B with HiFiBerry DAC running LibreELEC - connected to my main stereo for playback
Would be happy to answer any questions about this setup,
Tim
That is a nice setup. I am jealous of your HiFiBerry DAC. At some point, I need to do a Pi DAC once my squeezebox players die.