I think I may have found something that will help me in my quest to create duplicate audio CDs for use in my car. There are a lot of detailed instructions for three methods that will possibly work, and I plan to give it another shot Real Soon Now. In the meantime, I'll post the link here, in case anyone else is interested.

    WetGeek I think I may have found something that will help me in my quest to create duplicate audio CDs for use in my car.

    Indeed! I followed the first set of instructions (quite simple) for ripping with Asunder, and the results look great. Here's a bit of the listing in Dolphin:

    I selected mp3 as the output, at a bitrate of 320 bits per second, and Asunder automatically included a set of lossy, but small, ogg files. Now that they're stored correctly, with the right album name and everything, it will be no challenge to burn them to a CD-R using k3b.

    A bit later:

    I can report total success, so far. When I burned the CD-R, k3b only allowed me to select the .ogg files from that stash on the remote share, but for use in my car, ultimate sound quality isn't needed. I'm just hoping that the car stereo will be happy with .ogg files. Now that I know the process is easy, and it works well, I can make whatever changes are needed to insure that the results work in my car.

    And still still later:

    It's 35 degrees outside currently, but I could't wait. I ran out to the car (still in my pajamas) and tried the CD I'd just created. My car stereo was just fine with the .ogg files. And the sound was great. I might not have even gotten those .mp3 files to fit on a CD, given their sizes, so I guess k3b knew what it was doing better than I did.

      WetGeek I guess k3b knew what it was doing better than I did.

      Actually, it didn't. In the encoding options, .ogg had been selected as the default. The first time I tried this, I selected .mp3, but in my haste I'd forgotten to unselect .ogg. So both formats were produced, as in the image above.

      If you want to try this method, there's a little k3b gotcha you need to know about. For my second attempt, I selected the files to write using k3b, and it balked, telling me that remote shares are not supported. Then I remembered that the first time, I'd selected the tracks in Dolphin, right-clicked, and selected Create an audio CD in k3b from the context menu. For some reason, that works where selecting the files from k3b itself doesn't work. Go figure!

        WetGeek the thing with these specific rip/burn applications is the learning curve and ibuprofen. Wonder if a search i snap or flatpak would find a better tool?

          brent the thing with these specific rip/burn applications is the learning curve and ibuprofen.

          Actually, I'd encourage you to give it a try, if you need to copy some audio CDs. It's really not complicated. I boils down to just two steps:

          (1) Rip the files to a hard drive using Asunder (in the repository)
          (2) Burn those files to a blank CD-R using k3b

          If you decide to try it, and have any questions, just ask. I've completed about 15 CDs now.

            Always good see something work for someone man last time I ripped any audio cd been 10 years ago..lol
            Software changes so much in that time frame..lol Learned something to didnt know they would play .ogg

              Axios I have about forty cherished CD's that I haven't heard in years that I'd like to convert to digital but it's always a headache and youtube is freeπŸ™‚
              WetGeek I installed Asunder in Budgie and will see if Rythmbox or other is up for the challenge. Knowing there is such an animal as Asunder give me incentive. Graci--

              WetGeek I'm using Asunder for the first time. Are you ripping at the default .ogg file? Is that where the quality is? It's a slow beast. But I'd like to finally transfer them all to digital storage til Koto comes out.

                brent Are you ripping at the default .ogg file?

                I used the .ogg default, because my intention this time was to create music to use in my car. Audiophile quality isn't needed when road noise is involved to any extent. And the player in my car has no problem with .ogg files.

                If you're ripping in order to store high-quality music on a home system, you'll want to check the options, and select a choice that uses a higher bitrate. The higher you go, the bigger the storage requirements. So some part of the decision must be based on how much free storage you have in your system.

                EDIT: As you check out the available options, look for the word "lossless."

                  I store stuff in flac lossless its compressed so size is smaller plus you can down convert from it to mp3 or what ever you want because its basic copy of your cd. when I do flac I store the (cue metadata file which describes how the tracks of a CD or DVD are laid out) and (m3u playlist) files to so I have all the info. Then I can do with it what ever I want dont need cd anymore.
                  FLAC (hi-res): This lossless compression format supports hi-res sample rates, takes up about half the space of WAV, and stores metadata. It's royalty-free and is considered the preferred format for downloading and storing hi-res albums. The downside is, it’s not supported by Apple (so not compatible with iTunes).

                  OGG (not hi-res): Sometimes called by its full name, Ogg Vorbis. A lossy, open-source alternative to MP3 and AAC, unrestricted by patents. The file format used (at 320kbps) in Spotify streaming.

                  MP3 (not hi-res): Popular, lossy compressed format ensures small file size, but far from the best sound quality. Convenient for storing music on smartphones and iPods.
                  (just info)

                    Axios That helps a lot to for this project, I really appreciate it. I needed a primer. That gives me some good ideas.
                    Thank you both. There's also a "Monkey" setting as a rip choice...πŸ™‚

                    Axios when I do flac I store the (cue metadata file which describes how the tracks of a CD or DVD are laid out) and (m3u playlist) files to so I have all the info. Then I can do with it what ever I want dont need cd anymore.

                    What tools do you use for ripping and tagging + adding the album cover art?

                    I use fre:ac myself for ripping it works on Linux you can configure it all ways may be to heavy for some but easy once you understand it and always actively updated. I use mp3tag in windows havent looked for a linux one yet. But prob Musicbrainz picard would be my choice you can get it flatpak or snap not sure if in repo.

                      Axios Musicbrainz picard

                      I have it installed from Solus SC. I have never tried CD ripping and now I don't have CD drive so I can't test it πŸ™‚

                        Solarmass now I don't have CD drive

                        External ones are very inexpensive these days. The best seller on Amazon is $23 USD. If you have a collection to be preserved, that's not a lot to pay.

                          WetGeek My CD collection is rather small and I already have the digital versions πŸ™‚