Ape single file to multiple mp3 files

[antonedp]

Looking for a free program that can rip Ape music cd file to mp3 files

[Bob]

Hi Antonedp -

I'm not sure I've understood your question correctly. Do you mean *convert* to mp3 - and split into multiple tracks - a single ape file (previously ripped from a CD)?

If so, you can do this with CD Wave Editor, which is reviewed here.

Basically, you can load the ape file into CD Wave Editor, which will then automatically decompress it and read/play it as wav. You can then split the file (either manually or using automatic settings) into separate tracks. Finally, CD Wave Editor will convert and save the new files as mp3. The interface is quite intuitive and the brief Help file is clearly written.

CD Wave is donationware, in that the developer requests (and expects) a donation, but lets you use the program anyway.

[antonedp]

Thanks Bob for the reply.I just tried CD Wave Editor. Did the job i needed,although it took a little more time than expected.Never the less i was able to do what was needed to be done with the APE music file. Anyone else out there with another free program to rip a single APE music file (containing a cd or lp all in one file)to convert into mp3 tracks

[MidnightCowboy]

Am I missing something here about CD Wave Editor? Doesn't seem like very freeware to me. Either you're free to donate or it's commercial?

"If you have not registered the product yet, you're allowed to use it for a trial period of one month (31 days). During this period, you may use it in the same way as you are allowed to when you've registered"

[Bob]

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...t_and_join_wavIn effect, the conditions of use are rather unusual . The developer underlines that the program is *shareware*, so my rapid-reply mode use of *donationware* was probably technically incorrect - my apologies!

Nevertheless, the developer does not in pracctice enforce payment, although he makes it clear he expects it [link]:

In short, there is no special registered version, registering it just removes the "Unregistered" notice from the title bar and gives you a slightly different 'about' box.

So the result is a clear conscience. I decided against putting effort into a copy-protection scheme that would be defeated anyway. I dislike software with disabled features too. I feel that people that don't pay for this version wouldn't pay anyway.

I tried to summarize this position when recommending CD Wave Editor in the Best Free Audio Cutter article here:

Although CD Wave Editor is technically shareware rather than freeware (the developer requests $15 if you decide to keep the program after a month), the evaluation version doesn't actually expire and has no practical restrictions.

Perhaps I should do a little editing

[Jojo Yee]

Maybe *practically* freeware.

[Anupam]

This is kind of an ethicalware. If you decide to respect the maker's decision, then it is shareware, because if you decide to keep it for more than one month, you should pay. I would consider it as shareware, even if the program does not restrict you after a month.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by antonedp

Thanks Bob for the reply.I just tried CD Wave Editor. Did the job i needed,although it took a little more time than expected.Never the less i was able to do what was needed to be done with the APE music file. Anyone else out there with another free program to rip a single APE music file (containing a cd or lp all in one file)to convert into mp3 tracks

You're welcome, Antonedp.

Yes, CD Wave Editor does take time to load files into RAM. However, once loaded, it'll do a lot for you. Indeed, it's the only *practically* free software I know of that will do everything you're looking for within a single program.

If anyone knows of an efficient freeware alternative for cutting ape (or flac) files and saving to mp3 without any quality loss, I agree that would be very interesting.

In the meantime, I can say I've been really happy using CD Wave Editor on my home computeer (one that has no lack of memory). So happy in fact that I'll willingly send the developer his $15 soon.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Anupam

This is kind of an ethicalware. If you decide to respect the maker's decision, then it is shareware, because if you decide to keep it for more than one month, you should pay. I would consider it as shareware, even if the program does not restrict you after a month.

On ethical grounds, I felt that the recommendation provides the developer with good publicity while faithfully reporting his conditions.

In practice, a win-win situation : good publicity for the developer, coupled with a quality, practically *free* software recommendation.

[Editor's note: This ethical question is currently under house review]