Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Ripping "Copy-controlled" CDs

I have a number of "Copy-controlled" Bluenote CDs. XLD will not rip them. They just come up with a million errors.

How does ControlMac deal with them? Is it worth trying that route to get something at least listenable?

Unfortunately the only ones I've checked for so far haven't been rereleased in uncastrated versions, so there is no other option.

Hello Nic,

Have you tried the CD ripper that comes with dBpoweramp?

Your post has prompted me to try ripping the only Copy Controlled CD that I have, which is Scooby Snacks: the collection, by the Fun Lovin' Criminals.

When I put the CD in my laptop, a window popped up saying that files needed to be installed to read the CD. I clicked no. I manually loaded dBpoweramp CD ripper and all the tracks from the CD loaded fine. Im ripping in secure mode as I type this.

The first track took 6 ultra secure passes and had to re rip 54 frames. It came up as an Insecure rip, but the resulting flacs sound good to me. Im also listening to the first two tracks whilst I type this.

In my haste I did not look at how scratched the CD was before I ripped it. So I dont know if the 6 passes and re ripped frames is due to Copy Control or scratches!!

But at least its ripping!!

Best regards

Frank

as far as I know, I do not own any Blue Note copy protected CD-like discs. I have successfully ripped a 5-set Australian 80's pop collection (complete Eighties) that was apparently copy controlled using dBpoweramp.

googling a bit, seems that these CD-like discs screw with the TOC and/or launch a program silently that messes with the ripping. dBpoweramp has an option that suppresses launch programs on CD-like discs.

I ended up with 2 secure rips out of 14 tracks. Ive had a look at the CD and I could not see any obvious scratches.

Best regards

Frank

Try the "burst" mode or "defective by design". Am not at home to confirm exactly what it is called.

Even if it seems to rip OK, do check when you listen for nasty cracks and pops.

I used to use this on my previous (Windows) laptop. It disables the copy protection and lets other software work as before. A bit like DVD Anywhere for removing the encryption on DVDs.

Alchohol 120%

There is a 15 day trial, so you can at least try and see if it works for you.

Cheers
Greg

Hi, I have an odd one. James Taylor Best of CD, it ripped ok but the sound is very scratchy like being covered in white noise. When I first heard it I thought my system had gone pop. All other CD rips are ok.
Is this another type of copy protection?
Advice please, Chris

Yes...probably a copy protection. Just put CD's like this to one side. Best to deal with them all in one go.

Cheers

I'm not a James Taylor fan either...

I will come back to them. Have a Jools Holland that is the same. Thanks for that. Chris

On a Mac I would use Pillage, which is a frontend to cdparanoia. On my devbox which runs Ubuntu I use Grip which again is a cdparanoia frontend.
I have a few copy-protected CDs, Moby's Hotel being an example (I'm a sucker for music from adverts ) IIRC and cdparanoia just rips them without fuss.

A little OT but DTS CD's Rip and play great on Sooloos. Bonnie Rait Roadtested as I type. Only problem, I haven't got the disc cover to check I spelt her name correctly. There is irony. Lol Chris