EZ CD Audio Converter Review

Audio rippers and converters come to our aid when we want to back up favorite songs and turn them into other formats compatible with our player of choice. EZ CD Audio Converter is such an app.

This program enables users to rip tracks from audio CDs and transform them into many different files types. It also features a converter for local files as well as a disc burner to prepare media for playback on CDs and DVDs. The program integrates standard and advanced options to meet the requirements of all users.

The installation procedure is pretty fast. The trial version runs for 30 days and does not restrict any features. At the end of this period, users may purchase the full package for $39.00 / €29.00.

Its interface may seem cluttered at a first glance, but it's actually fairly easy to navigate. It is divided into three main areas for ripping audio CDs, converting tracks and burning discs, respectively.

Audio CD Ripper

Once a CD has been inserted into the tray, EZ CD Audio Converter immediately scans its contents and loads a list with all audio tracks, showing the artist, title, composer, start time and length for each item. If the computer implements multiple CD/DVD drives, it is possible to pick a preferred one. Clicking a track reveals additional metadata pertaining to the track number, genre, disc number, publisher, comment, copyright, encoder and URL.

Showing the context menu in EZ CD Audio Converter

Rip audio tracks easily and edit metadataAny of these fields may be edited, while users have the possibility to give ratings and input lyrics. If metadata does not exist, it can be automatically obtained from a few popular websites. Several editing tools are available when it comes to tag editing, such as converting text to uppercase or lowercase, or swapping the artist and title. Disc info can be copied to the Clipboard.

Audio files may be loaded into a built-in player. When it comes to the output format, EZ CD Audio Converter supports a wide array of popular file types, namely .aac, .aiff (PCM), .ape (Monkey's Audio), .flac (Free Lossless Audio Codec), .m4a (AAC or Apple Lossless), m4b (AAC), .mp3 (MPEG Layer-3), .mpc (Musepack), .ogg (Vorbis), .opus, .wav (MPEG Layer-3, PCM and Windows ACM), .wma (Windows Media Audio) and .wv (WavPack). Apart from applying default settings, it is possible to customize them regarding the bit rate (constant or variable), quality, channel mode, lowpass, highpass, and other attributes.

Showing the advanced format properties in EZ CD Audio Converter

Showing a ripping job example in EZ CD Audio Converter

Configure advanced format properties and start rippingThe whole length of the audio tracks can be converted, or they can be cut into smaller bits. In addition, it is possible to create M3U playlists, calculate ReplayGain metadata and normalize the volume level across all tracks, as well as to enable fade in and out effects. The tool is also able to add or delete silence from the beginning and end, as well as to save a ripping log.

During the ripping operation, you can check out various statistics concerning the ripping speed, elapsed and remaining time for the total job and each file, along with CRC hashes, among others.

Audio Converter and Disc Burner

The audio conversion module features the same output settings previously described, together with the metadata editing and downloading options. It implements its own file browser to allow users to easily navigate disk directories and select files and folders for conversion, along with filters (by fie type). Batch processing is supported, which means that multiple audio tracks can be encoded at once. Worth mentioning is an option for specifying a naming pattern with metadata for the output files, which comes in handy if you want to put together a music collection, for instance.

Showing the audio converter module in EZ CD Audio Converter

Showing the disc burner in EZ CD Audio Converter

Convert audio tracks and burn them to discAs far as the Disc Burner is concerned, users may create an audio CD, MP3 or data disc. It is only necessary to drop the files and folders in the main frame, as well as select the burning drive and speed. The volume may be normalized by resorting to the album gain or by specifying the exact decibels, while a gap can be inserted between the tracks to tell them apart easier. A function for erasing rewritable discs is implemented as well. In addition, the track list can be saved and used at a later time.

Program configuration

By default, the app integrates a context menu entry in the Windows Explorer shell for quick conversion, metadata editing, and disc burning (data disc or audio CD), but it can be disabled. The sound that plays on task completion may also be deactivated, along with tag writing. The disc can be immediately ejected after burning, while drive settings can be configured in terms of default drive, accurate CDDA reading mode, audio and data verification, and so on.

The Good

The app offers support for multiple languages and worked smoothly on 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro during our evaluation. Compatibility extends to older operating systems (until Windows XP) and both 32-bit and 64-bit architecture types. Help documentation is available for less experienced users.

Shell extension integration is optional.

Some of the noteworthy features include extensive file type support, customizable audio parameters, the ability to edit metadata and change file names by taking it into account, playlist creation, volume normalization across all tracks, silence removal or addition, as well as the creation of log file with program activity.

Audio tracks are ripped and converted fast, while CPU and RAM consumption remains low.

The Bad

Some of the settings are advanced, so less experienced users may take a while to get accustomed to them.

The interface could use a little work to become more organized.

The tool crashed a couple of times while we were modifying settings.

The Truth

To sum it up, EZ CD Audio Converter proves to be reliable when it comes to ripping, converting and burning audio tracks. Those who are not convinced to purchase the full version may switch to its free edition with less features, namely EZ CD Audio Converter Free.

NOTE: You can also read our previous review for EZ CD-DA Extractor 1.0.