How to convert CD's to audio files&make downloadable from site?

[cath120]

I would be grateful for any suggestions on the best way to convert CD's to audio files. The best format to use, then make them playable and downloadable from my website, which was constructed using HTML in Dreamweaver.

It is hosted using the 0$ package on Dot Easy.

Best regards

Catherine

[vinyl-junkie]

Before I would answer such a question, I have to ask: Do you own the copyright to the material you want to make available for download? If not, what you want to do is illegal and violates the TOS of your web hosting account.

[cath120]

Before I would answer such a question, I have to ask: Do you own the copyright to the material you want to make available for download? If not, what you want to do is illegal and violates the TOS of your web hosting account.

Hi there
My friend is the featured artist on the CD and has had permission from his record company to add downloads to the site I set up for him. So I would be grateful for any suggestions you could give me on the tech side.

[vinyl-junkie]

My friend is the featured artist on the CD and has had permission from his record company to add downloads to the site I set up for him.

Thanks for clarifying that. When you build your page(s), you might want to include a small paragraph to that effect so you can save yourself any hassles later on.

To make audio files from your CDs (also known as "ripping"), you need some software to do that. http://www.musicmatch.com/
Music Match Jukebox is a really nice one, in my opinon. I believe there is still a free version, as well as their premium version. Anyway, you'll want to rip your songs to MP3 format.

If you want to make those songs available strictly for download, just make plain old hyperlinks on your page with the path to each MP3 file.

As for making them playable on your website, you're getting way out of my area of expertise, as I have never done that myself. However, I've found a pretty good tutorial http://webdesign.about.com/od/streamingmedia/a/aa071000a.htm which tells you how to do that. It also includes instructions on how to rip the files, which I've already told you how to do. You can skip that and just read page 2 of the article.

If you run into any difficulties along the way, we'll be glad to give you a little more help with this.

[cath120]

Thank you very much vinyl, very kind of you to take the trouble.
Regards
Catherine

[cath120]

Hi Vinyl
The following was recommended to me for streaming from websites:
http://nunzioweb.com/streaming_audio-example.htm
regards
Catherine

[vinyl-junkie]

I'm glad to hear you were able to find a good tutorial. Good luck with the setup.

[cath120]

Hi Vinyl Junkie - have ripped a CD using CDEx, downloaded from http://www.br0wn.co.uk/ from the vinyl to MP3 page, so all set to start experimenting.
Regards
Catherine

[vinyl-junkie]

Great! If you need any more help, just let us know.