What program should I use to convert a CDA file to MP3?

Solution 1:

I think Sound Juicer(Click To Install) is a good tool for conversions.

I use Banshee for my conversions from cd to Flac or Mp3. For Banshee go first to Edit-->preferences and change the folder and the output type and then from the main GUI you can push the button for conversion.

Of course you can use Gnome sound converter.

Solution 2:

I'm a geek. I enjoy torturing myself with the command line. I used to study the lame man page to find the best settings every time I ripped a new cd. Eventually I got tired of this and recorded my settings in a simple script. So after I rip a CD to a folder, I run this command to turn the lovely lossless FLAC files into ipod friendly MP3s:

#!/bin/bash
for file in *.flac
do
    $(flac -cd "$file" | \
    lame -b 128 -B 320 --replaygain-accurate -V 2 --vbr-new - \
    "${file%.flac}.mp3")
done

The key here is the lame command. Respectively, it:

• Ensures a minimum bitrate of 128
• Caps the bitrate at 320 (which is the max for mp3)
• Adds fancy ReplayGain analysis info to the file
• Use variable bitrate, quality level 2
• Use the "new" super fast variable bit rate algorithm

Then I tag my files with Picard which automagically adds tons of ID3 information from its extensive MusicBrainz database.