# Good free prog to convert music files? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 16, 2006, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855 "2006-04-16T04:36:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/1 "2006-04-16T04:36:03Z")
I used to use dbPowerAmp to convert music files, it integrated nicely with Windows explorer so I could just right-click a file or group of music files, and, for example, re-encode them from 192kb mp3s to mp3s of another bit rate, or another music file format altogether. Unfortunately, dbPowerAmp now wants money for its MP3 codec. What’s a good free program to use to re-encode mp3 files at a different bitrate, or convert to different formats altogether? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/2 "2006-04-16T05:34:32Z")
I think [CDex](http://www.download.com/CDex/3000-2140-10226370.html) is one of the best ones out there. Like dbPowerAmp, it uses the excellent LAME mp3 encoder, and will also convert to .ogg format. It integrates with online music databases, allowing you to look up your CDs, and does batch ripping without a problem. The link above is a secondary download site. The main website for CDex is [here](http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/), but i’ve had trouble connecting to this website tonight; it seems their server might be temporarily unavailable. If you can’t get it, and want a copy, email me and i can send it to you. It’s free software, so that shouldn’t present any problems. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/3 "2006-04-16T05:36:55Z")
I have the last version of dBPowerAmp before they went pay, if you’d like to e-mail me. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/4 "2006-04-16T12:30:06Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I think [CDex](http://www.download.com/CDex/3000-2140-10226370.html) is one of the best ones out there. > > Like dbPowerAmp, it uses the excellent LAME mp3 encoder, and will also convert to .ogg format. It integrates with online music databases, allowing you to look up your CDs, and does batch ripping without a problem. > > The link above is a secondary download site. The main website for CDex is [here](http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/), but i’ve had trouble connecting to this website tonight; it seems their server might be temporarily unavailable. > > If you can’t get it, and want a copy, email me and i can send it to you. It’s free software, so that shouldn’t present any problems. That’s actually what I’m already using to rip CDs, but can it convert music files that are already ripped? That’s what I’m looking for, if I didn’t make that clear in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/5 "2006-04-16T12:31:31Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > I have the last version of dBPowerAmp before they went pay, if you’d like to e-mail me. If you can just tell what the version number is, that would likely be adequate. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/6 "2006-04-16T14:23:04Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > If you can just tell what the version number is, that would likely be adequate. Thanks! Look for dmc\_r10. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/7 "2006-04-16T15:22:42Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > That’s actually what I’m already using to rip CDs, but can it convert music files that are already ripped? That’s what I’m looking for, if I didn’t make that clear in the OP. Yes, it can do that no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-free-prog-to-convert-music-files/352855/8 "2006-04-16T16:37:03Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > Look for dmc\_r10. Thanks!