This article explains how to copy audio tracks from a CD to a computer. You can use both iTunes and Windows Media Player. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using iTunes
Step 1. Insert the audio CD you want to copy into your computer's optical drive
Make sure you insert the CD into the player with the side on which the cover is visible facing up.
- If a pop-up window appears after inserting the CD into the drive, close it before proceeding.
- If you are using a Mac (or a Windows computer without an optical drive), you will need to purchase an external USB CD player in order to perform this procedure.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
It features a multicolored music note icon on a white background.
If you haven't installed iTunes on your computer yet, download and install it now before continuing
Step 3. Press the "CD" button
It features a compact disc icon and is located in the upper left of the iTunes window. The information of the CD in the player will be displayed.
Step 4. Press the Import CD button
It is located in the upper right part of the program window. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 5. Select the audio format to use for copying
Access the "Import using" drop-down menu located at the top of the pop-up window that appears, then choose the audio format in which the tracks will be stored on your computer.
- For example choose the option MP3 encoder if you want the tracks on the CD to be imported as MP3 files.
- By default, iTunes imports the audio tracks of a CD in the AAC format. It is a format compatible with most audio devices and guarantees sound quality superior to MP3 format.
Step 6. Set the audio quality level if needed
Go to the "Settings" drop-down menu, then choose the quality level to use for importing songs onto your computer.
For example, if you need to obtain audio files with very high sound quality, you will need to select the option Best quality.
Step 7. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the "Import Settings" window. iTunes will start importing the audio tracks on the CD into your computer.
Step 8. Wait for the song import to complete
When the copy process is finished, iTunes will notify you with a short beep and the progress bar at the top of the program window will disappear.
Step 9. Access your iTunes library and select the new album created by the import procedure
Select the tab Music located in the upper left of the program window, then scroll down the list to locate and select the album name you just imported.
Step 10. Select with the right mouse button one of the songs in the album
It doesn't matter which one you choose, the important thing is that it is one of the files you just copied from the CD. The context menu will be displayed.
If you are using a Mac, select one of the songs then enter the menu File located in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 11. Choose the Show in File Explorer option
It is one of the items listed in the menu that appeared. The hard drive folder where the files copied from the CD were saved will be displayed. At this point you are free to move, copy or rename them according to your needs.
If you are using a Mac you will need to choose the option Show in Finder.
Method 2 of 2: Use Windows Media Player
Step 1. Insert the audio CD you want to copy into your computer's optical drive
Make sure you insert the CD into the player with the side on which the cover is visible facing up.
- If a pop-up window appears after inserting the CD into the drive, close it before proceeding.
- If you are using a computer without an optical drive, you will need to purchase an external USB CD player in order to perform the steps described in this section of the article.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 3. Start Windows Media Player
Type the keywords windows media player into the "Start" menu, then click the icon Windows Media Player appeared at the top of the results list.
If your computer does not have Windows Media Player, Windows Media Player will not appear in the "Start" menu after searching. In this case you will need to install and use iTunes
Step 4. Select the CD drive
Click the name of the CD present in the player and visible in the left sidebar of the Windows Media Player window.
Step 5. Press the CD Copy Settings button
It is located in the upper left of the Windows Media Player window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Choose the item Other options…
It is one of the items listed within the menu CD copy settings. A pop-up window will appear.
Step 7. Select an audio format
Access the "Format" drop-down menu, then choose the audio format to use for storing the imported songs on your computer (for example MP3).
The default format used by Windows Media Player is WMA, however it is not compatible with some audio players. For this reason it is better to choose a format that guarantees the greatest possible compatibility, for example the MP3 format
Step 8. Choose the destination folder
Push the button Change … located on the right of the "Copy music from CD to this path" section, choose the folder where the files copied from the CD will be stored (for example Desktop) and press the button OK.
Step 9. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the window. The new import settings will be saved and applied.
Step 10. Press the Copy from CD button
It is located in the upper left of the Windows Media Player window. The program will begin to extract the tracks on the disc and save them in the chosen format on the computer in the indicated folder.
Step 11. Wait for the import process to complete
When Windows Media Player notifies you that the CD copy is complete you can continue.
Step 12. Access the files extracted from the CD
Open the folder you selected as the destination for the files imported from the CD, double-click the directory labeled "Unknown Artist", then double-click the album folder you'll find inside. The complete list of all audio tracks that have been imported to your computer will be displayed. At this point you are free to move, copy, rename or modify the files in question, according to your needs.
