Since we all prefer lossless formats here, rips from CD should be not just without audible artifacts but 100% identical to the original. Otherwise, there's no sense in lossless at all. That's why I've decided to write a short 'How-To' on proper configuring of EAC.
Here are settings that need to be properly configured:
EAC-> EAC options-> Extraction
[v] Fill up missing offset samples with silence
[ ] No use of null samples for CRC calculations
[v] Synchronize between tracks
[ ] Delete leading and trailing silent blocks
Error recovery quality: [High]
EAC-> EAC Options-> Tools
[v] Retrieve UPC/ISRC codes in CUE sheet generation (only if CD-drive supports gap Detection method A. Enabling this option is the only way to make an exact copy.)
[v] Use CD-Text information in CUE sheet generation
[v] Automatically write status report after extraction
[ ] Activate beginner mode, disable all advanced features
EAC-> EAC Options-> Normalize
[ ] Normalize
Never ever use this option. Keep it disabled by all means!
EAC-> EAC Options-> Interface[*] Installed external ASPI interface
- before setting up this option you should download Nero's WINASPI32.DLL and put it in EAC's folder
EAC-> Drive Options-> Extraction Method
- insert in your CD drive any audio disc and press Detect Read Features button. If Accurate Stream was NO, then do not use this drive for audio extraction!
If Accurate Stream was detected (Yes), then set the following options this way (no matter what results were shown in Analyzing window):[*] Secure mode with following drive features:
[v] Drive has 'Accurate Stream' feature
[v] Drive caches audio data
[ ] Drive is capable of Retrieving C2 error information
EAC-> Drive Options-> Drive
Drive read command - insert any audio CD in your drive and press Autodetect read command now button
EAC-> Drive Options-> Offset / Speed
For most exact copy of audio CD it's recommended to use read sample offset correction. To understand the importance of offset correction please read The Truth About Offsets article. Read SatCP's comprehensive gude on how to determine offsets.[*] Use read sample offset correction [Optional]
Enter determined value, otherwise leave default settings (zero).
[v] Overread into Lead-In and Lead-Out [Optional]
Use this only if your drive support this feature and if you've set custom (not default) value for read sample offset correction
[v] Allow speed reduction during extraction
EAC-> Drive Options-> Gap Detection
Gap/Index retrival method: [Detection method A]
- press OK to save settings and try to detect gaps of inserted audio CD: Action-> Detect Gaps (F4). If EAC seems to take forever to detect the gaps or the detection process locks up after a few tracks, the detection method you've choosen is not optimal for your drive. Try choosing Detection method B or C.
Detection accuracy: [Secure]
That's it, all set up and ready to go.