# Ripping on macOS

Make sure to download the latest version of [X Lossless Decoder](https://tmkk.undo.jp/xld/index_e.html) and the [XLD Log Checker plugin](https://sourceforge.net/projects/xld/files).

!!! tip
	Skip to [**Ripping**](#ripping) if you already have everything setup and wish to skip to the ripping part of the guide.

## **Setup**

The following should be done once when setting up the program.

### 1. Install

![](/assets/img/xld/1.png){ width="450" }

Open the DMG archive and move `XLD.app` to `/Applications/`.

### 2. Plugin

![](/assets/img/xld/2.png){: style="border-radius:10px;width:350px" }

Install the [XLD Log Checker plugin](https://sourceforge.net/projects/xld/files) by extracting the downloaded archive and copying the resulting `XLDLogChecker.bundle` to `/Applications/XLD.app/Contents/PlugIns/`.

Upon restarting the app, you should see a new option `Log Checker...` under the XLD menu item.

### 3. Preferences

![](/assets/img/xld/3.png){: style="border-radius:10px;width:350px" }

Open Preferences...

![](/assets/img/xld/4.png){: style="width:500px" }

After configuring the tab click *Option*...

![](/assets/img/xld/5.png){: style="width:500px" }

![](/assets/img/xld/6.png){: style="width:500px" }

The following track naming scheme (`%D-%n. %t`) is recommended for all rips. Do not include folder parts in the scheme as the generated cuesheet will get messed up.

Make all character replacements replace with an empty value and add other characters not allowed in paths on Windows (`"`, `\`, `*`, `?`, `<`, `>`, `|`). Original titles are always available from the file tags anyway, replacing characters in filenames, especially with similar symbols causes unnessecary confusion when performing file operations.

![](/assets/img/xld/7.png){: style="width:500px" }

![](/assets/img/xld/8.png){: style="width:500px" }

If you submit metadata and disc ids to MusicBrainz before ripping, pick MusicBrainz as the preferred service.

![](/assets/img/xld/9.png){: style="width:500px" }

![](/assets/img/xld/10.png){: style="width:500px" }

The read samples offset correction value should have been filled automatically and may not be the same value as in the image. You should verify this value by finding the offset for your drive from the [AccurateRip Drive Offsets](https://accuraterip.com/driveoffsets.htm) page.

![](/assets/img/xld/11.png){: style="border-radius:10px;width:650px" }

Finally, uncheck Cover Art from *CDDB --> Query Items*.

## **Ripping**

The following should be done for every rip.

### 1. Prerip

![](/assets/img/xld/12.png)

Upon inserting a disc, iTunes will automatically open. Select the disc from the left pane and wait for iTunes to fetch metadata.

![](/assets/img/xld/13.png){: style="border-radius:10px;width:450px" }

Open XLD and select the disc.

![](/assets/img/xld/14.png)

After XLD detects pre-gaps for the inserted disc, it will display all tracks with metadata (if any) from Apple Music.

![](/assets/img/xld/15.png)

If Apple Music was unable to retrieve metadata, click *Get Metadata* (in the top-right corner) and choose a release from the dropdown. If it still could not find any metadata, right-click a track and click *Edit Metadata...* to add data manually.

### 2. Midrip

![](/assets/img/xld/14.png)

!!! danger
	Make sure the **Extraction Mode** (at the top) is set to **Include pre-gap except for HTOA**.

Click *Extract* (in the top-right corner) and pick a folder to rip to.

![](/assets/img/xld/16.png)

It's recommended for the folder name to be simple and consistent, for example `Album Artist - Album Title (Year) {Cat. No}`.

!!! warning
	Make sure to pick a folder that won't leave any personal information in the path as it will be added to the generated rip log.

### 3. Postrip

* Check the rip log with a logchecker. <small>See&nbsp;[Ripping&nbsp;CDs](/guides/ripping-cds)</small>
* Add a high quality cover. <small>See&nbsp;[Finding&nbsp;Artwork](/guides/finding-artwork)</small>
* Make scans of your physical release. <small>See&nbsp;[Scanning&nbsp;Releases](/guides/scanning-releases)</small>



{{ pageinfo(authors=["John Deere", "Salty"], created="2021/10/23", updated="2022/03/10") }}

[^1]: <https://redacted.ch/wiki.php?action=article&id=4>
