GiliSoft Audio Converter Ripper: Complete Guide to Converting & Ripping Audio

GiliSoft Audio Converter Ripper: Complete Guide to Converting & Ripping AudioGiliSoft Audio Converter Ripper is a desktop application designed to convert audio files between formats, extract audio from video, and rip audio from CDs. Whether you need a specific format for a device, want to reduce file size, or are preparing audio for editing, this guide covers the app’s core features, step-by-step workflows, settings for best quality, troubleshooting tips, and alternatives so you can choose the right approach for your needs.

What GiliSoft Audio Converter Ripper does (at a glance)

Converts audio files between popular formats such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, WMA, OGG, and more.
Rips audio tracks from CD discs into digital files.
Extracts audio from video files (MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, etc.).
Batch processes multiple files for fast, large-scale conversions.
Offers presets for common devices and uses (smartphones, portable players, etc.).
Includes basic editing like trimming and applying simple fades (varies by version).

Getting started

System requirements & installation

GiliSoft Audio Converter Ripper runs on Windows. Check the developer’s site for the latest supported versions. Installation typically involves downloading the installer, running it, and following on-screen prompts. Accept the license and choose an install location. If prompted about bundled offers, read options carefully and decline any unwanted extras.

Licensing

The software is available in free trial and paid versions. The trial may limit features like conversion length, watermarking, or the number of files processed. Purchase a license to remove limitations and receive updates and support.

Interface overview

The main window usually includes:

A toolbar with Add Files, Add Folder, Rip CD, Convert, and Stop buttons.
A file list with input file name, format, duration, output format, and status.
Output settings area (format picker, bitrate, sample rate, channels).
Presets dropdown for device-specific or quality-oriented presets.
Progress bar and logs for current tasks.

Converting audio files — step-by-step

Open the program.
Click Add Files or drag-and-drop audio files into the file list.
Select the files you want to convert.
Choose an output format from the Format or Profile dropdown (e.g., MP3, FLAC).
Adjust settings: bitrate, sample rate, channels (mono/stereo), and codec-specific options. Use a preset if you prefer.
Set an Output Folder for converted files.
Click Convert (or Start) to begin. Monitor progress in the status column and progress bar.
When finished, check the output folder for converted files.

Tips:

For minimal quality loss, convert to lossless formats (WAV or FLAC).
When converting between lossy formats (e.g., MP3 to AAC), expect additional quality degradation; start from a lossless source if possible.
Use batch conversion to apply the same settings to many files.

Ripping audio from CDs

Insert an audio CD into your PC’s disc drive.
Click Rip CD (or Add CD). The software should scan and list tracks. If the program queries an online database, allow it to fetch track names and metadata.
Select tracks to rip.
Choose the output format and quality settings (e.g., FLAC for exact copies, MP3 320 kbps for smaller files).
Specify metadata options: artist, album, track titles, year, genre — either edit manually or accept automatic tags.
Click Rip or Start and wait for completion.

Recommended ripping settings:

For archival: FLAC (lossless) with AccurateRip support if available.
For portable devices: MP3 320 kbps or AAC 256–320 kbps for good balance of size and quality.

Extracting audio from video files

Add the video file (MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.) via Add Files.
Select the file and choose an audio-only output profile (e.g., MP3, AAC, WAV).
Optionally, set start and end points to extract a clip rather than the full audio.
Choose bitrate and sample rate appropriate to the source. Higher sample rates and bitrates preserve more of the original audio’s fidelity.
Click Convert.

Notes:

If video uses multi-channel audio (5.1), ensure output format and settings preserve channels if you need surround sound.
Some video containers hold high-bitrate audio (e.g., DTS, AC3); choose a lossless or high-quality lossy format to minimize degradation.

Best settings for different goals

Archiving/master copies: FLAC or WAV, 44.1 kHz or higher, 16-bit or 24-bit depending on source.
Listening on phone: MP3 192–320 kbps or AAC 128–256 kbps.
Podcast or voice: MP3 96–128 kbps, mono, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.
Minimize file size: lower bitrate (e.g., MP3 96 kbps), mono if acceptable.

Use these as starting points and test on short clips to confirm perceived quality.

Metadata and tagging

GiliSoft typically supports editing ID3 tags for MP3 and metadata for other formats. Before converting or ripping, fill in artist, album, track number, and album art to keep your library organized. Batch tag editing helps apply the same metadata to many files quickly.

Basic editing features

Many versions include trimming (cut start/end), fade-in/fade-out, and volume normalization. For advanced editing (multi-track editing, spectral editing), use a dedicated audio editor like Audacity or Reaper, then import the cleaned files into GiliSoft for encoding.

Troubleshooting common issues

No sound after conversion: check output format compatibility with your player and verify codec settings. Test converted file in a reliable player (VLC).
Poor quality after conversion: ensure you didn’t downsample or use a very low bitrate; convert from a higher-quality or lossless source.
CD ripping errors: clean the CD, ensure the drive supports audio extraction, and enable error correction if available. Use AccurateRip-compatible tools for better verification.
Program crashes/freezes: update to the latest version, check system requirements, and try converting fewer files at once.

Performance tips

Close other heavy applications during batch conversions to free CPU/RAM.
Convert in batches rather than dozens of files simultaneously to avoid IO bottlenecks.
Use an SSD for faster read/write during conversions.
If available, enable multi-threading or hardware acceleration in settings for faster performance.

Privacy & legality

Only convert or rip content you legally own or have rights to. Ripping copyrighted CDs or extracting audio from purchased/streamed content falls under different legal frameworks depending on your country — ensure compliance with local law.

Alternatives and when to choose them

Tool	Strengths	When to use
Audacity	Free, advanced editing, noise reduction	When you need detailed editing before encoding
dBpoweramp	High-quality CD ripping, AccurateRip integration	Archival ripping with verification
fre:ac	Open-source converter, batch processing	Free conversion with good format support
Format Factory	Multi-format media converter	If you need video + audio conversions in one app

Final recommendations

For highest fidelity, rip to FLAC and keep originals.
Use high bitrates (MP3 256–320 kbps) for music you’ll listen to on portable devices.
Edit metadata immediately to keep your library organized.
Test settings on short clips before processing large batches.

If you want, I can:

Provide step-by-step screenshots (describe your OS/version) — text-only.
Write a short how-to for ripping a CD to FLAC with exact settings.
Compare GiliSoft with one specific alternative in more detail.