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Very Slow CD import rates

drsox

drsox

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Apr 29, 2011
1,745
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Xhystos
Just bought a new M2 15in MBA with Sonoma. Importing a CD into iTunes is Very Slow. The old MBA was running Mavericks. CD imports ran at full speed.

It's not the CD (tested on another Mac with Mavericks - full speed); It's not the CD reader (I have two, happens with both). It's not the network (direct reader>MBA connection).

Anyone else with the same experience ?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
What APPLICATION are you using to import the tracks?

I'm thinking... that's where the problem lies...
 
Not for older historic recordings. These aren't in streaming format generally.
 
drsox said:
Not for older historic recordings. These aren't in streaming format generally.
Click to expand...
Well, in the mainstream it’s dead. You should expect degradation of CD support in all modern software. It’s time to migrate to other solutions. Try ffmpeg: https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/ffmpeg It’s a command-line only, free and open source software, but it’s used behind the scenes in all fancy paid apps with GUI.
 
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OP wrote:
"iTunes aka Apple Music. Version 1.4.0.118"

Apple Music.app and iTunes ARE NOT "the same thing".

I have a suggestion for you.

Download the free utility "Retroactive" here:
github.com

Release Retroactive 2.1 · cormiertyshawn895/Retroactive

Retroactive has been discontinued, and does not support macOS Sequoia or later. You should transition from Retroactive to a wide range of supported apps, many of which are built into macOS or free ...
github.com github.com
(click the blue button)

Retroactive is a very nifty (and free) utility that will install a working copy of the (old) iTunes app onto a new (or newer) Mac running the latest versions of the OS.

Very easy to use... just try it.

When you've got iTunes installed, THEN try importing from the CD, to see if that makes a difference.

More thoughts...
If for some reason it does not, I'd try a different connecting cable from the CD drive to the Mac (if that's possible).

One more thought:
Does the MBA put out enough USB POWER to run the CD drive?
(assuming both of the ones you have are run from "bus power")

Another thought:
Try something OTHER THAN Apple's software to do the ripping.
3rd party app of some sort...
 
I got an 13" M2 Air, I use XLD and don't see much of a difference to my previous Mini 2018 i7 or MBP 2013 i7. I'd say that it's even a bit faster to read the CD's.
 
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DuskHorizon said:
Well, in the mainstream it’s dead. You should expect degradation of CD support in all modern software. It’s time to migrate to other solutions. Try ffmpeg: https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/ffmpeg It’s a command-line only, free and open source software, but it’s used behind the scenes in all fancy paid apps with GUI.
Click to expand...
Yes, I suspect this is the answer. Apple hasn't updated Music to cope with CD ripping and doesn't intend to.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP wrote:
"iTunes aka Apple Music. Version 1.4.0.118"

Apple Music.app and iTunes ARE NOT "the same thing".

I have a suggestion for you.

Download the free utility "Retroactive" here:
github.com

Release Retroactive 2.1 · cormiertyshawn895/Retroactive

Retroactive has been discontinued, and does not support macOS Sequoia or later. You should transition from Retroactive to a wide range of supported apps, many of which are built into macOS or free ...
github.com github.com
(click the blue button)

Retroactive is a very nifty (and free) utility that will install a working copy of the (old) iTunes app onto a new (or newer) Mac running the latest versions of the OS.

Very easy to use... just try it.

When you've got iTunes installed, THEN try importing from the CD, to see if that makes a difference.

More thoughts...
If for some reason it does not, I'd try a different connecting cable from the CD drive to the Mac (if that's possible).

One more thought:
Does the MBA put out enough USB POWER to run the CD drive?
(assuming both of the ones you have are run from "bus power")

Another thought:
Try something OTHER THAN Apple's software to do the ripping.
3rd party app of some sort...
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have another solution - keep a MacMini running Mavericks.
 
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UPDATE:

Just updated to Sonoma 14.4. Big improvement. Data rate increased from 230kbps to 2.1Mbps, i.e. 9.1x. Now usable (but not yet at full rate). Transfer pattern (from Activity Monitor) still odd (multiple spikes and then flat at 2.1Mpbs).

Cheers.
 
XLD - not necessarily faster, but at least used to be more thorough and reliable, something akin to EAC on windows.
 
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