Music

Lame:

This is an MP3 encoder which has a very good reputation, and is available free, it has been incorporated into some rippers. It really needs to be used with a front end.

RazerLame:

This is one of the best front ends for Lame, and has recommended settings that you can setup with, also it allows you to use your own custom settings that you may wish to try out.

Cdex:

This software will enable you to rip ie. extract music from a cd to your hard drive, it is also capable of converting the .wav format to the .mp3 format, which takes up far less capacity on your hard drive or cd if you choose to burn it with a cd writer.

Eac:

Exact audio copy is quite a handy utility, as a ripper, and does much more, it is well worth looking at, it can be used in conjunction with RazerLame. It is cardware, the author of the program, just asks that you send him a postcard.

Wave repair:

This is a very handy tool if you are trying to clean up wave files you have got on your hard disk that came from vinyl records.

DePopper:

This is another utility for use with vinyl records, and can give good results, it as the name implies gets rid of those annoying noises, making old records more listenable again.