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SPECIFICTION
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Max

sbooth.org

Free plan macOS
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Spec score 7.7 #4 of 29 in Audio CD Ripping Software

What it is

Max is free macOS software for creating audio files from CDs and converting existing audio. It reads and writes more than 20 formats at almost all sample rates and most sample sizes, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, Apple Lossless, WavPack, Speex, AIFF, and WAVE. For discs in good condition, its high-speed ripper omits error correction; damaged discs can use comparison ripping or cdparanoia correction. Cue sheets can divide one audio file into multiple tracks. Max retrieves CD information through MusicBrainz and writes metadata to supported output formats, while artist and album details transfer for many popular formats. Encoded files can be added to a selected iTunes playlist. Users control output locations and filenames, and advanced settings cover encoding threads, extraction correction, and encoder parameters. Released under the GNU General Public License, Max requires macOS 10.7 or later. The project directs questions to forums and bug reports to GitHub. Cloud conversion is not included.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Max creates audio files from compact discs or existing audio files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project points users to its forums for common questions and its GitHub issue tracker for bug reports.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
Max is free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Advanced controls
Advanced users can configure encoding threads, audio extraction error correction, and encoder parameters.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audio conversion
Max can read and write over 20 audio formats at almost all sample rates and most sample sizes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
CD ripping
For pristine discs, Max offers a high-speed ripper with no error correction; for damaged discs, it offers a comparison ripper or cdparanoia error correction.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cue sheets
Max can split a single audio file into multiple tracks using a cue sheet.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Encoder controls
Advanced users can control encoding thread count, audio extraction error correction, and encoder parameters.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
File conversion
Max reads and writes over 20 audio formats at almost all sample rates and most sample sizes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integration
Max integrates with MusicBrainz to retrieve compact disc information and write metadata to supported output formats.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
iTunes
Max can add encoded files to an iTunes library in a playlist the user chooses.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
iTunes integration
Max can add encoded files to an iTunes library playlist selected by the user.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Metadata integration
Max integrates with MusicBrainz to retrieve CD information automatically.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Metadata transfer
For many popular formats, artist and album metadata transfers between the source and converted files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Metadata writing
Max writes retrieved metadata to MP3, FLAC, Ogg FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, Monkey's Audio, WavPack, AAC, and Apple Lossless output files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Open source
Max is free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output formats
Max can create audio in over 20 compressed and uncompressed formats, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, Apple Lossless, WavPack, Speex, AIFF, and WAVE.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output organization
Users can control where output files are placed and what they are named.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platform requirement
The stated requirement is macOS 10.7 or greater.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirement
The project lists macOS 10.7 or greater as a requirement.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Max Free Free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Max plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free software under the GNU General Public License
  • Reads and writes over 20 audio formats
  • Offers multiple CD error-correction methods
  • MusicBrainz metadata retrieval
  • Advanced encoder and extraction controls

Limits

  • macOS 10.7 or later required
  • No cloud conversion
  • Available on macOS only

Who it suits

Max suits Mac users who need local CD ripping, format conversion, metadata handling, and output controls. It is aimed at people comfortable with a desktop utility rather than cloud conversion.

Verdict

Max provides extensive local audio conversion and CD-ripping controls at no cost. Its usefulness depends on using macOS and not requiring cloud-based conversion.

Where Specifiction places it

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