Mac equivalent of Daemon Tools for mounting virtual drives

[baxtus]

A question for the Mac folks.

 

I presently use Windows XP but want to move to the Mac.

I use a two step process to encode into iTunes. I rip securely to a wave/cuesheet with EAC. I then mount the image with Daemon Tools and import the CD into iTunes.

 

Is there equivalent software to Daemon tools for the Mac?

 

Thanks in advance

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

This is a good one but I really don't have the answer for you yet. I bet CA member Markr will know the answer to this. He's been working far too many hours lately so it may take him a little while to get back on the site.

 

[markr]

.. that won't be over for any length of time until after the coming week either.

 

Hey baxtus - AND welcome to C/A - , I understand what you want, I just don't 'do-dat' myself - I haven't used EAC, I'm more of a CD-Paranoia sort of guy. Here is the first thing I found - http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=344785 . As the sort of daemon we are speaking of here originated on Unix (as far as I know anyway) and Mac OS X Tiger IS Unix, what you want may just be built in to Mac OS X. If so, you could transfer the ISO to the Mac and use the built in DiskTools to mount it. Actually, if I am correct, you should only have to click on the ISO to mount it. If it isn't built in, I am SURE that what you want is out there in one format or another. I will try mounting an audio cd ISO and putting it into iTunes using just what the OS has already. ...... don't know exactly when I'll have the time though - I don't happen to have a CD iso just lying around right now.

 

In the meantime, here is the general google search return for the link I provided:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=optical+media+emulation+for+mac&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

Hmmmm... this one might be more useful : http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Darwin/Reference/ManPages/man1/hdiutil.1.html . NOPE. You don't have a Mac yet, right? - I'm pretty sure it is built-in though. I LOVE Unix! err, Mac OS X.......

 

markr

PS: If I go much past May 5th or so without reposting here, put a question up in this thread again to 'twix' me, OK? I should be pretty brain dead by Saturday.....

 

[baxtus]

Thanks MarkR!

 

I will check the links you supplied.

 

Much appreciated, and yes, I think that I will love UNIX/Mac OS X very much when I finally make the move.

 

[markr]

The verdict is a DEFINITE yes. I was correct in my assumption: Disk tools (included with OS X) will mount ISO files and iTunes will then import those ISO's - the only problem seems to be that no metadata other than the titles of the songs are imported. All other data will have to be entered manually or through some other ingenious means. Considering what you are already used to, I would think that would not be a problem - you might consider actually burning a disc and importing it that way. I'm sure that all the tags would be automatically entered then. BUT, it seems that this is EXACTLY what you are trying to avoid. .... Ah well, what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!

 

You may have to experiment with the exact format of the the ISO file that you create from EAC: using the MAC to create one, I had to make a " .dmg" file to make this work. -- A link to what a .dmg actually is: http://filext.com/file-extension/DMG -- this may help you prepare for the changeover, or give you some questions to ask. I am sending an image of my desktop taken during this process to Chris, and it should be posted here shortly.

 

When you actually get to having OS X in your hands (it is a GREAT tool), I will be happy to help with your learning curve if need be. Also, when you get to *THE* OS, I would try a comparison of the sound of a rip using iTunes (properly set up) vs. the way that you do it now. You might just be pleasantly surprised and end up using your envisioned technique only for 'problem discs'.

 

Regards,

markr

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

 

click to enlarge

 

[baxtus]

I just cannot believe the trouble you have gone to in order to answer a question! Thanks so much!

 

As an experiment, would you like me to upload an EAC/CUE image (to rapidshare for example) that I have securely ripped so that you can play with it?

 

I think that securely ripping a CD then burning it, then ripping it again would be a convoluted method of importing into iTunes and prone to the introduction of artefact. (Unless, of course, one was to use a Plextor drive, Mobile Fidelity GOLD CDR, Nero with verification etc. Anal to the Max - pun intended!)

 

All of my CD's are pristine, and I rip before I even play them so the above may all be total paranoia anyway!

 

It is, however, great stuff to think about and play with for those with inquiring natures. (Most of those involved in this forum from what I can gather so far!)

 

Let's play!

 

[markr]

Your original post had made me curious about it this possibility anyway, so I would have eventually tried it. I understand your caution about this, but I just don't have time to tie up myself or machines to do these sort of audio data integrity steps as regular routine. I'll only do my 'data secure' steps for audio images (CD paranoia - via the "Max" application on mac, or just CD Paranoia itself on Linux) when the 'easy way' does not yield satisfactory results. - this leaves me much more time to create music from scratch, which is really where my fun, play and inquiring nature lives.

 

As for the experiment, one can create an ISO in so many different ways, that it could really take a long time to get it right via filesharing, especially files of CD image size. Let's try this instead: Go to the screenshot that Chris so kindly put up here and look at the top-most window, the one that says "new image from folder" at the top of it. Look at the file save type selector section, lower center called "Image Format". This is the sort of 'switch' that you should look for in your application. See if you can create the image as "HFS+/ISO/UDF" or even as a mac ".dmg". I'm guessing the answer will be "no." But if your app will let you do this, that will save a step.

 

The steps are easy to find - here is the google page of my first search on this:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=ISO+to+.dmg&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

The second one on the list seems to be the most straightforward way at this point ( though it will cost $$ ): http://www.magiciso.com/FAQ/FAQ0012.htm .

 

It is OUT THERE baxtus!

 

markr

 

 

 

 

[baxtus]

Thanks markr!

 

I actually found this link for Windows users who wish to create an ISO image that should be universally mountable.

 

http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

 

This may help those who have backed up their CD's to EAC/Cue and wish to change platform to MAC at some stage. Hope it works!

 

baxtus

 

Just tried it and it only burns to a physical CD, not an image - sorry.