I’ve installed the headless Roon Server (Core?) on my Mac Mini, Roon apps (remote controls?) on my Android and iPad, and stream from a networked HDD to my HiFiBerry connected to my Hegel H390 (while I wait for the Hegel to become Roon Ready). All good.
I wonder what software I would install on my Macbook Pro (the only device I have with an optical drive) if I wanted to use it as a Roon remote control and to rip CDs to my networked HDD. Is CD ripping something that Roon does? Thanks.
Roon does not have a great solution for CD ripping. Many of us use dBpoweramp
Okay. I thought there would be some sort of import feature.
$40 seems a bit steep for a CD ripper. I use XLD (X Lossless Decoder) to rip audio.
All that being said - what is the best software package to use a laptop as a remote control for Roon Server?
XLD is fine too if that is what you already use. To use the MacBook as a Roon remote, just download the MAC software package that includes everything. When you first use it there will be an option to use the MacBook as a core, or to select a core. You can select the Mac mini and you are good to go
Got it.
Thanks.
Depends on how many CDs you have to rip. 
XLD is fine too. IIRC, it also integrates with the AccurateRip database.
Having Accurip is worth it , it checks back against other people’s rips to see if yours is good
Worth $40 to more I would say
But as above it depends how many CDs you need to rip
True. It does.