Lost tags converting FLAC to MP3 using Lame.exe

[Jon Fenton]

I have previously used Music Converter to transcode from Window and Apple Lossless to MP3 (preset medium using Lame.exe) for use on my ipod. I have encountered no problems doing this.

However when converting FLAC files the tags are usually missing from the MP3 files. Often the first file transcoded will be complete but the rest will be missing their tags.

I have tried changing the tag settings and have checked that my software is up to date but with no luck. Any suggestions?

[LtData]

Why not use the built-in LAME encoder? I don't know if dMC can keep the file tags if you use the CLI Lame encoder.

[Jon Fenton]

Preset medium is not an option with the built in encoder.

By ticking the preserve tag option when converting from Apple/WMA lossless the MP3 files have always had the correct tags. Sometimes after converting from FLAC there are tags.

[LtData]

Are you using the latest FLAC codec, mabye?
Note: if you made these files with your current codec and it is not the latest, do NOT install the newest one.

Edit: This is only if your files are 24-bit FLAC, as the older dMC FLAC codec didn't make proper 24-bit files. See here: : If upgrading from R5 of FLAC and you have 24 bit audio encoded FLAC, first convert audio to another lossless format (such as Monkeys Audio ** before installing new FLAC version ** ) then install FLAC update and convert back to FLAC.

[Jon Fenton]

I have the latest codec installed in dbpoweramp. I use EAC to rip my cds and Flac 1.1.2exe to encode.

[LtData]

If you convert to something besides mp3, does it keep the tags?

[Jon Fenton]

I have had no problems converting to any other lossy format. Transcoding to MP3 using the built in encoder creates the correct tags. It is only when going from FLAC to MP3 using Lame.exe there is a problem.

[Spoon]

If you hold the mouse over the flac file, does dbpoweramp show the tags?

[Jon Fenton]

Yes. Info tips are shown when holding the cursor over the flac file icons.

[LtData]

Spoon: Does dMC write the tags using LAME.exe or does dMC add the tags later? If it adds them later, could he have his tags set for APE2 and therefore no other programs read these tags?

Jon: Go to dMC Configuration (Start --> Programs --> dBpowerAMP Music Converter --> Configuration --> dMC Configuration) and check your ID Tag settings for mp3. Try setting them to ID3v2/ID3v1. Note I am referring to the option that lists both of these settings. See if this helps, mabye?

[Jon Fenton]

I have played around with the tag options to see if this solves the problem but with no joy. The first file converted after starting the computer will often have the tags. After this only the occasional file will be tagged correctly. The dialog box also stops showing that the tag is being added at the end of the conversion of each file.

[LtData]

Have you mabye tried the latest dMC beta? Link is below.

[Jon Fenton]

I have installed the beta version but with no luck. Is this problem unique to me or have other users had the same problem? If it appears to be a fault with the setup on my computer I don't want to waste people's time and will just use an abr setting on the built-in encoder. Unfortunately I do not have access to a second pc to check if the problem repeats itself.

[ChristinaS]

If you use dMC to convert to mp3(lame) does it work properly?

[Jon Fenton]

The built-in mp3 encoder works perfectly. In addition the Lame.exe program works with both Apple and WMA Lossless in creating the correct tags.

[Jon Fenton]

I have now got the tagging to work. I recently deleted Realplayer from my computer and now tagging is working all the time. I cannot say Realplayer was the problem for sure, but removing it was the only change to my computer I have made recently. Thought this might help someone in the future.