Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

[maskim7]

When ripping my cd collection to FLAC using CD Ripper several of the files have audible pops and cracks. The files were ripped in secure mode and checked out ok. I've played the files in both WinAmp and Foobar2000 with the same results. It seems to me that dbpoweramp and my hardware are not playing well. Any ideas why this is happening? Any help troubleshooting this issue would be appreciated.

CD drive details:

Manufacturer: TSSTcorp
CD Drive: CDDVDW SH-S202N
Firmware: SB01
Serial: 1203
Maximum Speed: 8467 KB/sec (x47)
Current Speed: 1411 KB/sec (x7)
Spin-down After: 2 minutes
Buffer Size: 2 MB
Accurate Stream: Yes
C2 Error Pointers: Yes
Reads ISRC: Yes
Reads UPC: Yes

[LtData]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

What settings are you using for FLAC? If you change the compression setting or choose a different format, does the popping and cracking persist? What if you re-encode the FLACs to a different format?

Using any DSP effects when you rip to FLAC?

[maskim7]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

Hi -

Thanks for the quick response.

I'm using the highest compression level 8.
I changed the compression level to the default 5 and re-ripped. The pops were still present at the same locations, ie at 1m:09s of the track.
The pops are also still present when I convert the affected Flac to mp3.
The pops are also present when I rip the track from cd to mp3.
I am not using any DSP effects.

[LtData]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

Any physical damage on the CD, such as scratches or "bubbles" on the CD? It is starting to look like either something with the CD drive or, more likely, the CD itself, since it is the exact same track. No other CDs have the pops when you rip them, correct?

[Spoon]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

Did accuraterip verify you cd rip?

[maskim7]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

The cd is in perfect condition and this happens on other cds as well.
Accurate rip verified the rip.
I'll pop an old Plextor drive I have(not sure which model) in my pc and try ripping the same tracks.

Also, is there any chance this is a playback issue and not a ripping problem? I figure I can test that by copying some affected files to another machine and playing them.

[Spoon]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

Rip to wave as a test.

[maskim7]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

The Wave file did have audible pops.

[Spoon]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

Check this:

http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?t=15415

If in PIO mode then the rips could be as you describe.

[maskim7]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

No luck. DMA was the current mode. I'll be installing the Plextor drive tomorrow and trying to rip some tracks that I know get pops.

[maskim7]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

I installed the Plextor and still had audible pops. To rule out my pc as the problem I played the offending files on another pc. The tracks sounded fine. I also burned an audio cd using nero from the "bad" flacs. I played this disc on my pc and it had the pops. I played the same disc in my cd player and heard no pops. This definitely seems to point to my pc, specifically playback. Any suggestions? Could it be digital volume settings? Also I have already ordered a usb dac so soon I'll be able to rule out the sound card.

Currently, I'm using the onboard sound of my Intel perl-k mobo.

Thanks

[bhoar]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

Try setting the volume controls on the windows sound mixer to 70% for all channels/sub-devices.

-brendan

[Vulcan]

Re: Pops and Crackles in FLAC files

What sound card are you using?