Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

[Nubben]

Hi all,

I prefer to use iTunes ALAC encoder to dBpa's. So, what I do is to rip all my CDs to AIFF using dBpa (NB: Just installed R9 of the AIFF Encoder which solves the drops in samples - thanks Spoon!) and convert them to ALAC in iTunes.

As I am completely paranoid about these rips I double check my rips (AIFFs vs ALACs) using foobar's Bit Compare feature. Once verified I discard the AIFF files and move the ALAC files to my Mac OS X partition.

Now, going forward I would like to add to the ALAC files the fact that they have been ripped by dBpa, encoded by iTunes and bit compared by foobar by putting in the following string in the "Encoded by" tag in iTunes (you click on "Get Info" in iTunes):

Encoded by: dBpa 13.2, iTunes 8.1.0.50, Verified

dBpa 13.2 would symbolise that they have been SECURELY ripped. The Itunes tag that they were encoded by iTunes and "Verified" that they have been bit compared against the original dBpa AIFF files.

Is there a way for me to add this string to the iTUNES ALAC FILES without having to re-encode them? Have tried to play around with editing the ID3 tags but they don't seem to stick. Would I be able to use a DSP? IF I can use a DSP - how do I set dBpa to NOT re-encode the ALAC files - just write the tag?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Nubben

[Nubben]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

I may have found the answer myself. Will try using the utility codec "ID Tag Update" and see if that works.

Many thanks.

Nubben

[Nubben]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

Hi again,

I have tried to use the ID Tag Update codec (bot R1 and R2) in dBpoweramp 13.1 and when I apply the tag field "Encoded by" (the only one I want to use) with a certain value it renders the Apple lossless files corrupt.

Neither foobar not iTunes can play them - what gives?

Many thanks!

Nubben

[Nubben]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

I know I shouldn't bump - but please anyone?

Would be very grateful.

Nubben

[Spoon]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

Will mark as a bug to look into.

[Nubben]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

Thanks Spoon.

In the meantime, is there any other utility I can use to edit the "Encoded by" tag - without re-writing all the other tags in the file?

Many thanks.

Nubben

[Spoon]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

Not that I know.

[Nubben]

Re: Writing "Encoder" tag for iTunes encoded ALACs - can't seem to do it!

In the end it was a simple exercise of highlighting the Apple Lossless files in Windows Explorer; right-click and choose "Edit ID Tag". I would then simply replace the "Encoded by" field with the new string. Means I don't have to muck around with all the other tags using the ID Tag Update encoder.

Nubben