The best format

[fschillizzi]

Re: The best format

Thanks mville!!

[fschillizzi]

Re: The best format

Thanks again garym!
Very clear post!

[garym]

Re: The best format

Also, remember to use the non-destructive DSP ReplayGain, which writes tags to the files only.

There is a destructive DSP, ReplayGain (Apply) which does alter the audio.

good point. I always forget about the RG (Apply) DSP because I never use that one.

[mville]

Re: The best format

So if I rip flac with replaygain tags and then I remove these tags I will get the same file of bitperfect audio that I would get if I rip flac without replaygain tags???

Also, remember to use the non-destructive DSP ReplayGain, which writes tags to the files only.

There is a destructive DSP, ReplayGain (Apply) which does alter the audio.

[garym]

Re: The best format

Thanks garym!
So if I rip flac with replaygain tags and then I remove these tags I will get the same file of bitperfect audio that I would get if I rip flac without replaygain tags???

yes. bit perfect audio would be the same with or without replaygain tag (or artist tag or album tag or genre tag, etc.). Tags in a file have nothing to do with whether the audio information in the file is bit perfect. A replaygain tag is no different from an ALBUM name tag, an ARTIST name tag, or TRACK NUMBER tag, etc. It's just a metadata tag like any other metadata tag.

[fschillizzi]

Re: The best format

Thanks garym!
So if I rip flac with replaygain tags and then I remove these tags I will get the same file of bitperfect audio that I would get if I rip flac without replaygain tags???

[garym]

Re: The best format

Hi garym. Excuse me, that's true flurn said about when ripping flac with replaygain tags the sound is "flat or subdued"???
He said "I installed dbpoweramp and configured all the settings they give you on their website".
I think he added DSP effect HDCD. I read that this DSP reduce the volume.

I'm not sure I'm following your point or question. Ripping CDs to FLAC format with replaygain tags DOES NOTHING to affect sound quality (making it flat or subdued). These are just tags that tell players to decrease or increase the VOLUME when playing. So if replaygain tags made sound more "flat" then one would also have to say that turning the amplifier's volume control down would equally make the sound more "flat". Replaygain tags (and players that use them) are simply about automatic adjustment to average volume of playback. Furthermore, adding replaygain tags does NOT change the audio data at all. It remains bitperfect.

If one is using the HDCD DSP there are lots of issues/settings one should be aware of. Once one uses the HDCD DSP, the tracks are no longer bitperfect back to the CD. And yes, there is some volume reduction with HDCD. I'm no expert on HDCD DSP (and don't even use it on the few HDCD CDs that I own). But there is a good discussion here:

http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthre...hdcd+practices

[fschillizzi]

Re: The best format

Hi garym. Excuse me, that's true flurn said about when ripping flac with replaygain tags the sound is "flat or subdued"???
He said "I installed dbpoweramp and configured all the settings they give you on their website".
I think he added DSP effect HDCD. I read that this DSP reduce the volume.

[garym]

Re: The best format

May I chip in here with a related question?
What are the merits of VBR ABR CBR?

I also have a more distantly related question. Im looking for a way, when converting FLAC > mp3 for iTunes import to tag the mp3 files, in a way that an iTunes smart playlist can reliably identify, that the track has been so converted. This is in order to 'untick' the tracks before scanning by Squeezebox Server. Im toying with the idea of VBR/CBR bit rate combination to do this. (I have to check my existing library, purchases etc to make sure its foolproof.) dbconverter does creat the Source tag, but seems iTunes doesnt recognise it grrr.

lots of good info on this at hydrogenaudio.org. Search there. Here's one thread.

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=91166

CBR seems a waste. VBR tries to optimize (using more bits when needed and less when not needed). Not that familiar with ABR.

A tag read by both itunes and dbpa is CONTENTGROUPING (called grouping in itunes). Not sure if that will help you achieve what you're trying to achieve with smart playlists.

[RMJFlack]

Re: The best format

May I chip in here with a related question?
What are the merits of VBR ABR CBR?

I also have a more distantly related question. Im looking for a way, when converting FLAC > mp3 for iTunes import to tag the mp3 files, in a way that an iTunes smart playlist can reliably identify, that the track has been so converted. This is in order to 'untick' the tracks before scanning by Squeezebox Server. Im toying with the idea of VBR/CBR bit rate combination to do this. (I have to check my existing library, purchases etc to make sure its foolproof.) dbconverter does creat the Source tag, but seems iTunes doesnt recognise it grrr.

[GarethA]

Re: The best format

Having had Windows Media Player and Libraries play havoc with my music files (Flac&MP3) running under Windows 7 I took garym's advice and removed WMP access to internet files completely. Then I removed my music files from Windows 7 Libraries to maintain control. Then I cleared the WMP data base out completely and temporarily turned it off. Currently WMP does not access my music files

Suggest you refer to [url]www.groovypost.com/howto/microsoft/windows-7/how-to-rebuild-your-windows-media-player-12-library for full instructions.

[Porcus]

Re: The best format

Mal-apropos ... this is one reason for me not to use ALAC. (Nor to encapsulate FLAC in an Ogg container, for that matter, but that's very rare by now.)

As to software for computer playback of FLAC ... more or less anything! It is possible to get WMP to do it as well (decoders available from xiph.org), but WMP overwrites tags in your mp3s as default, so I do my very best not to let my files be touched by any PC with WMP on it. (Microsoft insists that this corruption is a "feature" ... it can be turned off somewhere ...)

[garym]

Re: The best format

I meant which m4a lossy? The only m4a available when I go to convert is the Apple lossless.

You want the m4a Nero AAC. It is here

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-m4a.htm

Follow all the extra steps.

[Flrun]

Re: The best format

I meant which m4a lossy? The only m4a available when I go to convert is the Apple lossless.

[garym]

Re: The best format

For me the decision is easy. Flac for archive and home use. Mp3 -V2 for portable use. And you can install m4a Nero. Get it from codec central at top of this page. Or just use mp3. I find it easier and more universal.