m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

[Converge57]

Hi,

I'm having real problems with the converter for some reason since reinstalling Windows 10 (had some unrelated issues). Since reinstalling dBpoweramp, I can't get any of the codecs/encoders that I use to work.

When I installed 'm4a FDK (AAC) Codec' I don't get any choices for bitrate, VBR, CBR etc, it's as if I've not selected the codec from the drop down. If I then try and convert anyway I get the following error message:

Error converting to m4a FDK (AAC), '<Filename>'
Error: Unable to load encoder 'm4a FDK (AAC)'. [dBCoreConverter::dBCoreConverter]

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong please? I've not had any problems for 4-5 years, and even when Nero was phased out and I'd done a reinstall in the early days of FDK it all worked fine then too. So what's changed?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance!

[Spoon]

Re: m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

It is likely your security software is blocking the dll from loading, or you have a mixup of 32 bit encoder dlls and 64 bit dBpoweramp.

[Converge57]

Re: m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

It is likely your security software is blocking the dll from loading, or you have a mixup of 32 bit encoder dlls and 64 bit dBpoweramp.

Hi Spoon!

Thanks for the reply. I've got 64 bit dBpoweramp (v13.5). The codecs contain both 64 and 32 bit encoders right? I don't see a way of selecting one or the other if that is the problem?

I've ESET security software, I can't see any log saying it's blocking the codec installations?

[Converge57]

Re: m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

Forgot to mention, I installed the codec again with anti-virus etc disabled, and still no luck... :(

[Spoon]

Re: m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

If you have a mix of 32 bit and 64 bit then issues like this can arise, first step would be to uninstall all dBpoweramp items, then run:

https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?13285-Totally-Clearing-dBpoweramp-from-the-System

to make sure everything is cleared. Then install fresh.

[Converge57]

Re: m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

If you have a mix of 32 bit and 64 bit then issues like this can arise, first step would be to uninstall all dBpoweramp items, then run:

https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?13285-Totally-Clearing-dBpoweramp-from-the-System

to make sure everything is cleared. Then install fresh.

Unfortunately that did not resolve the issue either! :(

So, I stumped up the money and bought the latest version of the software. It works a treat now. Thank you for your assistance Spoon.

[Converge57]

Re: m4a FDK (AAC) Codec Issues

This is a pair of AAC profiles tailored for low bit rates (version 1 and version 2). AAC-HE version 1 is suited for bit rates below 64 kb/s (for stereo audio) down to about 48 kb/s, while AAC-HE version 2 is suited for bit rates as low as 32 kb/s (again, for stereo).
Unfortunately, many devices that can play AAC-LC (the default profile for libfdk_aac) simply cannot play either version of AAC-HE, so this is not recommended for surround sound audio, which normally needs to be compatible with such hardware players. If you are only going to play it on your computer, or you are sure that your hardware player supports AAC-HE, you can aim for a bit rate of 160 kb/s for version 1, or 128 kb/s for version 2. As always, experiment to see what works for your ears.

Hi mate,

Thank you for your response, which is appreciated. However, what you have answered is nothing to do with my issue.

Cheers though.