Skip to main content ↑ ↓

Notice

Please note that most of the software linked on this forum is likely to be safe to use. If you are unsure, feel free to ask in the relevant topics, or send a private message to an administrator or moderator. To help curb the problems of false positives, or in the event that you do find actual malware, you can contribute through the article linked here.
Topic: Configuring X Lossless Decoder. (Read 11326 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Hello

I want to scan my new CD collection with XLD, the goal is to have a perfect copy of them. To do this, I intend to use XLD with multiple export. In Flac format for free and ALAC for use on my iPod classic.

The problem there is always one when you do not know, it is the right configuration to use?

On the Internet I found two tutorials that proclaims them as the perfect copy, but both offer different choices, I do not understand anything.

Here are two tutorials:

— http://jungle.sk/XLD_Tutorial/

— http://phildawson.tumblr.com/post/51893833...and-making-mp3s

In concluding, I would have a perfect copy with multiple export and multitrack (each piece representing a file)

Thank you for your future help.

PS: Sorry for my spelling, I'm French and I do not control very well the language of Shakespeare.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #1 –
I would avoid ALAC on the iPod, pointless f you ask me. Much larger files means less music and drains the battery far quicker and with pretty much zero quality gain.

For the iPod i find 128 vbr aac is perfect.

On OS X you really are better off dealing just with ALAC rather than FLAC. Apple just don't support FLAC and you'l find yourself in too many situations when it becomes and issue.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #3 –
@ Billytheonion, Sorry, but I prefer to use the ALAC on my iPod Classic 160 GB as AAC. I want to use the Flac format because it is a free and open, it is more likely to be readable in 10 years that the Apple Lossless would be.

@ wkmax, On this tab I have not many questions. Both tutorials are almost in agreement except on the use of ReplayGain, should it be used or not? On the link you gave me, it was not checked as in the tutorial Jungle.
On this tab is a question regarding the option "Treat AccurateRip year have mismatches inconsistency in log" should be checked?

On the first tab and the panel Flac, matching what the following options, should they be checked?

- "Allow to embed cue sheet",
- "Set 'OGGs' filetype'
- "Correct the error" 30 samples Moved offset "
- "Prepend BOM (Byte Order Mark) When saving cue sheet"



Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Nitheeel on
@ wkmax, On this tab I have not many questions. Both tutorials are almost in agreement except on the use of ReplayGain, should it be used or not? On the link you gave me, it was not checked as in the tutorial Jungle.
Well, do you want the perceived loudness of your files normalised? (See the Replay Gain site, wiki, etc. for more info.) I assume that in the case of ALAC, RG info is either not transferred or is mapped to Sound Check data. I would assume (and hope) that it is not irreversibly applied to the extracted data

Quote
On the first tab and the panel Flac, matching what the following options, should they be checked?

- "Allow to embed cue sheet",
Are you saving cue sheets? If so, do you want to embed them?
Quote
- "Set 'OGGs' filetype'
Assuming this option saves FLACs as Ogg FLAC rather than native FLAC, not unless you have a specific reason to use the former.
Quote
- "Correct the error" 30 samples Moved offset "[/b]
This refers to whether you want to use the 'reference' offset, as introduced by Andre in EAC and used in all later offset-supporting applications, or the 'corrected' offset that would be the actual value used by 'correctly configured' pressing machines. This is the only option questioned by your post that will make a difference to the extracted audio. (See RG caveat above)
Quote
- "Prepend BOM (Byte Order Mark) When saving cue sheet"
This'll make no difference to the rip. I don't know whether a BOM could cause a funny character to appear at the end of the cue sheet in your chosen text editor (if you use one); if so, disable it.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Nitheeel on
- "Correct the error" 30 samples Moved offset "

OMG, seriously?  I wonder how many people got upset over the presence of this setting.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Nitheeel on
@ wkmax, On this tab I have not many questions. Both tutorials are almost in agreement except on the use of ReplayGain, should it be used or not? On the link you gave me, it was not checked as in the tutorial Jungle.


Some time ago I asked directly to tmkk (the developer of XLD) about the Scan ReplayGain option, and this was his response:

- Why is not recommended to activate "Scan ReplayGain" option in XLD?

No special reason. The option doesn't affect the quality at all, so you can turn it on without any drawbacks. When you turn on the option to scan ReplayGain, the peak level is automatically detected and recorded in the log. Only written in the log file and cue sheet (if exists).

Conclusion: Scan ReplayGain is optional, doesn't affect the quality at all, is similar to EAC peak level in the log.

Regards 

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: greynol on
Quote from: Nitheeel on
- "Correct the error" 30 samples Moved offset "

OMG, seriously?  I wonder how many people got upset over the presence of this setting.


There were one or two shrill proponents demanding this option in XLD. Tmkk likes to accommodate feature requests, so he added it. His application; his choice. Fair enough.

It is easy enough for me to ignore it, but I do get tired of having to explain to new XLD users what this option is all about.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #8 –
[quote name='Nitheeel' date='Aug 5 2010, 20:43' post='717001']
@ Billytheonion, Sorry, but I prefer to use the ALAC on my iPod Classic 160 GB as AAC. I want to use the Flac format because it is a free and open, it is more likely to be readable in 10 years that the Apple Lossless would be.


Thats fair enough and your choice. Though using ALAC on a iPOD is pointless. I feel if one format was not to be playable in 10 years from now it wouldn't be ALAC.I only recommended ALAC because using FLAC on OS X is a major pain in the butt.

Managing 2 lossless libraries, i don't get it.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #9 –
Thank you. My configuration was already quite good for this tab?

On this tab, I have one last question concerning the character encoding of the cue file, it is the best standard to choose for greater legibility in time?

Regarding the second tab "Batch" I do not understand all the options, what are the best to use? Why?



@ Billytheonion, I will not have to manage two libraries. Before importing I'm tagging the files. Once it done, I archive files Flac and Alac on my hard drives. And I use Alac files in iTunes, there's nothing to manage. Everything is defined once and for all imports.

Configuring X Lossless Decoder.

Reply #10 –
The batch tab is good for when you are converting from files you have in a structure and you want it to convert and keep that structure. If ripping from Cd's then you can leave everything as it is.

When ripping cd's i have found no way to have the files places into a folder with the album name XLD only spits out individual files. Organising these manually is a pain in the arse especially fi you are going to be ripping to 2 formats. ALAC you can just drag t itunes and have iTunes clean it al up for you but the flacs will have to be done manually.