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: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC? (Read 84263 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #25
Also, what I don't understand about this table is how is it possible for FLAC to outperform MP3 in almost all devices while at the same time it is known that when FLAC files are used the battery of every DAP lasts much less than is the case of MP3 files.

http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/CodecPerformanceComparison


How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #26
Also, what I don't understand about this table is how is it possible for FLAC to outperform MP3 in almost all devices while at the same time it is known that when FLAC files are used the battery of every DAP lasts much less than is the case of MP3 files.


Because FLAC was designed for speed of decoding - i.e., designed to decode with a low number of CPU calculations. MP3 had a totally different purpose, it was designed to compress well at least possible loss of audible quality.

There are also losslesses that compress a few percents better than FLAC, but which take a lot of time to decode. Like, in the more extreme modes, Monkey's Audio, OptimFrog and WavPack. Those modes sacrifice speed for compression. Not quality - they just spend more effort getting an efficient packing.

(TAK impresses me, it is more or less the only thing that can beat FLAC at both compression and time simultaneously. Not so sure about time anymore though.)

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #27
Because FLAC was designed for speed of decoding - i.e., designed to decode with a low number of CPU calculations. MP3 had a totally different purpose, it was designed to compress well at least possible loss of audible quality.

So the Decode time rates are not equivalent to the impact that the playback of each format has on the battery. ?'m not yet convinced that higher compressed FLAC files do not require a higher number of CPU calculations and therefore reduce the battery runtime.

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #28
A possible reason for battery drain: there's at least 3X more disk I/O for FLAC, because of it's size?

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #29
To be honest I don't remember which of the four default templates shows in the window.

[%directoryname%\]%filename%-new[%unique%].cue
will put the files in the same folder as the input. Be aware that files in use cannot be overwritten and will result in an error message.

[%directoryname%\]new[%unique%]\%filename%.cue
will put the files in a subfolder 'new' within the same folder as the input.

%music%\Converted\%artist%\[%year% - ]%album%[ '('disc %discnumberandname%')'][' ('%releasedateandlabel%')'][' ('%unique%')']\%artist% - %album%.cue
or
%music%\Converted\%artist%\[%year% - ]%album%[' ('%releasedateandlabel%')'][' ('%unique%')']\%artist% - %album%[ '('disc %discnumberandname%')'].cue
either of these will put files in your Windows Music folder in a subfolder 'Converted'.


I'm trying to use the last template, except I'd like output to appear as Artist\Album (Year)\... rather than Artist\Year - Album

Apologies, I know this is basic stuff but I just can't seem to work it out myself.

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #30
%music%\Converted\%artist%\%album%[' ('%year%')'][' ('%releasedateandlabel%')'][' ('%unique%')']\%artist% - %album%[ '('disc %discnumberandname%')'].cue
korth

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #31
%music%\Converted\%artist%\%album%[' ('%year%')'][' ('%releasedateandlabel%')'][' ('%unique%')']\%artist% - %album%[ '('disc %discnumberandname%')'].cue


Thank you. I couldn't get those brackets right.

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #32
Maybe if I explain a bit it will help.

[' ('%year%')']

[] makes it conditional (the square brackets won't be printed). If %year% doesn't have a value then everything between the [] won't be added.
() are reserved ([] as well). You need to wrap them between single quotes to use them as characters. '(' ')'
The placement of the space doesn't matter. This is the same:
[ '('%year%')']
korth

How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #33
Maybe if I explain a bit it will help.

[' ('%year%')']

[] makes it conditional (the square brackets won't be printed). If %year% doesn't have a value then everything between the [] won't be added.
() are reserved ([] as well). You need to wrap them between single quotes to use them as characters. '(' ')'
The placement of the space doesn't matter. This is the same:
[ '('%year%')']

I've only just discovered CueTools but I've struggled with the syntax before in Foobar & MP3tag. Sometimes, by trial and error, I get there but today...
I shall save the above for future reference. Thank you again.

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #34
Did you rename the flac image and not correct the CUE file?

filename.CUE should be in same folder as the flac image filename.flac
The flac image filename.flac should match what's in the CUE file
FILE "filename.flac" WAVE

Note: CUETools can usually autocorrect for filename.wav in the CUE file.
Note2: There is a Correct filenames tool in CUETools
select CUE file
Action: Correct filenames
Mode: Locate files
that will try to find the file(s) and correct the existing CUE (when Overwrite button is highlighted) or create a new filename.flac.cue CUE file. [edit] this tool locates minor filename differences, not for completely renamed files

i tried this and still get an "File must contain at least one audio track" error

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #35
Please post text from CUE.
korth

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #36
I figured it would be better to try and hop on an existing thread rather than start yet another newbie question thread.  I hope this is allowed.

I have been happily decoding single FLAC file albums for the last week using CUETools.  I always see it mentioned to do one album only, at a time, when decompressing the album into its individual tracks (still FLAC format).  I have noticed that when I do a single album (CUE & 1 FLAC file for entire album) I am asked to choose from a bunch of similar entries with the same Band/Album Title as what I'm decompressing.  I gather it gets this information from databases that know exactly what this album should look like, but there are usually different selections for different countries, or a re-issue might have a different date than the original...I get all of that.

Now, if I put a checkmark into a folder called Pink Floyd because I know it has 3 subfolders with different Pink Floyd albums, each containing proper CUE/FLAC, once I hit go it will run through all 3 of those albums decoding them into their respective directories.  When I do this, I notice that I'm no longer allowed to select the particular album information (country, record company, etc) that I always get to do if doing only one album at a time.  Does this cause problems?  Like I said, everywhere I've googled it always says to do one album at a time...well, then why is there even the capability to select a root directory with 3 subfolder albums or 20 subfolder albums?

I hope I've been clear.  If someone could expand on the subject of doing one CUE/FLAC album decompress into individual tracks, at a time versus selecting multiple albums to decompress.  The good, the bad & the ugly of this?  Thanks for your time.

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #37
CUETools will run in 'batch mode' (or 'automated mode') when it detects you are processing more than one CD rip. All pop-up windows are turned off when running in 'batch mode' so the user doesn't need to interact.
korth

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #38
CUETools will run in 'batch mode' (or 'automated mode') when it detects you are processing more than one CD rip. All pop-up windows are turned off when running in 'batch mode' so the user doesn't need to interact.
Yes.  That's what I trying to convey...I wish I had used the correct wording "Batch Mode".  Anyway, a few places said something like "Don't use Batch Mode.  Do multiple albums separately." Meaning, one by one.  I understand that in Batch Mode I will not be able to assign an exact CD (for tagging purposes) to that image, but off the top of my head I can't see any reason whatsoever not to use Batch Mode when facing 20 & 30 disc collections.  Perhaps I was reading old postings/websites?

I guess that's my question:  Is there any reason I wouldn't/shouldn't use Batch Mode?  Sorry for being so n00bish about this.  It's embarrassing, believe me.  I can't believe it's 2017 and I have to even ask these questions.

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #39
It's OK to split multiple Image+CUE to Tracks in 'batch mode'.
korth

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #40
Hi
I've run into an issue trying to split two flac files, one has side one of the wall and the other side 2. The two files and the cue sheet are in the same directory.
All seems fine, open cue file and it populates the fields correctly.  I then split the files, again all goes as it should and after a short processing time it asks which directory to store them, I pick the same directory.  Then it comes back as complete.  However there are no split files in the directory, just the two original files and cue sheet.
I've run out of ideas of what is going wrong.  I have done this process many times before without a glitch.  I've checked the PC to see if the files are being stored somewhere else, but it is not.   I have repeated this several times now, using different directories to save the files but no difference.  The strange thing is that the whole process seems to be fine, just no output even though Cue Splitter says complete.
Any ideas of what is going on are appreciated.


Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #41
nothing happens when i push  go button

settings checked and rechecked

using 2.1.6 version of cuetools to split a flac

please help

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #42
The input path points directly to the CUE file (or image with embedded CUE)?
korth

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #43
hello. New to cuetools and the forum here.
I'm currently redoing my whole music library. I have a bunch of "image/cue" files. I've used cuetools to split them into individual tracks and it works great. But a few, (hi-res I believe) I get the following error, "audio format is not Red Book PCM". What does it mean and how can I get cuetools to work with the file? I've searched on the internet and just end up getting more confused.
If cuetools won't work with hi-res files, is there a program that can take a hi-res flac/cue file and spit it accurately into individual tracks without loss of quality?
Additionally, what do you recommend for converting files? I used to use dbpoweramp for conversion from flac to mp3, but that was years ago.
thanks in advance for your help.

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #44
http://cue.tools/wiki/CUETools#Supported_formats
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Disc_Digital_Audio
CUETools will only accept 2-channel 16-bit 44,100 Hz PCM (or losslessly compressed) for input.
Try foobar2000 to split hi-res audio.
CUETools.Converter.exe is a command-line program for converting individual files. It is not limited to Red Book only. It cannot split image/cue though.
foobar2000 can convert individual files.
CUETools can convert all files from a CD (see above input limitation).
korth

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #45
thank you so much for the reply.
I'm actually trying to use foobar2000 as well but have an issue with it.
I load the cue sheets, it shows me the individual tracks. Highlight them all. right click and convert.  converter setup window appears.
Output format - flac, level five.
Destination -
Processing - none..
hit convert another window opens up asking to locate flac.exe. What is this?
is there a step by step instruction for dummies?

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #46
Did you add the Encoder Pack?
http://www.foobar2000.org/encoderpack
Edit: I see you already started a topic in the foobar2000 forums. Please ask any additional questions about foobar2000 there.
korth

Re: How do I use CUETools to split FLAC?

Reply #47
yes. I'd tried to keep each program separate
I will post in the foobar2000 forum for any other questions.
I do thank you for your help and responses though.
have a great weekend.