I decided to write this thread after not being able to find any standard way of creating an Image compressed with FLAC. This guide is the best way I have found so far, hope it's useful.
1. Open EAC (http://www.exactaudiocopy.org/) [/b][/color]
a. Drive Setup (done once):. Insert an audio CD into your drive and open EAC
. Click
EAC\Drive Options (F10) on the menu bar, select the
Extraction Method tab & then press the
Detect Read Features.... button. Wait for EAC to finish analyzing your drive then take a note of your drive's features & press the
OK button
. Select:
Secure mode with the following drive features (recommended);
Feature:
Caching/Drive caches audioIf EAC reports "Caching: Yes" your drive caches audio data, every sector read will be read from cache and is identical, this will increase the probability of errors & cause a speed decrease. EAC needs to clear the cache by overreading it, enable this by ticking the "drive caches audio" box.
Tip: EAC may misinform about audio caching, as an alternative you can use
Feurio's (http://www.feurio.com/English/Download/download_install.shtml) audio caching test found in Feurio.exe\Ctrl+Alt+P\Test device\Cache test.
Tip: Some drives disable audio caching at low speeds; if your drive is set to DMA transfer mode, try changing it to PIO only transfer mode, then re-test for caching and set back to DMA mode.
Feature:
Accurate Stream/Drive has ‘Accurate Stream’ featureIf EAC reports "Accurate Stream: Yes", you have a decreased probability of errors.
Feature:
"C2 Error Info/Drive is capable of retrieving C2 error information"With C2 enabled, EAC's error detection becomes dependent on the drives C2 accuracy which varies from drive to drive and increases the probability of errors. This feature also results in a speed increase, because EAC doesn't read the data twice anymore. If your drive supports this feature and you decide to use it, enable this by ticking the C2 Error Info box.
Tip: To determine your drives C2 accuracy you could attempt to create a
DAE Quality (http://www.exactaudiocopy.org/eac13.html) test CD.
Tip:
The Coaster Factory (http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eacoffsets01.htm#-),
Eac-Audio.de (http://www.offsetbase.eac-audio.de/offset-en.php) have databases with user reported drive settings, you can use them to determine the appropriate features for your drive.
b. Extraction (done every time you create an image):. Retrieve CD information or enter it manually, e.g. artist, album, track names (will be present in the CUE Sheet). Check for spelling errors using the original CD booklet/inlay.
. Click
Action\Copy Image & create CUE Sheet\Uncompressed (Alt+F7). A Save Waveform dialog box will open, input your desired name & press the
Save button.
2. Open FLAC Frontend (http://cyberial.com/flacinstaller.asp)[/b][/color]
Tick only:
- Verify (verifies there were no errors during encoding)
- Add tags (Set-up tag conf. fields & set Filename scheme to Custom: X)
- Replaygain (http://replaygain.hydrogenaudio.org/) (stores replaygain values, doesn't modify the original audio data)
- Cuesheet (http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#general__no_cuesheet_tags) (Created by EAC, Set full path)
- Delete input files (removes input wave file)
Then press
encode.
NEW![/color]
Tip: You can now store CD TEXT within your FLAC image using
Foobar (http://www.foobar2000.org/download.html); just open your CUE sheet with notepad then copy contents & paste it into the cuesheet tag of the FLAC image file within foobar
Tip: Keep the external CUE Sheet to display your image's tracks in Winamp using this (http://www.guerillasoft.nstemp.com/mp3cue/mp3cue0.94.zip) plugin & for later restoring your image to a compliant audio CD
3. Open Burnatonce (http://www.burnatonce.com/downloads/)[/b]
Mastering\Data DVD(or CD)\ISO Settings
Tick only:
- Compliant PVD
- ISO9660:1999
- Joliet Names
- Long Joliet Names
- UDF v1.02
- Rock Ridge
This will allow maximum character & folder limits
Press OK, drag & drop your files, compile then press write.
Tip: Burn with UDF directory records,
Par(2) (http://www.quickpar.org.uk/Download.htm) recovery volumes &/or
SFV (http://web.utk.edu/~mmurph13/bssite/applications/easy_sfv_creator/downloads)/
MD5 (http://web.utk.edu/~mmurph13/bssite/applications/easy_md5_creator/downloads) checksums to be sure you have the best error detection & recovery.
And that's all you need to do to create a lossless back-up.
Image Restoration[/color]
In this section of the guide we will restore our back-up to a compliant audio CD, this will be useful if your original CD becomes damaged or lost.
Copy your backed-up image & EAC generated CUE sheet to where EAC originally extracted them on your hard drive so that the paths in the CUE sheet are correct
a. DecodingOpen: FLAC Frontend then input your FLAC image file (.FLAC file) you just copied to your hard disk
Press:
decode, this will restore your FLAC image back to WAV making it compatible with your EAC generated CUE sheet.
b. BurningOpen: EAC then go to
Tools\Write CD-R (Alt-W), the EAC Writer window will open
Go to:
File\Load CUE Sheet, open your working folder & select the EAC generated CUE then press
OpenGo to:
CD-R\write CD, then select
Close CD & press
Make It So to begin writing.
Tip: Write at low speeds for best results.
And that's all you need to do to restore your back-up.
LinksLossless Audio comparisons- Omion's (http://people.ucsc.edu/~rswilson/flactest/) FLAC comparisons
- FLAC (http://flac.sourceforge.net/comparison.html) multi-format comparisons
- Speek's (http://members.home.nl/w.speek/comparison.htm) multi-format comparisons
- HansHeijden's (http://web.inter.nl.net/users/hvdh/lossless/lossless.htm) multi-format comparisons
- TTA (http://tta.corecodec.org/codec.comparison) multi-format comparisons
Other lossless guides- Synthetic Soul's Monkey's Audio guide (http://www.neilpopham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cd_backup.html)
- Eli's FLAC + EAC guide (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=30959)
Other tools- .mp3size (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=1076) - calculates & compares space used by lossy, lossless & uncompressed
- FLACATTACK (http://www.uninformative.com/flacattack/) - Automates ripping to a image, encoding to FLAC & creating mp3's (file per track) for playback
- Burrrn (http://www.burrrn.net) - Automates image restoration, decoding & burning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reason I prefer UDF is for compatibility (as with FLAC) also it's support for long file names & becasue it's a newer standard it should have superior error correcting compared to ISO 9660.
I'm not going to try to sell using images instead of tracks just wanted to try to help those who prefer it for what ever reason. The reason I create an image rather than multiple files for back-ups (to DVD-R) is just that I find it a neater way of storing the data, tracks, pauses/hidden tracks, all the CD data is together, 1 CD = 1 file. I also use EAC to split the image at the CUE points & create APS mp3's for playback but I like to have a lossless image backed-up & stored in a safe place.
wetgroveg,
Why do you suggest UDF formatted rom vs iso formatted?
Why do you prefer to burn an image rather than ripping separate tracks and compressing the separate tracks with flac? When using flac with EAC to make separate comressed tracks, it is a one step process resulting in compressed and tagged tracks.
Actually, I have noticed a fair amount of interest in ripping and compressing images around here. Other than the ability of foobar to play these images back using the cue sheet is there some other benefit? So far I have only used the copy image feature of EAC to do a CD to CD copy (usually burning with some app other than EAC) and then I discard the image.
IIRC this is useful with CDs that have "hidden" music before track 1. Otherwise a useless pain IMO.
Why do you suggest UDF formatted rom vs iso formatted?
Hi Calufraxis,
I think westgroveg prefers UDF because the length of your directory-/file-names is not limited there.
Extensive directory-/file-names will be truncated with ISO-filesystem.
Cya Ryushi
Thanks Ryushi,
I never really had a problem with filenames so I didn't even consider that very compelling argument. Everything I do is to "uberstandard" with only 1 level of directories.
But if Westgroveg is ripping to single file, I wonder if there might be more to it in his thinking.
Westgroveg, is that the only reason? Also, continue to update this thread as you refine your process.
Thanks everyone!
Later,
Cal
IIRC this is useful with CDs that have "hidden" music before track 1. Otherwise a useless pain IMO.
IIARC, EAC appends the music occuring before track 1, TO track 1; but again, we are both using that good ol' acronym to protect our backs...I think we need to look this up.
UDF also offers better immunity to read errors, which is important when your discs start aging.
UDF also offers better immunity to read errors, which is important when your discs start aging.
Verification of this statement, please?
UDF also offers better immunity to read errors, which is important when your discs start aging.
Interesting, give URL, please.
Why do you prefer to burn an image rather than ripping separate tracks and compressing the separate tracks with flac? When using flac with EAC to make separate comressed tracks, it is a one step process resulting in compressed and tagged tracks.
Actually, I have noticed a fair amount of interest in ripping and compressing images around here. Other than the ability of foobar to play these images back using the cue sheet is there some other benefit? So far I have only used the copy image feature of EAC to do a CD to CD copy (usually burning with some app other than EAC) and then I discard the image.
My rationale for wanting image encoding with embedded cue sheet is for archive purposes and simplicity of management. With this method, I get a single file from which I can generate any combination of individual tracks or gapless music (megamixes, spoken word albums and whatnot) for any supported lossy codec that comes down the line, in order to support any future hardware needs, without having to go back to the original CDs. I can generate a batch of lower-bitrate mp3s or aacs for my ipod, or higher quality mp3s or even wavs for my audiotron. As new codecs and hardware arrive on the scene, I can generate a copy of my entire music library for them, since everything I own will be in this base format.
It's basically an exact digital replica of my CD collection that's much easier to access and manage than a huge stack of CDs.
UDF also offers better immunity to read errors, which is important when your discs start aging.
I have googling around for a while with no luck.
In the page of UDF creator (http://www.osta.org/) I haven't found too much about error protection.
Someone knows about this?
UDF also offers better immunity to read errors, which is important when your discs start aging.
Verification of this statement, please?
Sorry, but I can't offer any. I'm quite sure I read this in a reliable context, but now I don't remember where. I'll have to take back that statement, then...
edit - I hope it wasn't here: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....indpost&p=73764 (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=7472&view=findpost&p=73764) - if it was, I have just been caught in the act of echoing unverified info...
I'm sure this was well-intentioned but it's far from the definitive approach that making this a sticky here would suggest. A few specific comments:
The Coaster Factory has a new address (http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac02.htm#-). Though the discussion above is reasonably on-the-mark, the settings page there is a good place to look to give you a better understanding of what they mean.
Does it make sense to recommend the routine use of replaygain, with no explanation? It adds processing time, might not be used at all by some (or most) people, and seems of limited value on a disc image.
Many people would find it more convenient to create a file for each track.
Presumably you are suggesting you might use par2 (not the obsolete par) - see the QuickPar site (http://www.quickpar.org.uk/) for the current version of excellent Windows software; or parchive.sourceforge.net (http://parchive.sourceforge.net/). Mac OS X users may find MacPar deLuxe (http://www.xs4all.nl/~gp/MacPAR_deLuxe/) useful but IIRC it doesn't support par2 creation yet.
Is there any way to do this and keep the track names so I don't have to manually type them in foobar?
ISO vs UDF:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allcam/cdformat.html (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allcam/cdformat.html)
UDF is also used by CD-R and CD-RW in a process called packet writing that makes CD writing more efficient in terms of the time and disk space required.
Buzzy's suggestions added,
-Changed Coaster Factory link
-Changed PAR2 link
-Added Replaygain homepage link
I have no objections for changing the thread title "EAC+FLAC IMAGE - guide to creating a lossless image".
I have no objections for changing the thread title "EAC+FLAC IMAGE - guide to creating a lossless image".
I'd have to agree. A back-up, the term you used in the topic title, in my view, is something you're not planning to use for a long time, if ever, just to be able to fall back on in case your
regular files are damaged or lost. Which is why I favour La for that purpose. It squeezes out every last byte it can.
FLAC is my codec of choice for listening and transcoding, in short everyday use. But just like I have a habit of RAR'ing up my entire software collection at the highest compression before archiving it to a back-up hard disk, hoping I won't need it for months to come, I use La (-high -noseek) to achieve maximum compression for my music before stowing it away. FLAC's streamability and seekability are just of no use there, as they would just sit there untouched.
So it's actually all a matter of terminology. To me, a lossless back-up serves no purpose but as a life buoy. Fluent playability or any other feature are of no importance then, just utmost compression. So in the case of this FLAC sticky, I second your proposition. Backing-up and long-time archiving is not what FLAC is for.
I just tried using this method, everything seems ok (FLAC doesn't report any errors) but the tags don't seem to work in foobar.
Foobar recognises the embedded cue in the .flac but each track is titled the same (just the name of the file).
Any ideas? Thanks!
edit > Or do I have to do this manually? Would be nice to have the frontend do it for you
Just for completeness, unless I'm misunderstanding step 3, should there also be a "Step 4. (Restoring the image)" (i.e. in the event that you later loose or scratch your original CD)? Maybe something like:
Step 4 (Restoring the image)
- Convert flac file back to wave file (i.e. flac -d CDImage.flac) (or substitute you favorite method (i.e. with FLAC FrontEnd, Frontah, etc)
- EAC | Tools | Write CD-R...
- File | Load CUE Sheet...
- Select the CUE sheet file
- CD-R | Write CD...
(above with write setting in EAC already set with correct write offset for your CD-RW drive, CD-Text either checked or unchecked depending on your preference, etc.)
On a side note, I've never had any problems with overreading or overwriting with EAC on any of my drives that do support it (i.e. Plextor PX-W4824A) but obviously does not overread / overwrite on drives that do not support it (i.e. the Matshita UJ-811). I suppose there could be a case where there may a specific drive that does support overreading / overwriting where it still does not work with EAC for that particular drive but I've never run into that case myself.
Yes keiths that's a good idea I also would like to add a step for cutting at CUE points & encoding to mp3 for general playback & a few updates to the Burnatonce part, when I get time I'll update the guide.
keiths suggestions added,
-Image Restoration section added
Hey guys, should I press "f4" to test out the gaps before I create the image or creating the image will result in the gaps saved in the .cue file? Thx
Also do I need to give the .cue and .wav file a filename? Or that isn't important? Cuz that menu pops up and ask me where to save...
westgroveg thanks for your very informative guide. I have a couple of questions though.
- Do you save the .wav and .cue with the default name or do you give them the albums name?
- I have the same problem as Abomination. Foobar recognises the embedded cue in the .flac but each track is titled the same... is there any fix for this?
westgroveg thanks for your very informative guide. I have a couple of questions though.
- Do you save the .wav and .cue with the default name or do you give them the albums name?
- I have the same problem as Abomination. Foobar recognises the embedded cue in the .flac but each track is titled the same... is there any fix for this?
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=229330"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
You must leave the .wav file name as it was when EAC created it otherwise the CUE sheet will point to the wrong file, now that I think about it you must also place your wav file & CUE sheet where they where created by EAC otherwise it will look in the wrong place. I'll update this too.
Tip: If you wish to have track names in the tag you can do this through Foobar (right click track\Show file info\Add new\Title\ & Enter Field value).
Case did post that you can now add CUE sheets with track names or CD TEXT with foobar but when I tried to do this it didn't work so I can't comment on it right now.
For those having trouble with filenames after encoding to FLAC:
open the CUE file, look for "filename.wav" WAV
change .wav to .flac and WAV to FLAC and you're good to go.
Note that when decoding the flac, you'll have to change this back (or create 2 cue files).
I have 2 copies of my albums. One encoded with FLAC to listen to while at my computer, and another encoded with aps lame to put on my mp3 player. It works for me
For those having trouble with filenames after encoding to FLAC:
open the CUE file, look for "filename.wav" WAV
change .wav to .flac and WAV to FLAC and you're good to go.
Note that when decoding the flac, you'll have to change this back (or create 2 cue files).
I have 2 copies of my albums. One encoded with FLAC to listen to while at my computer, and another encoded with aps lame to put on my mp3 player. It works for me
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=232869"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
That's a good idea, when you want to restore the image you will have to change the extention back to .wav though. The MP3 CUE Winamp plugin worked fine with out having to do any thing like that though.
I'll add that tip to the guide also.
You don't have to change WAV to FLAC, just .wav to .flac. Also, once you do this, you can burn the cue sheets as is with Burrrn.
You don't have to change WAV to FLAC, just .wav to .flac. Also, once you do this, you can burn the cue sheets as is with Burrrn.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=233252"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Then you would have to download & install burrrn. I would like to make this guide as simple as possible with the least amount of steps & programs needed. This guide is targeted at novice users who want to get fast FAQ's on creating lossless images & start ripping without having to read a hundred threads & try a hundred programs.
I am just wondering for someone with hundreds of CDs to archive and not a lot of spare time, why they just wouldn't go the faster way of EAC+MAREO ( FLAC & Ogg Files). I not only generate the FLAC files but I also have smaller Ogg files for my portable player.
Sean
You don't have to change WAV to FLAC, just .wav to .flac. Also, once you do this, you can burn the cue sheets as is with Burrrn.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=233252"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Then you would have to download & install burrrn. I would like to make this guide as simple as possible with the least amount of steps & programs needed. This guide is targeted at novice users who want to get fast FAQ's on creating lossless images & start ripping without having to read a hundred threads & try a hundred programs.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=233255"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I am just wondering for someone with hundreds of CDs to archive and not a lot of spare time, why they just wouldn't go the faster way of EAC+MAREO ( FLAC & Ogg Files). I not only generate the FLAC files but I also have smaller Ogg files for my portable player.
Sean
You don't have to change WAV to FLAC, just .wav to .flac. Also, once you do this, you can burn the cue sheets as is with Burrrn.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=233252"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Then you would have to download & install burrrn. I would like to make this guide as simple as possible with the least amount of steps & programs needed. This guide is targeted at novice users who want to get fast FAQ's on creating lossless images & start ripping without having to read a hundred threads & try a hundred programs.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=233255"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=236235"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
That’s up to you, If you prefer multiple files, sure MAREO is a good way to go.
Only thing is this guide is more for backing up not playback. You back-up your lossless, then transcode it to the format of the month for playback.
hi
is there an easy way in the flac frontend to load a cue sheet ? the" Cuesheet" text area where we have to write the full path isn't user friendly
i'm using flac frontend 1.7.1
apologies if i'm missing something
+
hi
is there an easy way in the flac frontend to load a cue sheet ? the" Cuesheet" text area where we have to write the full path isn't user friendly
i'm using flac frontend 1.7.1
apologies if i'm missing something
+
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=237351"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Just leave the CUE sheet name to CDImage (or always use the same name) & you don't ever have to change the path.
I just tried using this method, everything seems ok (FLAC doesn't report any errors) but the tags don't seem to work in foobar.
Foobar recognises the embedded cue in the .flac but each track is titled the same (just the name of the file).
Any ideas? Thanks!
edit > Or do I have to do this manually? Would be nice to have the frontend do it for you
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=223174")
Have there been any steps toward storing track information in .flac's with an imbedded CUE block? I know they avoided the issue officially ([a href="http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#general__no_cuesheet_tags]http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#gener...o_cuesheet_tags[/url]), but I was just wondering if anyone else came up with anything helpful for this problem.
I just tried using this method, everything seems ok (FLAC doesn't report any errors) but the tags don't seem to work in foobar.
Foobar recognises the embedded cue in the .flac but each track is titled the same (just the name of the file).
Any ideas? Thanks!
edit > Or do I have to do this manually? Would be nice to have the frontend do it for you
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=223174")
Have there been any steps toward storing track information in .flac's with an imbedded CUE block? I know they avoided the issue officially ([a href="http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#general__no_cuesheet_tags]http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#gener...o_cuesheet_tags[/url]), but I was just wondering if anyone else came up with anything helpful for this problem.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
(http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=239414")
Latest version of foobar FLAC component can now save and use metadata info properly with one file albums. It will store cuesheet with metadata in vorbis comment block and converts CDDB style tags to this new format on load. And if your file doesn't have CDDB style tags just copy paste the contents of your whole .cue into 'cuesheet' tag and make foobar reload tags.
[a href="http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=22990&hl=]http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....topic=22990&hl=[/url]
Can anyone confirm if this is actually working?
Can anyone confirm if this is actually working?
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=239417")
I get this error when I right click on properties of a track and try to edit the Title (loaded the .flac only, not the .cue - loading the cue edits the .cue but doesnt add metadata to the .flac)
INFO (CORE) : location: "file://F:\personal\dj dara - the antidote\image\CDImage.flac" (1)
INFO (CORE) : attempting to edit file info : file://F:\personal\dj dara - the antidote\image\CDImage.flac
WARNING (CORE) : file info update failure on : file://F:\personal\dj dara - the antidote\image\CDImage.flac
anyone?
edit:
Sorry, I neglected to install the updated foo_flac.dll ([a href="http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/foobar2000/foo_flac.zip]http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/foobar2000/foo_flac.zip[/url]) It works great now.
The component saves a plain-text CUE sheet as a Vorbis comment (cuesheet=), not a bad idea but gives us redundant data, because indexes are already stored in the flac cuesheet block. In my opinion it's better than having an external cuesheet. Thanks for the link.
westgroveg thanks for your very informative guide. I have a couple of questions though.
- Do you save the .wav and .cue with the default name or do you give them the albums name?
- I have the same problem as Abomination. Foobar recognises the embedded cue in the .flac but each track is titled the same... is there any fix for this?
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=229330"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I'm not sure I am following this thread because you guys are very knowledgeable of the process but seem to be running into in issue about metadata in cue files (tracks, title, lenght, etc.) that is easily solved with freedb, either as you are ripping them in EAC, or later reading them in foobar (with foobar_freedb.dll).
Here's what I do (I need wav files for encoding in iTunes for my iPod; I need flac files to both archive and play in foobar):
1) Rip in EAC:
Follow same setup as most, create image and cue sheet, uncompessed.
Insert Abbey Road cd in drive and, when loaded, let EAC populate track names, etc through freedb (hitting the freedb cd-looking icon). I name the cue file "BeatlesAbbeyRoad" and it appends .cue and .wav of course to the two files generated.
2) Encode the wav file to 24 AAC for iTunes/iPod
Fire up iTunes and load the beatles AbbeyRoad.cue file into daemon manager (virtual cd drive) so iTunes thinks it's a cd. Encode away with iTunes.
3) Archive the wav files to flac
I use flac frontend and choose all the new wav files I've ripped (in this example, BeatlesAbbeyRoad.wav) and ecode to a "flac archive" folder on my 160 gig dedicated hard drive (drive f).
I also move the cue files into two folders, the same one on drive f "flac archive" (I'll be using these in foobar when I edit the cue file) and to a folde ron c called "decode" (where they will sit and wait for any later decoded flac-to-wav files; very small folder, 1-2k sized files each).
I delete the wav files that sat in the folder that EAC stuffed them in. DOn;t need them anymore.
4) Use flac in foobar.
BeatlesAbbeyRoad.flac is ready for use, and BeatlesAbeeyRoad.cue is not. I edit the cue file (that usually includes track info, etc from EC's freedb population) to simply change the master file name from .wav to .flac, and hit save. Foobar now gets the .cue file and it shows up with all the track, title, genre info you will need. HOWEVER, even if it doesn't (cuz you f'd up the EAC/freedb process or you want more info), foobar's _freedb.dll lets you populate automagically. Highlight the 14 tracks that now say BeatlesAbbeyRoad.flac (they wouldn't in this example cuz they have track names, etc. but humor me) and right click and go to "get tags". Freedb presents you with a number of freedb database examples for Abbey Road and you pick the one you like best and hit enter. The 14 lines of redundant file names automagically become an album.
I have a screenshot but don't know how to do images.....
So I have a flac file, a back-up (on an external hd) two cue files and a 224AAC iTunes album, all done with no manual entries and 10 seconds of editing
Ted_B
ISO vs UDF:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allcam/cdformat.html (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allcam/cdformat.html)
UDF is also used by CD-R and CD-RW in a process called packet writing that makes CD writing more efficient in terms of the time and disk space required.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=212414"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I checked some other info from that website. I'm not sure I would give the author much credit for accuracy when I find something like this:
"If you wish to have two or more operation system on the same computer, such as Windows 98 in one partition and Windows XP in another partition; you'd better choose FAT32, otherwise you can not access the Windows 98 partition when you are running Windows XP, or access the Windows XP partition when you are running Windows 98."
Pure nonsense. XP can read and write to partitions containing Windows 98 that are formatted Fat32. Of course the second point is correct, 98 can't read (or write) to NTFS.
I think for someone who has hundreds of CD's to rip/encode this is not a good process to follow.
At the moment (after much research and deliberation) I have configured EAC and MAREO to rip/encode/tag to FLAC and MP3 simultaneously whilst specifying separate file paths.
Once everything is configured this is just a ONE STEP process.
I then burn the FLACs to DVD(-R) as a data disc using Nero Express. Yeah, you can muck around with PAR2 but its not necessary with a HDD and DVD back up. There is a thing as too cautious.
Because of my settings (FLAC @ Q8/MP3 @ LAME APS) and system each album is about 12-15 minutes to rip/encode which may be too long for some. It did take a few weeks to do 230 CDs. I also did MP3Gain in 'album mode' to all MP3 files once I was finished ripping/encoding.
This way I have portable files and a lossless backup with the ability to encode to future codecs/formats. I would hate to rip the whole collection again.
If anyone could improve upon this process I would like to hear it.
There are many ways to skin a cat. Although this guide many not be the fastest, it provides users with the most practical freeware programs for creating highest quality audio back-up possible. you can't use Mareo to create an image & multiple wav files & why would you want to back-up lossless with a lossy format? doesn't make much sense to me. Anyway I think it's better for new users to become familiar with FLAC frontend because they will probably need to use it for other tasks too such as decoding, verifying & replaygain. I may add a section on configuring FLAC in EAC for those who want to simultaneously rip & encode.
And as the title of the thread says: EAC+FLAC Image.
I think for someone who has hundreds of CD's to rip/encode this is not a good process to follow.
At the moment (after much research and deliberation) I have configured EAC and MAREO to rip/encode/tag to FLAC and MP3 simultaneously whilst specifying separate file paths.
Once everything is configured this is just a ONE STEP process.
I then burn the FLACs to DVD(-R) as a data disc using Nero Express. Yeah, you can muck around with PAR2 but its not necessary with a HDD and DVD back up. There is a thing as too cautious.
Because of my settings (FLAC @ Q8/MP3 @ LAME APS) and system each album is about 12-15 minutes to rip/encode which may be too long for some. It did take a few weeks to do 230 CDs. I also did MP3Gain in 'album mode' to all MP3 files once I was finished ripping/encoding.
This way I have portable files and a lossless backup with the ability to encode to future codecs/formats. I would hate to rip the whole collection again.
If anyone could improve upon this process I would like to hear it.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=242971")
- Why use FLAC for archiving? With 230 albums you could have saved quite a few MB if you used La, Monkey's Audio, or Wavpack
- When you are talking a single backup of all your CDs I personally don't think PAR2 is overkill. You say you have a HDD and DVD backup, but if your FLACs are only on DVD - the MP3 files aren't a backup, but an alternative
I do agree, when archiving 230 CDs that the process needs to be as automated as possible. I wrote [a href="http://www.neilpopham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cd_backup.html]a guide to archiving using MAC, TAG, and PAR2[/url] to backup a CD. I have recently, finally, put this in to practice - with a couple of minor amendments. My batch files now move all files into an "Artist\Album" file structure after processing, and record each process in a single CSV file. This means I have a record of all CDs I have archived so far, against the DVD disc number (which I pass in EACs command line options). I was encoding as MP3 as well, but decided not to bother - I don't really like album MP3s - I prefer them split into tracks. It sounds like you are archiving track by track - I prefer a full disc image.
I think the point I am making here is:
there are many ways to skin a cat [span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%']
Edit 2005-01-13: Updated URL to blueyonder address[/span]
Why use FLAC for archiving? With 230 albums you could have saved quite a few MB if you used La, Monkey's Audio, or Wavpack
With 230 albums, the size difference between FLAC
-8 and La
-high would be a lot more than "quite a few MB". It would amount to some 6 GiB.
It all really depends on what you're planning to use your archive for. If it's just as a life buoy to save your CDs from future wear or destruction, then La or OptimFROG would be your best bet. If you do intend to actually listen to the files, then go for FLAC or WavPack.
Added
- Comparisons links
- Other guides links
Why use FLAC for archiving? With 230 albums you could have saved quite a few MB if you used La, Monkey's Audio, or Wavpack
With 230 albums, the size difference between FLAC -8 and La -high would be a lot more than "quite a few MB". It would amount to some 6 GiB.
It all really depends on what you're planning to use your archive for. If it's just as a life buoy to save your CDs from future wear or destruction, then La or OptimFROG would be your best bet. If you do intend to actually listen to the files, then go for FLAC or WavPack.
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I probably should have mentioned that as portable HDD players increase their capacity I will move toward using FLAC for portable listening.
Therefore, I will use my FLAC archive for back-up, transcoding to different and/or future codecs and possibly portable listening. In my case, FLAC is the best codec.
The other reason I don't like creating images is that I like to mix and match songs from different albums, create mixes et al. It's just too restrictive.
There are many ways to skin a cat. Although this guide many not be the fastest, it provides users with the most practical freeware programs for creating highest quality audio back-up possible. you can't use Mareo to create an image & multiple wav files & why would you want to back-up lossless with a lossy format?
And as the title of the thread says: EAC+FLAC Image.
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I've created a program similar to MAREO that
DOES allow you to encode to a flac image and individual lossy files. It is called Flacattack and you can find it at [a href="http://www.uninformative.com/flacattack]http://www.uninformative.com/flacattack[/url] for anybody that's interested.
There are many ways to skin a cat. Although this guide many not be the fastest, it provides users with the most practical freeware programs for creating highest quality audio back-up possible. you can't use Mareo to create an image & multiple wav files & why would you want to back-up lossless with a lossy format?
And as the title of the thread says: EAC+FLAC Image.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=243053")
I've created a program similar to MAREO that DOES allow you to encode to a flac image and individual lossy files. It is called Flacattack and you can find it at [a href="http://www.uninformative.com/flacattack]http://www.uninformative.com/flacattack[/url] for anybody that's interested.
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Added
-Other Tools subsection with a link to FLACATTACK
I have sent a PM with the same message, but I never see mine, so:
Can you please change the URL for my guide in the first post to:
http://www.neilpopham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cd_backup.html (http://www.neilpopham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cd_backup.html)
May I also take this opportunity to thank you for the reference.
Edit: I have seen your response to my PM. Thanks again. I guess it's just me then
Why do you prefer to burn an image rather than ripping separate tracks and compressing the separate tracks with flac? When using flac with EAC to make separate comressed tracks, it is a one step process resulting in compressed and tagged tracks.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=180403"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I want to do this... just like with Ogg... EAC rips the CD and then convert them to FLAC... but wich flac encoder can be used for this?
I just want to insert CD, press the button and there it goes... just like using lame or oggencoder.
I really see no reason why to do it with sooo many steps and different programs... while ONE CLICK produces same result...
and since FLAC is lossless... it is the format that can be used to encode to whatever you want (ogg/aac/mp3) so no need for having the cuesheet/image thing.
I want to do this... just like with Ogg... EAC rips the CD and then convert them to FLAC... but wich flac encoder can be used for this?
Any version of FLAC should work with EAC.
Version 1.1.2 is the latest:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=31273 (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=31273)
You can download it from RareWares:
http://www.rarewares.org/lossless.html (http://www.rarewares.org/lossless.html)
I want to do this... just like with Ogg... EAC rips the CD and then convert them to FLAC... but wich flac encoder can be used for this?
Any version of FLAC should work with EAC.
Version 1.1.2 is the latest:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=31273 (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=31273)
You can download it from RareWares:
http://www.rarewares.org/lossless.html (http://www.rarewares.org/lossless.html)
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yes... but then, when I compress a wav file or CD... after cdextraction it is finished... the encoder stops immediately and no flac file is created... I use this commandline (from [a href="http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/EAC/index.html):]http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/EAC/index.html):[/url]
FLAC:
3. Set file extension to .flac
4. Locate 'flac.exe' (version 1.0.4 or later needed)
5. Use command line -T "artist=%a" -T "title=%t" -T "album=%g" -T "date=%y" -T "tracknumber=%n" -T "genre=%m" %s
But even if I only use -T it also stops immediately!
using version 1.1.2
I have a quick question.
I have tried putting the full path to the cue file created but every time I am getting an error saying flac encoder initiate failed.
Can someone help here please.
I very much prefer this method but right now am getting very irritated with the constant changes and cuts I am having to take.
Any healp would go a long way.
Kunwar
after cdextraction it is finished... the encoder stops immediately and no flac file is created...
Are the WAV files created?
When you start the audio extraction are you clicking the "MP3" button or the "WAV" button? The WAVs will not be compressed into FLAC files if you're using the "WAV" button.
(Alternatively, you could use:
Action>Copy Selected Tracks>Compressed
or, more simply
Shft+F5.)
If that's not it, I'm afraid I don't know why the files aren't being compressed. I guess we'll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable to figure this one out...
I'm using version 1.1.2 with the same command line options as you (but I add the "-V"):
-V -T "Title=%t" -T "Artist=%a" -T "Album=%g" -T "TrackNumber=%n" -T "Date=%y" -T "Genre=%m" %s
so I know it works OK.
I followed this guide and like the idea quite a lot. My only issue is, I cannot seem to place Track Gain when I follow this guide. Every track has the same gain = album gain. I use fb2k but I don't think this is the issue.
Any ideas?
Well, guys, I have a question:
When I open my EAC, I found that there is no my physical Drive, but only my virtual ones in the list of the software, I don't know why
Well, guys, I have a question:
When I open my EAC, I found that there is no my physical Drive, but only my virtual ones in the list of the software, I don't know why
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=296627"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Sounds like an ASPI layer problem. Do a search here for ASPI and see what you get.
Well, guys, I have a question:
When I open my EAC, I found that there is no my physical Drive, but only my virtual ones in the list of the software, I don't know why
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=296627"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
If your OS is WinXp or Win2k you have to start EAC with admin-rights to get access to physical drives - maybe that's the problem.
Why do you prefer to burn an image rather than ripping separate tracks and compressing the separate tracks with flac? When using flac with EAC to make separate comressed tracks, it is a one step process resulting in compressed and tagged tracks.
Actually, I have noticed a fair amount of interest in ripping and compressing images around here. Other than the ability of foobar to play these images back using the cue sheet is there some other benefit? So far I have only used the copy image feature of EAC to do a CD to CD copy (usually burning with some app other than EAC) and then I discard the image.
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I like the option of editing the cuesheet without having to deal with the file itself. Example, theres a 13 min track on a cd i have, but 4 of those minutes are silence + bad bonus stuffs. I go into the cue sheet, make those last 4min a seperate track, load the cue in foobar, and just remove that track from the playlist.
but thats just a simple pro. It all comes down to preferance
Thanks a lot for a great guide.
Thank you for the guide!
If you just simply edit tags via Tag/Winamp/Foobar (I assume that's just going into the flac file, since it appears the cuesheet within doesn't change), will that at all interfere with trying to turn it back into an image for burning down the road?
If you have embedded the Cue Sheet into the 'CUESHEET' metadata block, then that will stay intact, but remember that there isn't any CD-TEXT stored in that block. If you have stored the Cue Sheet into the 'VORBIS_COMMENT' metadata block, as a 'CUESHEET' tag, and for example change a track title in fb2k, then the 'CUESHEET' tag will change accordingly in the FLAC image, but if you look at the 'CUESHEET' tag in fb2k's 'Properties' window, then it will look as if you haven't changed anything, and it will only show the change, if you select 'Reload Info From File'. So if you don't select 'Reload Info From File' before you copy/paste the contents of the 'CUESHEET' tag into a Cue Sheet file, then it will be the original Cue Sheet you will get...
-Martin.
As far as I know UDF error correction is no different to that used by ISO 9660. I don't have $370 to buy the appropriate standards to confirm however.
does anyone know of any players for linux that support flac disk images with cuesheets (imbedded or external)?
I want to setup a linux box as my media player, but if I can't find the proper support for cuesheets, then I'm either gonna have to resort to windows, or change my method of music storage
Why do you prefer to burn an image rather than ripping separate tracks and compressing the separate tracks with flac? When using flac with EAC to make separate comressed tracks, it is a one step process resulting in compressed and tagged tracks.
Actually, I have noticed a fair amount of interest in ripping and compressing images around here. Other than the ability of foobar to play these images back using the cue sheet is there some other benefit? So far I have only used the copy image feature of EAC to do a CD to CD copy (usually burning with some app other than EAC) and then I discard the image.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=180403"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I like the option of editing the cuesheet without having to deal with the file itself. Example, theres a 13 min track on a cd i have, but 4 of those minutes are silence + bad bonus stuffs. I go into the cue sheet, make those last 4min a seperate track, load the cue in foobar, and just remove that track from the playlist.
but thats just a simple pro. It all comes down to preferance
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=305983"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I ripped CDs into images cause I want to manage my music library as whole albums, not as seperated songs.
bit of a noob here, but cant u just create the image in flac directly from eac?? by electing Create image and quesheet > compressed...instead of doing it uncompressed and using flac frontend to convert to flac??
if u hav to use flac frontend to convert the one big wav file to flac, where do u input the flac command line options i.g. -8 -v etc??
is a quesheet only useful for burnin cds with? ill be using ipod/hdd from now on so would u recommend using/not using?!
Cheers
Matt
In FLAC Frontend there are selectable options for Verify and compression level etc... Also using -8 instead of -5(default) will only give you a neglible size difference and be about 4 times longer to encode... You can also encode the image to FLAC with EAC, you just need to setup flac.exe as an external compressor...
I myself rip to individual tracks without cuesheets... I don't make cuesheets because i only care about getting the audio data + the gaps extracted, but not about getting the gaps marked... Cuesheets only adds some subchannel data which will mark the gaps on the burned copy, which is used to display negative countdowns between tracks on a CD players display, and for skipping the gaps if the tracks is played in random order(i never play in random order(programmed play), and even if i did, then having the gaps played between tracks wouldn't annoy me)...
About the need of cuesheets :
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....&t=3922&hl=gaps (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=20&t=3922&hl=gaps)
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....=ST&f=20&t=1642 (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=20&t=1642)
-Martin.
Well, I though I knew a little about audio encoding before I found this site but now I realized, I know nothing <deflated>. So, consider me a total newbie and please forgive the perhaps elementary recap but my head is absolutely spinning. This is a long way from WMP10 (which I'm embarrassed to admit I was using).
I was planning to encode only to lossy but have revised that idea after coming to this forum. This is what I'd like to do with my digital audio, perhaps you can confirm/dissuade this guide is the way to go.
1) I'd like to encode lossless so that I can convert to lossy limitless times (varying types/bitrates to suit needs at the time). This will also serve as my back up and source if I need to burn a traditional CD.
2) I'd like to be able to have gapless playback on my PC, DAP, and for making mp3 cds (I didn't think this was possible until finding this forum - thanks for that).
3) I'd like to have the option of splitting up albums into individual tracks for mixing (especially when encoding lossy) or leaving as an "image" for gapless playback all keeping the file/tag information intact.
4) I'm new at this, so ease and simplicity would be wonderful.
I realize that this and SO much more was covered in this thread but SO much that I got a bit lost. Will the method used in the beginning of this thread allow me to do the above?
Thank you in advance for your help and patience.
I was wondering if there is anything wrong with just creating a FLAC album image through EAC first, then splitting it up for easy listening into individual tracks.
If the originals ever break, get stolen, spontaneously combust, then you just rejoin the files (and burn with the cuesheet you kept).
Or does this still mess with the "purity" of the image?
I was wondering if there is anything wrong with just creating a FLAC album image through EAC first, then splitting it up for easy listening into individual tracks
[..]
Or does this still mess with the "purity" of the image?
was wondering about the same thing, *lol*
also it'd be nice if the current switches/commandlines for flac(& maybe the other losless
codecs) were displayed in the first post of this thread or another, - like has been done for other codecs.
-
Is there a way to extract the FLAC image into seprate MP3 tracks afterwards using EAC or another program?
Is there a way to extract the FLAC image into seprate MP3 tracks afterwards using EAC or another program?
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Yes, and probably the easiest is Foobar 2000. Load the .cue sheet in Foo and it'll present you with an album view. Select all the tracks and convert to individual files.
Why do you prefer to burn an image rather than ripping separate tracks and compressing the separate tracks with flac?
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DISCID (used by CDDB and others) is generated from composited disc material. To regenerate it requires the CD TOC to be whole.
Thus storing the tracks separately is inherently a lossy function (for metadata), assuming that the purpose of having discrete files is being able to manage them with standard filesystems, potentially disassociating tracks.
Even storing the DISCID with each track (assuming independently stored) doesn't satisfy me because of the high-collision rate of DISCID. LASSO and potential future formats utilize more information than DISCID does. (note that the audio fingerprint function of LASSO circumvents some of these issues)
What is your command line for EMBEDDED Cue-sheet in .flac?..
Is there a way to extract the FLAC image into seprate MP3 tracks afterwards using EAC or another program?
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Foobar2000 can do this using the diskwriter.
Is there a way to extract the FLAC image into seprate MP3 tracks afterwards using EAC or another program?
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Foobar2000 can do this using the diskwriter.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=371601"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Will it let me do it using settings I want according to the LAME encoder?
Sure will. You can pass the command line arguments you want.
does anyone know of any players for linux that support flac disk images with cuesheets (imbedded or external)?
I want to setup a linux box as my media player, but if I can't find the proper support for cuesheets, then I'm either gonna have to resort to windows, or change my method of music storage
i'd be curious to know this too, if any of you have figured it out...
On flac mailing list there was a guy who wrote a console player for FLACs. Maybe you could try to search that list and contact him.
I'm new to encoding with FLAC, so please excuse my ignorance. I have two questions:
1. Is step 3 necessary if I am ripping images to listen in foobar?
2. For the new tip on storing CD text within the image using foobar2000, where is the cuesheet tag?
My assumption is that it is missing either as a result of me not going through step 3, or I am looking in the wrong place.
I assumed it would be under properties (I load the flac file into foobar, select all the tracks, right click --> properties) but I do not see that tag.
When burning a FLAC image to CD and reripping, should I be getting the same checksums as the original CD?
When burning a FLAC image to CD and reripping, should I be getting the same checksums as the original CD?
Only if you are ripping it in EAC with the correct offsets, and burning it with the correct offsets and a cuesheet from EAC.
If gaps are appended to the previous track, cue sheets are not necessary to get the same checksums. Offset correction and overreading/overwriting are all that matter.
If gaps are appended to the previous track, cue sheets are not necessary to get the same checksums. Offset correction and overreading/overwriting are all that matter.
There could be issues if he burns it as you say, with a program that adds gaps between the tracks, and then he re-rips it, though.
Yeah. I don't think my drive does overreading and overwriting since it's an NEC, not a Plextor.
Also, I think I have it set up so the gaps are appended to the ends of the tracks. I use EAC + REACT2 and ACDIR. However ACDIR splits it up is how it goes.
How important are the checksums anyway?
Oh yeah, is there anyway to setup EAC so it can decode FLAC on-the-fly when burning CD-Rs, instead of decoding FLAC manually?
If gaps are appended to the previous track, cue sheets are not necessary to get the same checksums. Offset correction and overreading/overwriting are all that matter.
There could be issues if he burns it as you say, with a program that adds gaps between the tracks, and then he re-rips it, though.
Which program would that be? CUE sheets are not necessary for gapless audio.
Yeah. I don't think my drive does overreading and overwriting since it's an NEC, not a Plextor.
This is only an issue when the first track begins with and/or the last track ends in non-silent samples.
How important are the checksums anyway?
It's just an easy way to verify the data was correct.
Oh yeah, is there anyway to setup EAC so it can decode FLAC on-the-fly when burning CD-Rs, instead of decoding FLAC manually?
I don't think so, but I could be wrong. A lot of people use Burrrn to do this. If you have a drive with a write samples offset of 0 then you don't need to concern yourself with the fact that Burrrn doesn't have this option. Otherwise you can use a combined read/write offset correction on your rip or use a program like Moitah's WAV Tools prior to burning if you're concerned about this.
I like the convenience of this method and have been thinking about switching from track-based to image-based backup. Especially since REACT2 makes it so easy to create the image and lossy files at the same time while saving all the cue sheets and getting album art.
However, I'm not entirely convinced that images are the way to go. You can't use Test & Copy and you can't use AccurateRip. Am I just being anal and paranoid?
Would it be possible to improve the accuracy of some of the information mentioned in this guide?
My particular concerns are the following:
If EAC reports "Caching: Yes" your drive caches audio data, every sector read will be read from cache and is identical, this will increase the probability of errors & cause a speed decrease.
Tip: EAC may misinform about audio caching, as an alternative you can use Feurio's (http://www.feurio.com/English/Download/download_install.shtml) audio caching test found in Feurio.exe\Ctrl+Alt+P\Test device\Cache test.
Tip: Some drives disable audio caching at low speeds; if your drive is set to DMA transfer mode, try changing it to PIO only transfer mode, then re-test for caching and set back to DMA mode.