FLAC again - getting fed up now - help
Discussion
Me again.
While my recent Marantz NA7004 is proving an excellent purchase, I am fed up with trying - and failing - to get an appropriate music file system to work. All I want is a FLAC file to be copied and saved from a CD rip in a simple Artist/Album/Track format, with the tracks in the same order as they are on the CD, and the correct Artist/Album/Track name displayed rather than "Unknown". The correct album art would also be nice!
I have downloaded EAC and AutoFlac and read a re-read the read me file to create the correct file formats for AutoFlac to work with EAC but the moment I go to save the settings I get the message "invalid file format" appearing.
Am I stupid? Does it have to be so difficult? Works a treat with mp3 and WMA files but that's not really the point - if the machine can read lossless files, I'd like to be able to.
If someone can then recommend a based Windows media player that works effectively with DNLA devices (WMP won't aparently, according to Marantz today who suggested Twonky but this looks, well, "clonky").
So, calling on the armchair experts, again!
While my recent Marantz NA7004 is proving an excellent purchase, I am fed up with trying - and failing - to get an appropriate music file system to work. All I want is a FLAC file to be copied and saved from a CD rip in a simple Artist/Album/Track format, with the tracks in the same order as they are on the CD, and the correct Artist/Album/Track name displayed rather than "Unknown". The correct album art would also be nice!
I have downloaded EAC and AutoFlac and read a re-read the read me file to create the correct file formats for AutoFlac to work with EAC but the moment I go to save the settings I get the message "invalid file format" appearing.
Am I stupid? Does it have to be so difficult? Works a treat with mp3 and WMA files but that's not really the point - if the machine can read lossless files, I'd like to be able to.
If someone can then recommend a based Windows media player that works effectively with DNLA devices (WMP won't aparently, according to Marantz today who suggested Twonky but this looks, well, "clonky").
So, calling on the armchair experts, again!
Not really sure what you are asking for. A program to rip to flac or a program to play back?
I use dbpoweramp to rip, it's a paid for app but it just works. I think it's only failed to find a CD once and tag it properly. I playback on the PC using monkey media and round the house on squeezebox.
I use dbpoweramp to rip, it's a paid for app but it just works. I think it's only failed to find a CD once and tag it properly. I playback on the PC using monkey media and round the house on squeezebox.
davek_964 said:
I'm not sure why you need autoflac?
I use EAC to rip directly to FLAC - I didn't think I had any additional tools to do the FLAC part.
Thanks Both. If I use EAC on its own it gives all the files an unknown album/artist name. I can find the albums if I save them to a particular folder and go into "folder" view on the network player but the tracks (still with the correct names, thankfully) are now in alphabetical oder. The reference to Windows Player is that it can't read Flac files (although I gather there is a shareware fix for this too, but one thing at a time).I use EAC to rip directly to FLAC - I didn't think I had any additional tools to do the FLAC part.
How are you using EAC?
When I rip to FLAC using EAC, in the album folder it creates :
A single FLAC file
A single CUE file
A cover.jpg file (album art I guess)
I use squeezecenter on a NAS to stream to a squeezebox equivalent, which displays album / artist / track info (and plays albums in correct order), so EAC must be putting it all in those files.
When I rip using EAC, I use Action -> Copy and create CUE sheet -> Compressed.
Is that what you do?
When I rip to FLAC using EAC, in the album folder it creates :
A single FLAC file
A single CUE file
A cover.jpg file (album art I guess)
I use squeezecenter on a NAS to stream to a squeezebox equivalent, which displays album / artist / track info (and plays albums in correct order), so EAC must be putting it all in those files.
When I rip using EAC, I use Action -> Copy and create CUE sheet -> Compressed.
Is that what you do?
EAC should find the tags; it only missed a couple of CDs out of my 500 or so. Have you enabled the freedb metadata downloader within EAC?
If your file names are in the wrong format, use something like mp3tag to rename them based on the tags. mp3tag is compatible with .flac format. My files are in the format:
%tracknum% %title% - %artist%
which gives titles like:
01 I Should be so Lucky - Kylie Minogue.flac
... but as long as the tags are found by EAC you can easily rearrange these.
Mike...
If your file names are in the wrong format, use something like mp3tag to rename them based on the tags. mp3tag is compatible with .flac format. My files are in the format:
%tracknum% %title% - %artist%
which gives titles like:
01 I Should be so Lucky - Kylie Minogue.flac
... but as long as the tags are found by EAC you can easily rearrange these.
Mike...
When I use EAC to rip to flac initially the tracks shows as "track 1" etc when you first insert the cd, press the freedb button to fill in the details before you press the button to rip and you should be fine.
I've also set up EAC to sort the tracks in folders in the settings, I use artist/album/track number - title
I'd also recommend getting mp3tag as a tool for tidying up any tags and sorting out your existing files
I've also set up EAC to sort the tracks in folders in the settings, I use artist/album/track number - title
I'd also recommend getting mp3tag as a tool for tidying up any tags and sorting out your existing files
Foobar is pretty straightforward. Insert CD, file - open audio cd from foobar GUI. select rip, update files using freedb drop down, select output file type ( I use flac 5 ) and destination folder, back, rip.
Download and install mp3 tag, drag folder to GUI, select all, tag sources, amazon.com, follow prompts or just extract cover art and copy/paste to album art window.
I may have missed/got wrong a couple of steps, but it is fairly intuitive.
Download and install mp3 tag, drag folder to GUI, select all, tag sources, amazon.com, follow prompts or just extract cover art and copy/paste to album art window.
I may have missed/got wrong a couple of steps, but it is fairly intuitive.
If you have a spare computer (or a dedicated music server) you could try Vortex Box which is a full Linux distribution configured as a DLNA server and ripper - and it does a pretty good job of tagging tracks and obtaining the artwork.
I used it to rip my CD collection (which at the time was around 430) and there was only about 3 albums it didn't get artwork for.
I used it to rip my CD collection (which at the time was around 430) and there was only about 3 albums it didn't get artwork for.
JimbobVFR said:
When I use EAC to rip to flac initially the tracks shows as "track 1" etc when you first insert the cd, press the freedb button to fill in the details before you press the button to rip and you should be fine.
I've also set up EAC to sort the tracks in folders in the settings, I use artist/album/track number - title
I'd also recommend getting mp3tag as a tool for tidying up any tags and sorting out your existing files
Hi Jimbo, can you describe "exatly" how you specify the file system as this is where my copy of EAC keeps reporting "invalid file format"I've also set up EAC to sort the tracks in folders in the settings, I use artist/album/track number - title
I'd also recommend getting mp3tag as a tool for tidying up any tags and sorting out your existing files
JimbobVFR said:
When I use EAC to rip to flac initially the tracks shows as "track 1" etc when you first insert the cd, press the freedb button to fill in the details before you press the button to rip and you should be fine.
I've also set up EAC to sort the tracks in folders in the settings, I use artist/album/track number - title
I'd also recommend getting mp3tag as a tool for tidying up any tags and sorting out your existing files
Hi Jimbo, can you describe "exatly" how you specify the file system as this is where my copy of EAC keeps reporting "invalid file format"I've also set up EAC to sort the tracks in folders in the settings, I use artist/album/track number - title
I'd also recommend getting mp3tag as a tool for tidying up any tags and sorting out your existing files
nogsk said:
Foobar is pretty straightforward. Insert CD, file - open audio cd from foobar GUI. select rip, update files using freedb drop down, select output file type ( I use flac 5 ) and destination folder, back, rip.
Download and install mp3 tag, drag folder to GUI, select all, tag sources, amazon.com, follow prompts or just extract cover art and copy/paste to album art window.
I may have missed/got wrong a couple of steps, but it is fairly intuitive.
It's been a few years since I have ripped to FLAC, but Foobar is good.Download and install mp3 tag, drag folder to GUI, select all, tag sources, amazon.com, follow prompts or just extract cover art and copy/paste to album art window.
I may have missed/got wrong a couple of steps, but it is fairly intuitive.
I also used Winamp with FLAC plug ins which was pretty straightforward.
Maybe you should try dbpoweramp. It still supports AccurateRip, FLAC, etc but people seem to find it a bit more user friendly.
I think it costs $30 or so, but if it saves you time it might be worth it.
I think it costs $30 or so, but if it saves you time it might be worth it.
Thanks for all the help - I thought I would provide an update.
After finally listening to a "flac" file (Peter Gabriel's So - Remastered) while it sounded great over my AKG 550's, it was rather uncouth and boomy through the amp and nowhere near as good as playing the CD (as I suppose is to be expected) and strangely "cold", whether analogue or digital coax. However, I then copied it to MP3 320 format and it actually sounded easier to listen to, and a lot "warmer". So after all this messing around, I'll stick to this format, and save my best CD's for the CD player.
I could probably put a lot of this down to the quality of the interconnects, but if the CD version sounds fantastic with the current setup I would be wasting money to try to get the network player to sound as good. Age old story of using your own ears to judge rather than specifications and reviews I guess...
After finally listening to a "flac" file (Peter Gabriel's So - Remastered) while it sounded great over my AKG 550's, it was rather uncouth and boomy through the amp and nowhere near as good as playing the CD (as I suppose is to be expected) and strangely "cold", whether analogue or digital coax. However, I then copied it to MP3 320 format and it actually sounded easier to listen to, and a lot "warmer". So after all this messing around, I'll stick to this format, and save my best CD's for the CD player.
I could probably put a lot of this down to the quality of the interconnects, but if the CD version sounds fantastic with the current setup I would be wasting money to try to get the network player to sound as good. Age old story of using your own ears to judge rather than specifications and reviews I guess...
Mellow7 said:
Thanks for all the help - I thought I would provide an update.
After finally listening to a "flac" file (Peter Gabriel's So - Remastered) while it sounded great over my AKG 550's, it was rather uncouth and boomy through the amp and nowhere near as good as playing the CD (as I suppose is to be expected) and strangely "cold", whether analogue or digital coax. However, I then copied it to MP3 320 format and it actually sounded easier to listen to, and a lot "warmer". So after all this messing around, I'll stick to this format, and save my best CD's for the CD player.
I could probably put a lot of this down to the quality of the interconnects, but if the CD version sounds fantastic with the current setup I would be wasting money to try to get the network player to sound as good. Age old story of using your own ears to judge rather than specifications and reviews I guess...
A .flac file should sound exactly the same as the CD. Be aware that if you rip to mp3 you will be stuck with that format forever as it will not convert to other lossy formats well. I Would highly recommend taking the time to get your lossless rips working as you can then copy these 'masters' to any other format as required.After finally listening to a "flac" file (Peter Gabriel's So - Remastered) while it sounded great over my AKG 550's, it was rather uncouth and boomy through the amp and nowhere near as good as playing the CD (as I suppose is to be expected) and strangely "cold", whether analogue or digital coax. However, I then copied it to MP3 320 format and it actually sounded easier to listen to, and a lot "warmer". So after all this messing around, I'll stick to this format, and save my best CD's for the CD player.
I could probably put a lot of this down to the quality of the interconnects, but if the CD version sounds fantastic with the current setup I would be wasting money to try to get the network player to sound as good. Age old story of using your own ears to judge rather than specifications and reviews I guess...
Mike...
well done guys for wanting quality
the source material defines the quality of your hifi
here all you need to know about ripping/downloading and playback
http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Products
cheers
the source material defines the quality of your hifi
here all you need to know about ripping/downloading and playback
http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Products
cheers
Mellow7 said:
Thanks for all the help - I thought I would provide an update.
After finally listening to a "flac" file (Peter Gabriel's So - Remastered) while it sounded great over my AKG 550's, it was rather uncouth and boomy through the amp and nowhere near as good as playing the CD (as I suppose is to be expected) and strangely "cold", whether analogue or digital coax. However, I then copied it to MP3 320 format and it actually sounded easier to listen to, and a lot "warmer". So after all this messing around, I'll stick to this format, and save my best CD's for the CD player.
I could probably put a lot of this down to the quality of the interconnects, but if the CD version sounds fantastic with the current setup I would be wasting money to try to get the network player to sound as good. Age old story of using your own ears to judge rather than specifications and reviews I guess...
Which MP3 encoder? Some encoders will low pass the audio (i.e. filter out the top end). After finally listening to a "flac" file (Peter Gabriel's So - Remastered) while it sounded great over my AKG 550's, it was rather uncouth and boomy through the amp and nowhere near as good as playing the CD (as I suppose is to be expected) and strangely "cold", whether analogue or digital coax. However, I then copied it to MP3 320 format and it actually sounded easier to listen to, and a lot "warmer". So after all this messing around, I'll stick to this format, and save my best CD's for the CD player.
I could probably put a lot of this down to the quality of the interconnects, but if the CD version sounds fantastic with the current setup I would be wasting money to try to get the network player to sound as good. Age old story of using your own ears to judge rather than specifications and reviews I guess...
How are you getting the files to play through your amp?
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