Topic: Tracking Help/Question

[mc1620]

Sorry for the newbie questions...so I transferred my DAT using Audacity then exported as a WAV file, everything seems fine. Do I now create the tracks on the WAV file before converting to FLAC? If so how do I do so? If not, where did I go wrong? 

Also, when do I create the md5 checksum?

Thanks in advance!

[F.O.Bean]

Sorry for the newbie questions...so I transferred my DAT using Audacity then exported as a WAV file, everything seems fine. Do I now create the tracks on the WAV file before converting to FLAC? If so how do I do so? If not, where did I go wrong? 

Also, when do I create the md5 checksum?

Thanks in advance!

if on Windows, use CD Wave. it cuts the tracks on sectors(75th/second) and will prevent sector boundary errors. And you can even save the files in flac format straight from CD Wave, so thats all you really need. name the files accordingly, and then make an md5 of just the flac files. its overkill, but I myself and alot of other tapers still make an md5 for their folders. I use MKWact, others use MD5Summer Take your pick !!!

Good luck!

[mc1620]

Thanks! And yes, i'm using windows.

[Brian Skalinder]

Please note that contrary to popular belief, CD-Wave is not free:

I think this is part of the reason many people haven't purchased their CD-Wave license (and one of the reasons I started this thread):  misunderstanding of the license requirements.  Purchasing a license if using the program beyond the 31-day trial period is not voluntary - it's compulsory to satisfy the terms of the license.  The author simply chose not to implement software mechanisms (like crippling the software after 31-days, or providing a limited-functionality demo) to compel people to purchase the license.  Nonetheless, users are obligated to purchase the license if they continue to use the software beyond the trial period.

Best $15 I ever spent!  I've gotten loads of mileage out of CD-Wave.

[mc1620]

yeah I saw that in the sticky above...I have another question...If I were to use Samplitude, does it do the tracking etc. all in one program, where as now Im going to have to use Audacity>CDWave, etc.?

[Brian Skalinder]

Samplitude handles tracking, yes.  But so does Audacity.  Most audio editors have tracking as part of their feature set.  A previous question and answer about tracking with Audacity:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,73942.msg1074207.html#msg1074207

[mc1620]

Once I have tracked my recording in CD Wave and I am going to output to FLAC, what FLAC compression level do I use?

[dorrcoq]

Once I have tracked my recording in CD Wave and I am going to output to FLAC, what FLAC compression level do I use?

My version of CD Wave "reccommends" level 5, but there really is no standard.  Level 8 will be a slightly smaller file, but will take a little longer to compress.

[mc1620]

So the higher the number the more compression? CD Wave also recommends 5 for me, is this what everyone goes with?

[Brian Skalinder]

So the higher the number the more compression? CD Wave also recommends 5 for me, is this what everyone goes with?

Yes, higher the number, greater the compression, longer the processing, smaller the file.  But diminishing returns apply - for example, I've found on my PC level 8 takes 3x as long as level 6, but produces a file only 0.001% smaller.  Anywhere in the 3-8 range will work fine, IME.  My testing shows level 2 is where the compression drops off considerably.  YMMV.

[mc1620]

Thanks Brian!

[F.O.Bean]

Agreed w/ everything Brian has said. I have been using Level 6 for MANY YEARS w/ great success