What format should I save my music collection in?

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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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I'm sure it's been asked before, and I've half-heartedly tried to find information on music formats, but I just don't have the time to really research it. So once again I turn to AT for help...

I basically know the difference between compressed and lossless, conceptually. I think I'd like a lossless format, since I don't want to have to copy my CDs again if I get good speakers in the future. I've heard names like FLAC, windows media lossless, OGG, etc. tossed around.

But I've avoided using WMA and AAC formats because of their proprietary nature. I want a format that can be played on everything, that's sort of future-proof as well as universal, as much as an audio format can be.

Am I basically going to have to create two sets of songs--one lossless, high-quality set, and then an MP3 set for players, car, etc.? Or is there some format that is playable everywhere, high-quality, and doesn't take up as much space as WAV files? (I'm sure there isn't! So what's closest to that?)

All suggestions and ideas are appreciated. Thanks guys.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
how much music...
as backup flac
use another program to transcode that into something like mp3 for normal use with portables etc.
or just stick with flac
space is cheap these days.. you can do both. do initial rip to flac, then transcode batch mode or whatever as needed.
 
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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
692
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0
Not too much music, probably ~150 CDs.

What software codes to FLAC, and what program could I then use to transcode to MP3s? Do portables play FLAC files (ipods, etc.)?

Why are FLAC files the format of choice? I've never heard of the format until very recently, but a quick search on AT and elsewhere brings it up quite a bit. Why this format instead of others?
 
T

theprodigalrebel

Lifer
Oct 4, 2004
10,515
6
81
http://encoding.n3.net/

Check the 'Compact Discs' How To guide, download the Audio Extraction Kit (basically Exact Audio Copy with necessary encoders and profiles) and rip away. The dude explains the various formats and how they stack up against the others (at various bitrates).
 
dawp

dawp

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
11,347
2,710
136
because it's free: Free Lossless Audio Codec


I know there are several coders in linux that will encode Flac, but i don't recall them off the top of my head, and you'll just have to google one for windows.
 
dug777

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
Originally posted by: dawp
because it's free: Free Lossless Audio Codec


I know there are several coders in linux that will encode Flac, but i don't recall them off the top of my head, and you'll just have to google one for windows.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forums! :beer:

Or should I say, congratulations on your first post here! ;)
 
dawp

dawp

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
11,347
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I was a member a while back but my login went missing so I had to register all over again.
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
What program do you want to use for listening? Do you have a portable? Do you want it to sync automatically without having to manually convert the files yourself?

Because you're going lossless those are the questions I'd ask myself since converting one format to the other is painless, but having to manually convert your FLACs/APEs/Monkeys/SHNs/etc... to your desired format for your portable all the time can get old.

If I had an iPod I'd save my time and sanity by using Applelossless and iTunes. If had a PlaysForSure device then I'd use WMP and WMAlossless. A Zune would use WMAlossless and the Zune software (stupid it doesn't use WMP...IIRC).

Here's a list of some hardware that supports FLAC. Maybe there's more, but you can tell the pickins' are slim.
 
silverpig

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
12
81
My collection is in flac. I have a script which can convert the entire directory to mp3 for my ipod.
 
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potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
0
0
FLAC -> LAME MP3 (V1) or AAC 225VBR for portable usage. EAC is really good at ripping mp3's and FLAC.
 
S

SleepWalkerX

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
2,649
0
0
For the high quality set, go with FLAC. That way you can have the CD quality copy on your hard drive. As far as the universally accepted format, go with mp3 and you'll never run into a compatibility problem. Besides wav, there's really no other format that comes close as working with almost everything.
 
Babbles

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
8,253
14
81
I used to have most of my stuff in FLAC but I have since just given up and rip my MP3s in 256 or 320kbps. The FLAC quality was seemingly better, how the ease of use and compatability of MP3 just won out.
 
O

Old Hippie

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2005
6,361
1
0
FLAC all the way.
Click to expand...
:thumbsup:

EAC belongs in the Stone Age.
Click to expand...
:laugh: I've been using it for years, and still haven't figured everything out. There is a site to get a preconfigured EAC. This gent keeps it updated with all the latest codecs, and has preconfigured alotta ripping options.
 
Kirby

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
12,028
2
0
VBR mp3, it's good enough that you can't tell the difference in CD quality, relatively small, and is the most compatible with mp3 players.

FLAC if you have the space to backup.
 
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Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
FLAC all the way. i use dBpowerAmp, EAC belongs in the Stone Age.

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/
Click to expand...

i can't get secure mode to appear in that program. do i need to pay them?
Click to expand...

yeah, secure mode is part of the upgraded versions. this is one of the very few programs i'm willing to pay for.
Click to expand...

hm. accuraterip isn't really doing it for me, and every time i put in blink-182 or soundgarden the program crashes.
 
P

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: UncleWai
I'm an APE man. I love monkeyaudio format.
Click to expand...

half my stuff is in APE from my APE days. the only thing that will touch it is foobar2000 really. it's pretty much dead at this point i think.
 
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