DBpoweramp

[Drenis]

Hey folks,

I've just downloaded this software out to trial it before I buy. I'm still learning and poking around but a question for those here who use this software.

1. What FLAC compression level do you use when encoding a CD rip? Level 5 is default and still adds compression. Anyone use the highest setting (8) or Lossless? I'm assuming there will be no audible difference between the default setting and the highest setting as long as the source can process uncompressing the lossless file?

I'm going to re-rip my entire CD collection of what I have now and begin the new journey into my digital collection. The software has already calibrated my CD ROM drive or the offset as it calls it.

[thsmith]

I don't use dpa but why not use aiff format?

[heiney9]

I use 8 which is the smallest final product. No difference in sound, just might take a minute or so longer to encode at level 8. Never looked how much space it actually saves, but why not make your files the smallest as possible, no harm in that.

Plus, dB Poweramp has a checksum file associated with almost every song out there, so it compares your rip to a perfect known perfect rip. Very cool.

H9

[falconcry72]

...Level 5 is default and still adds compression. Anyone use the highest setting (8) or Lossless?

Huh?

All FLAC is lossless, regardless of Level setting.


The difference in levels has nothing to do with quality. Perfect is perfect. The higher the level number, the smaller the file is, but it takes longer to encode. The lower the Level number, the bigger the resulting file is, but it's quicker to encode.

If you have a fast processor, you might as well use a high level setting to save hard drive space.

[PrazVT]

As falcon and h9 noted, it is file compression not audio compression. save yourself some disk space and stick with level 8.

[Drenis]

Hmm,

You're right. I think I read the snippet from the db help file wrong. I assumed the larger the file the better the output but that doesn't make sense. LOL

Alright, I'll rip a couple albums and see what happens. I'll use the Level 8 setting then. That's alright that it's not necessary to use the largest file size option to save on space but get the same exact bit perfect quality output.

Edit: Do you always verify written audio?

[falconcry72]

...I assumed the larger the file the better the output...

That can be true with lossy compression methods like mp3, ie. a 64 bit mp3 will sound worse than a 320 bit mp3, but with FLAC it doesn't make a difference.

[Gadabout]

Just be aware that some portable players will specify what level .FLAC they can deal with. If your going to be using the files in portable play, might want to check the specs of your player.


I always run the verified audio. I have 3 CD players I can use for ripping. Sometimes one won't read it right and one of the others will. I have had a few CD's with a lot of errors on them that I just rip at a later time. Depending on how many errors you have, it can take a while to get the errors resolved.

Scott

[jaycam]

Just be aware that some portable players will specify what level .FLAC they can deal with.

The higher compression levels also require more CPU power to decode when you're playing the files so it's not just the encoding you need to consider but also the decoding.

[Drenis]

I noticed it spits back AccurateRip results and where one showed up as incorrect, I re-ripped it with success. I'm enjoying the program so far. I also like how it corrects the tags by utilizing multiple sources to get this information accurately. I'm also digging how it sorts and saves your files. I'm used to having everything in one folder and not separated into multiple folders by artist and so on.

Really digging so far. I'll rip some more and see how it goes but I think this will become my new standard for ripping.