First, on [www.stonesvikings.com] under GUIDE, you find very useful info on how to download Torrents.

But what I don't understand is that people want to convert FLAC files into mp3. FLAC is supposed to be an audio format where the loss of quality is minimal. If you convert to mp3 you loose quite a lot info (FLAC file of 30 MB becomes 8 MB in mp3, depending on the bitrate. After that people going to make audio CD's with the compressed mp3 files.

For optimal quality you should urn the FLAC files direct on CD. With the plugin for Nero this is no problem. Go to this link
[flac.sourceforge.net] under DOWNLOADS - EXTRAs you find CD Burning with the appropriate tools. On [www.burrrn.net] you find another CD burning software that can handle FLAC files directly.

Sjouke

as far as audience recordings are concerned, if you compare a good quality MP3 (256kbs) with a FLAC file, who can honestly make a big difference ?
I made the test with many aud recordings and i really was unable to tell which frequency was deficient..if you can do that, then, thumbs up !!
and to tell the truth, it was the same with soundboard recordings.

You are right, that the audible difference is minimal, but if you can directly burn FLAC, why bothering with converting. That was my point. But of course, if you want to listen on an MP3 player you still can convert (but at least at 192 kbs).

Sjouke

yes on that point I agree with you.

Don't forget the millisecond clic-clac between the songs in mp3. This is a long work to kill them before burning cds. Here is the big advantage of Flac or Shn.

Sjouke, what do you mean? I really can't see anything about mp3's at Stoneviking's guide. If you are using - for example - FLAC FRONTEND you convert flac files into WAV format, Not into mp3!

Nero does two things: 1) decode the flac file to wav format 2) burn the wav into your CDR.

FLAC Frontend does only the first part flac -> wav. Then you have to use whatever software you want for burning. I usually burn my CDR's with Feurio.

One thing about Nero: it is ok for burning CDR's and DVDR's, but it is NOT good for ripping CD's. Please use EAC for ripping!

stonefan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> as far as audience recordings are concerned, if
> you compare a good quality MP3 (256kbs) with a
> FLAC file, who can honestly make a big difference
> ?
> I made the test with many aud recordings and i
> really was unable to tell which frequency was
> deficient..if you can do that, then, thumbs up !!
> and to tell the truth, it was the same with
> soundboard recordings.


first detecting a mp3 source is not 100% for sure but there are a few spectral and frequency analysis who works really well ;
EAC has its own frequency analysis and the spectral view
cool edit pro/adobe audition has as well fa and sv one of the best tools and the WAVELAB,s ME spectrograph a quick one wich you see on real-time
if you rip a wav from an original cd, from wav=mp3 and the mp3[lets say 256,320 kbps] now you have the original wav and the other one wav [the mp3 converted to wav] and compare these two wavs using the frequency analysis on the original wav stays on betwen 10-22khz. the other one wav drop off at around 16khz and show a line across the top where the sound is being cut off plus if you use the spectral view and zoom the wav on 2 sec you see blocks on the top. of course mp3 256kbps compression is very good but is not the same with the original wave .especially the live audio recordings dont beneffit from mp3 compression , and yes i can hear the difference like in the drums and cymbals for ex. being a bit thin so to conclude is not the same compare a flac file with the same file converted to mp3

Aprilfool,
about the gaps between tracks, you can easily take them off with Nero.
Just click on the files "Properties", then choose "Pause" and type 0 (2 is by default)

stonefan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> as far as audience recordings are concerned, if
> you compare a good quality MP3 (256kbs) with a
> FLAC file, who can honestly make a big difference
> ?
> I made the test with many aud recordings and i
> really was unable to tell which frequency was
> deficient..if you can do that, then, thumbs up !!
> and to tell the truth, it was the same with
> soundboard recordings.

The whole point of MP3 and other lossy formats is that sound information is lost forever. Whether you happen to be able to tell the difference or not is irrelevant. Why not preserve the music in its original form?

stonefan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Aprilfool,
> about the gaps between tracks, you can easily take
> them off with Nero.
> Just click on the files "Properties", then choose
> "Pause" and type 0 (2 is by default)

stonefan,
I don't think that Aprilfool meant the 2 sec gaps, but those tiny few millisec gaps which seems to be between tracks which are compressed to mp3 format. Where are those tiny gaps comes, I don't know.

Andy L Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The whole point of MP3 and other lossy formats is
> that sound information is lost forever. Whether
> you happen to be able to tell the difference or
> not is irrelevant. Why not preserve the music in
> its original form?

Andy L, you are right.

where can u download Nero for free ;o)

"I don't think that Aprilfool meant the 2 sec gaps, but those tiny few millisec gaps which seems to be between tracks which are compressed to mp3 format. Where are those tiny gaps comes, I don't know."

Auster,
it's true that you have those very tiny few millisec gaps between tracks but come one, you don't hear anything at all...I mean there is no audible cut at all between tracks.

For sure you can find Nero for "free" on LimeWire or so. But if you really like the software package, it is not too expensive to buy it.

Usually you get an OEM version when you buy a CD/DVD burner. Your retailer might even sell you the OEM version for a few bucks.

And there are freeware alternatives as I mentioned above in one of the links.

Sjouke

To appreciate music you need a good source, a good hardware (player amplifier speakers), AND a good ear.

You train a good ears by using good sources and hardware. Ears used to 128 mp3, ipods, crap pc speakers etc. are not able to catch the small details that make listening music a great experience. Usually a boosted bass frequency will make the day of a mp3 ear!

Once you have good hardware and a good ear, there IS difference between CD quality (which unfortunately is the current standard) and compressed files.

Basically all the fuss about lossless formats is about preserving an uncorrupted source, of the highest possible quality.



C

artur34 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> stonefan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > as far as audience recordings are concerned,
> if
> > you compare a good quality MP3 (256kbs) with
> a
> > FLAC file, who can honestly make a big
> difference
> > ?
> > I made the test with many aud recordings and
> i
> > really was unable to tell which frequency
> was
> > deficient..if you can do that, then, thumbs
> up !!
> > and to tell the truth, it was the same with
> > soundboard recordings.
>
>
> first detecting a mp3 source is not 100% for sure
> but there are a few spectral and frequency
> analysis who works really well ;
> EAC has its own frequency analysis and the
> spectral view
> cool edit pro/adobe audition has as well fa and sv
> one of the best tools and the WAVELAB,s ME
> spectrograph a quick one wich you see on
> real-time
> if you rip a wav from an original cd, from wav=mp3
> and the mp3 now you have the original wav and the
> other one wav and compare these two wavs using
> the frequency analysis on the original wav stays
> on betwen 10-22khz. the other one wav drop off at
> around 16khz and show a line across the top where
> the sound is being cut off plus if you use the
> spectral view and zoom the wav on 2 sec you see
> blocks on the top. of course mp3 256kbps
> compression is very good but is not the same with
> the original wave .especially the live audio
> recordings dont beneffit from mp3 compression ,
> and yes i can hear the difference like in the
> drums and cymbals for ex. being a bit thin so to
> conclude is not the same compare a flac file with
> the same file converted to mp3
>

people !! please don't forget that there are a few of us out there who can hear way above 16khz - artur is fully right with what he wrote but I don't even need CE or EAC to be able to hear the difference betwenn an original .wav and a compressed .mp3.

I tend to believe more and more that many people are using crappy equipment (be it on the PC or a standalone-player) including crappy boxes. If you're spend your time listening to music on a $ 200,- HiFi than no wonder that a soundboard sound the same in anyway, no matter if it's mp3 or wav...NO offense but in the end it's not worth the whole discussion - there is pretty fine equipment out there and some people buy it because they like an excellent sound. I grew up with Füllschrift-EPs (German DECCA)and the absolut superb Half-Speed Version of Sticky Fingers in my collection I'm still I'm sad that we were directed to the shitty sound of a CD but NOT ENOUGH - now we tend to accept (or at least few of us) even less quality in form of MP3 or whatever and we're getting told "no problem, it sounds the same" - and they are selling us their cheap equipment too and so many people are fine with it...what a CRAZY world.

you see I get a bit "emotional" on this, sorry...;-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-09-30 14:32 by smith.

Is it necessary to convert Flac to wav for cd burning?
Is a wav sound file inferior to a flac sound file?

no a wav is superior to a flac file

why Nero?
on limewire ,shareaza you can get full red-book compatible cd burning software
cool edit pro
wavelab
magix samplitude
sound forge with cd architect[the name justifies itself!]
you get professional results for a cd creation of course no 'easy to use' but after a while once learning the basics they justify the m...y not only the time to download for free get it before is to late

turd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is it necessary to convert Flac to wav for cd
> burning?
> Is a wav sound file inferior to a flac sound file?


for cd burning a flac, shn or other non-lossy audio has to be converted to wav the same goes for mp3 unless you burn a disc for a mp3 player

stonefan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> no a wav is superior to a flac file

No it´s not. FLAC compresses the .wav audio without any quality loss (contrary to .mp3). That´s why it´s a LOSSLESS codec.

I am lost. I downloaded the torrent file but have no clue how to get in onto cd. I downloaded the program from stonesviking to convert the FLAC file but still can't figure it out.

If someone will just send me a copy of the cd I can give them another bootleg in return. What happen to the good old days of just trading cds.

Hound Dog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am lost. I downloaded the torrent file but have
> no clue how to get in onto cd. I downloaded the
> program from stonesviking to convert the FLAC file
> but still can't figure it out.
>
> If someone will just send me a copy of the cd I
> can give them another bootleg in return. What
> happen to the good old days of just trading cds.
>
> Gonna find my way to heaven, cause I did my time
> in hell

hound dog! wich program are you using? try the foobar 2000 an audio player you can play direct the flac files and convert to wave go to the homepage for a bit of help

www.foobar2000.org

stonefan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Auster,
> it's true that you have those very tiny few
> millisec gaps between tracks but come one, you
> don't hear anything at all...I mean there is no
> audible cut at all between tracks.
>

You can hear click between the tracks. Even if it's only tiny click and nothing more I prefer to hear music without those clicks.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-09-30 16:40 by Auster.

Hound Dog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am lost. I downloaded the torrent file but have
> no clue how to get in onto cd. I downloaded the
> program from stonesviking to convert the FLAC file
> but still can't figure it out.
>
> If someone will just send me a copy of the cd I
> can give them another bootleg in return. What
> happen to the good old days of just trading cds.
>
> Gonna find my way to heaven, cause I did my time
> in hell

Start the program (flac frontend). Then start the windows explorer (or something like that) and find your flac files from the HD. Then select the flac files and drag and drop them to flac frontend. Press the "decode" button and wait...

And if you still can't make it then send me a email.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-09-30 16:28 by Auster.

Hound Dog:

1.Open the folder with the Flacfiles in it, let it be open on your PC desktop, ok?

2. Start Flac Frontend. Put them side by side on your desktop.

3.Now, highligt all the files together in the FLACfolder, drag them into the empty window in Frontend.

4. press the decodebutton in Frontend, let the output directory be the same as the input directory, in other words, don´t change anything in that option.

5. Refresh your FLACfolder if necessary after Frontend is done, if necessary.
You will now see the files you decoded, in the format you choose.

6 Repeat all of the above until you got it, ok?

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings

I am still lost, I have downloaded two different programs to do this, foobar and the one on stonesviking.

OK, I tried anyway. What exactly is the problem?

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings

Just download dBpowerAmp music convertor
After you download it
right click on the file
Convert To wave or mp3

[www.dbpoweramp.com]
it very user friendly

You must have the FLAC codec for that also. Let´s stick to FLAC frontend in this case

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings