Moosbrugger Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 As I address some minor storage issues, I figure I should make a decision as to how many formats I need to save for each album. I'm guessing the answer is "just one." First example, I download a hi-res file in FLAC. Or download a hi-res zip file that I open into FLAC. I then use XLD to convert the file to ALAC. I now have 2 or three versions of the Album -- zip, FLAC, ALAC. I've been saving all of these. Would I be fine just saving the ALAC? My concern if I delete the FLAC is that I might want FLAC in the future for some reason. Second, when I rip a CD using XLD, it creates a FLAC file in "CD Rip" and an ALAC file in iTunes. Any reason not to delete the FLAC file? I guess my question is, if I use XLD to convert a file from FLAC to ALAC, and then back to FLAC -- should the new FLAC file be an exact copy of the original? A Hudson Valley Home: Kichels -- A Recipe from the Old Country Link to comment
kumakuma Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I guess my question is, if I use XLD to convert a file from FLAC to ALAC, and then back to FLAC -- should the new FLAC file be an exact copy of the original? All conversions done by XLD between PCM formats (FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV) will be lossless and the resulting files will all contain the same information so there is no need to save different formats. On a related note, some hear differences between compressed and uncompressed PCM files but this appears to be highly system dependent. Sometimes it's like someone took a knife, baby Edgy and dull and cut a six inch valley Through the middle of my skull Link to comment
Moosbrugger Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Thanks. So I only need to save one version of each file? Perfect. (I really don't want to open up a discussion over whether people hear a difference between FLAC and ALAC.) A Hudson Valley Home: Kichels -- A Recipe from the Old Country Link to comment
kumakuma Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Thanks. So I only need to save one version of each file? Perfect. (I really don't want to open up a discussion over whether people hear a difference between FLAC and ALAC.) You are welcome. BTW, some people comment that AIFF/WAV sounds slightly better than FLAC/ALAC. I don't really notice a difference but I use AIFF because, unlike WAV, it supports metadata. Sometimes it's like someone took a knife, baby Edgy and dull and cut a six inch valley Through the middle of my skull Link to comment
mwheelerk Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I agree it is only necessary to maintain one versions of a lossless file for your library but you obviously want to have a back up (or two) in place at all times. "A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open." Frank Zappa Link to comment
sandyk Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 It's best to save the original downloaded or ripped file, in it's original format and keep it for backup purposes. How a Digital Audio file sounds, or a Digital Video file looks, is governed to a large extent by the Power Supply area. All that Identical Checksums gives is the possibility of REGENERATING the file to close to that of the original file. PROFILE UPDATED 13-11-2020 Link to comment
Audio_ELF Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 It's best to save the original downloaded or ripped file, in it's original format and keep it for backup purposes. I am going to agree with sandy ... Personally I store the download in one folder/directory, then create a working copy from that which would be in your format of choice. Apart from backups there needs to be no further copy; but I see the download folder the same as the pile of CDs I keep even though I have ripped everything. Eloise Eloise --- ...in my opinion / experience... While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing. And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism. keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out. Link to comment
burnspbesq Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Thanks. So I only need to save one version of each file? Perfect. (I really don't want to open up a discussion over whether people hear a difference between FLAC and ALAC.) As a Mac user, I've always deleted FLAC downloads after converting to ALAC. Where I end up with two copies is by down sampling hi-res to a sample rate that works with iOS devices. Office: MacBook Pro - Audirvana Plus - Resonessence Concero - Cavailli Liquid Carbon - Sennheiser HD 800. Travel/Portable: iPhone 7 or iPad Pro - AudioQuest Dragonfly Red - Audeze SINE or Noble Savant Link to comment
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