I have recently used Exact Audio Copy to rip several of my CDs to a hard drive. (Thanks to Johncan for the recommendation)

I have had no trouble using .flac format, but, for some reason, I am having a problem when I try to transfer them in uncompressed .wav format. My intent was simply to test the sound quality using compressed and uncompressed formats. The files are getting onto the hard drive, but later I can't get Slimserver to recognize those as valid albums.

I have the feeling I am missing something very basic. Can anyone tell me what is necessary to accomplish what I am trying to do?

I am not clear what you are trying to do. Are you trying to burn the flac files onto a disc and expect it to play? Maybe I will understand if you write up a clearer description of what you are trying to do. I think I can help you but need more details.

Rick

Sorry I wasn't clearer on my problem.

I am trying to copy my CDs onto a hard drive for later playback using Exact Audio Copy. I am able to get the .wav files onto the hard drive in the correct subdirectory with no problem. However, later when I use Slimserver to scan the music directories for playback, the the album does not show up. Files copied in compressed format (.flac in this case) work fine and I am able to play them. It is just the .wav files that are a problem.

Most likely, I am not doing something that is required for this, but I don't know what it is. Thanks.

So Slimserver can't find the .wav files? I assume it is finding the .flac files. Is my assumption correct? Do you have both the wav and flac files on the PC?

So Slimserver can't find the .wav files? I assume it is finding the .flac files. Is my assumption correct? Do you have both the wav and flac files on the PC?

You are correct. I have copied about 20 albums. 18 of those are .flac and 2 are .wav. The .flac compressed albums are working just fine, but the .wav versions are not. The files are there, but the album is not recognized.

Is there some additional step I need to do?

OK... makes sense now. This is not a problem with EAC. It is a Slimserver issue. However, I know nothing about Slimserver so I can't help.

I would recommend converting the wav files to FLAC. Download the FLAC conversion tool here:

http://flac.sourceforge.net/download.html

Download the one with the installer. When you are finished, you will see a program called FLAC Frontend. Use that to convert the remaining wav files to FLAC. You may have to add tags to the newly converted FLAC files.

Let me know if you need more help.

John

OK... makes sense now. This is not a problem with EAC. It is a Slimserver issue. However, I know nothing about Slimserver so I can't help.

I would recommend converting the wav files to FLAC. Download the FLAC conversion tool here:

http://flac.sourceforge.net/download.html

Download the one with the installer. When you are finished, you will see a program called FLAC Frontend. Use that to convert the remaining wav files to FLAC. You may have to add tags to the newly converted FLAC files.

Let me know if you need more help.

John

Thanks for your time on this. I will see if I can find some specific support for slimserver. I agree that it appears to be the problem. I also am convinced this is 'user error', but I can't put my finger on the problem.

I'm not familiar with Slimserver either, but try checking under the Tools, Options, or Settings function in the app and see if you need to enable or associate .WAV files with it.

The latest version is 6.5.4 and according to this (http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html), it should play WAV files just fine.

It does supprt WAV, however that format does not support tags, so you squeezbox (or whatever player you're using) won't know what it's playing.
Are they in a directory the server is scanning?

Plenty of evidence on the web to show that .flac files convert bit-perfect back to wav if that's what you're looking for.

It does supprt WAV, however that format does not support tags, so you squeezbox (or whatever player you're using) won't know what it's playing.
Are they in a directory the server is scanning?

Plenty of evidence on the web to show that .flac files convert bit-perfect back to wav if that's what you're looking for.

I have done a few tests and it looks like the resolution may be that it is necessary to have EAC generate a cue sheet with the transfer. I am, in fact, using a Squeezebox to play back the music. So far, the only way I have gotten it to work correctly is to select the action on EAC for 'Copy Image and Generate CUE Sheet'. It seems to want to copy the entire CD, no matter what tracks are selected, but it does play back correctly.

I am mostly trying this as an experiment to see if it is possible to hear the difference between flac and uncompressed. I have read a few articles, but I will feel better if I try it for myself.

Thanks for your help.

I have done a few tests and it looks like the resolution may be that it is necessary to have EAC generate a cue sheet with the transfer. I am, in fact, using a Squeezebox to play back the music. So far, the only way I have gotten it to work correctly is to select the action on EAC for 'Copy Image and Generate CUE Sheet'. It seems to want to copy the entire CD, no matter what tracks are selected, but it does play back correctly.

Click on the MP3 tab on the left hand side. It will rip and decode to FLAC (if you have that in the Compression Options (F11)). You will get individual FLAC files. Be sure and read the EAC to FLAC guide.

http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/EAC/index.html

Scroll down to FLAC.

Or try this one:

http://www.teqnilogik.com/tutorials/eac.shtml#CompressionOptionsFLAC

I am mostly trying this as an experiment to see if it is possible to hear the difference between flac and uncompressed. I have read a few articles, but I will feel better if I try it for myself.

You won't hear a difference. Believe me, I have tried and all I got were painful headaches that I would not wish on my greatest enemy. They are bit-for-bit the same. When FLAC decodes and plays, it decodes as a WAV.