Syntrillium Backup Forums :: View topic - Best format to save work-in-progress ???

lagouyn · Posted - Sun Jun 01, 2003 3:12 pm

Hi,

I just recorded both sides of an LP, and I'd like to save the two files, so that I can cut them into tracks later.

What is the preferred format for saving files, so that I can re-open them at a later time without degradation? Is it Windows PCM?

Also, are there any Click and Pop CoolEdit filters that are better than CoolEdit's?

-Allan

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

As long as you save them in an uncompressed format with at least the same bit depth and rate you originally recorded in, you'll be fine. Usually this means, at a minimum, 44.1k/16-bit stereo WAV (Windows PCM) files.

jonrose · Location: USA

I won't comment on the second question, as this isn't my territory and the click/pop filtering in CEP is fine if I ever do need it.

But yes, just save as a Windows PCM file. If you recorded into a float (32-bit) file, save it as that. Any subsequent work you do on this material will benefit from it being in 32-bit floating point format, so if you recorded in 16-bit, consider converting to 32-bit before any processing. You can always convert back to 16-bit to go to CD, later. A search through the forums will turn up reams of discussion on this...

Best... -Jon

Bobbsy · Location: United Kingdom

Yup to Windows PCM. It's a totally uncompressed format so you should get no "degradation".

FYI, it's recommended to do your initial recording in 32 bit and use that for working on your files, then convert to the necessary 16 bit for CD burning when you're finished. I know this is a bit late since you've already done your transfer, but "next time". If you want the background to the 32 bit recommendation you can get lots of info by searching the archives.

I don't personally know of any better click and pop removers but I don't use them much either. I'm sure others will chime in if they know of any.

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

Hmm... I just noticed Allan's email address... :)

Recording 32-bit is fine if you've got a soundcard that supports it! Since Allan hasn't said what he's using, and he's already recorded the LP, if he does what I suggested, things will be fine. Obviously if he can do an improved transfer next time, it will save some time, but this time I think he has to go with what he's got!

lagouyn · Posted - Sun Jun 01, 2003 4:29 pm

Thanks, everyone, for your great suggestions.

Indeed, I work for Adobe, but I'm an engineer in a totally unrelated group. I'm an audio novice. :-)

It's sounds like the recommendation is to record in 44,100/32 bit, and to save intermediate work as Windows PCM...is this correct?

I've only recorded one album, and so I might just re-record the thing.

Hardware-wise, it's surely not the best system, but my turntable is connected to my receiver, then I'm coming out of the Tape Out and am going into the Line In on a SoundBlaster Extigy, then by USB to my Dell Inspiron 8200 (P4, 1.8GHz).

By the way, the album is only lightly poppy/snappy...I wonder if applying Click and Pop to it is worth it in such a case...but I guess that's subjective.

CoolEdit's a really nice program!

Regards,
Allan

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

Ah, slight problem, it's an Extigy...

The Extigy can only record at best 48k/16-bit. So although there are big advantages to processing within CEP in 32-bit, if you just want to save the initial file, then 16-bit is the best you are going to get in performance terms. CEP will let you record in 32-bit, but what will be happening is that you'll be creating an enourmous 32-bit floating point file with the least significant 8 bits of the 24-bit integer filled with zeros!

lagouyn · Posted - Sun Jun 01, 2003 4:46 pm

Hi,

Without bustin' the bank, what's a good (Windows) internal sound card for this LP->Computer->CD workflow?

-Allan

ozpeter · Location: Australia

If I were to purchase another soundcard to replace my SBLive Platinum (ahem!) it would probably be an 'Audiophile 24/96' - but it's a horses-for-courses thing. Same applies to ClickFix - it's fast, so I often use it in preference to the Cool Edit built-in tool, but my decision is based on being more concerned about speed than the ultimate in click removal.

- Ozpeter

VoodooRadio · Location: USA

Check out the Echo Mia soundcard. Lot's of folks here using it and I've never heard them say anything bad. Echo (like Adobe/Syntrillium) provides excellent support for their products!

lagouyn · Posted - Sun Jun 01, 2003 5:44 pm

If I'm just recording funky, 30-year-old LPs to my system, is this kind of card necessary, or is my 16-bit Extigy perfectly adequate?

-Al

ozpeter · Location: Australia

If you are happy, then you're happy! If it's just for your own pleasure then fine. I hardly ever use my card for recording, but doing that sort of 'restoration' is one of the rare uses, and I don't sit there thinking, 'oh dear, I wish I had a better soundcard' when I play back the result.

- Ozpeter

lagouyn · Posted - Sun Jun 01, 2003 7:33 pm

Someone wrote this some time back about either the Audiophile and/or the Echo Mia card. Could someone explain the MME/WDM issue, and tell me whether or not either card is suitable for WinXP?

--------------------------------

"As far as the soundcards themselves are concerned, I'd say the MIA and the Audiophile are certainly in the same 'sonic' ballpark. Their in/out configurations may differ slightly, but honestly, you couldn't go wrong with either one.

The MAJOR consideration is...WHAT OPERATING SYSTEM are you going to be running? To take advantage of the 24-bit capabilities of the card, you need to be using the MME drivers (as opposed to WDM) and this sort of limits you to Windows98/se or WindowsMe. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to search, post them here or simply email ."