Could somebody tell me which program to use to decode an ape file into the .wav files that are inside.

I've never really played with this lossless stuff before and to be honest I don't know what I don't know! Any words of wisdom would be great.

Oh also, sorry if this info is posted somewhere already....simply point me to that post if you see it.

Thanks

.ape files are monkey's audio:
http://www.monkeysaudio.com/
You could decode with foobar2000 too if you like... or winamp diskwriter for that matter if you "install" the monkey's audio plugin.

Click the drop-down menu next to the Compress button in Monkey's Audio and select Decompress, or hit Ctrl+2 to switch to Decompress and Ctrl+1 to switch back to Compress again.

Ah okay I'll use the software from the Monkey Audio website then, I was wondering if there was a better utility out there to use instead.

Also, should I be using their "stable" 3.97 version or is their 3.98 alpha version pretty good and provides some extra benefits worth having?

Stick with the stable 3.97 version, it will decode fine.

The new alpha version has a few better features but it is still 'rough' around the edges so to speak.

cheers

cdjockey B)

OR use CDex's "decode" feature, if you are more familiar with that interface. You can use CDex to decode everything you can encode with it.

Hi postul8tor,

what would be an easy way for you to decode APE files?
Two days ago I asked myself the same question and therefor wrote a tiny little program (using Monkey's Audio SDK) for decoding APE files quickly.

It is nothing special - no big deal. You can drop some files onto the program's icon and it automatically decodes all ape files. Alternatively, you have the possibility to right-click any ape file(s) and after that unAPE them.

My program is a standalone executable and 10kb in size, so it is no waste of resources running it! ;o)

Let me know if you are interested and I will post a download URL.


Have a great day,
ChildM

I'd be interested in that, if you're kind enough to post a download URL.

Thanks!

Hi rpop,

thanks for your interest in my tiny program. I just rewrote "unAPE" and it is ready for download.

features:
"normal unAPE" - put wav files into source folder
"unAPE to..." - put wav files into a chosen directory (great for decompressing files directly from CD)

installation notes:
- download the exe and put it into any directory you want to
- create two shortcuts in your "send to" folder (unAPE & unAPE to...)
- add the following parameter to "unAPE to..." shortcut: /SAVETO (for example: "C:\Program Files\unAPE\unape.exe" /SAVETO) <- it's important for extracting files to a different directory
[alternatively, just put two shortcuts onto your desktop (see instructions above) and drop your files onto those icons; personally I prefer the sendto method...]

usage (sendto):
- right-click any APE file(s) and choose "Send To|unAPE" or "Send To|unAPE to..."
- do not wonder... at the current state of this program there is no window opened (I have plans to include a little trayicon with information regarding decompression if someone wants to have this feature...)
- when everything is done a message box pops up and tells you, that 'n' files were successfully converted...

notes to myself:
- create an icon for this app ;o)

download link:
http://www.maxmix.de/unape.exe


Let me know if it works for you... I did some testing, but it might be, that there are bugs left... well, it doesn't do that much :o)


Have fun!
ChildM

I decided to try unape.exe too. So far so good

I have to admit though, it was a little wierd to be kept in the dark while it was processing but when it was done I didn't notice any problems with the WAV files.

Hi Destroid,

thanks for using my little app. Yes, you are right... this app is not very communicative! ;o)

I do not know if people are in need of such an application that often, but if it turns true that a bunch of people are using my crappy app, I will definately add something like a GUI. :o)

Personally, I can live with it... :o) But perhaps some others will respond so that I will convince myself of doing some work regarding user interface and friendliness.

Thanks again,
ChildM

I think you've got a great start here, and a self-installing executable (you could use Nullsoft's installer) that would copy the .exe file and the shortcuts for you would be fantastic.

If it were me, and I was designing an app this small/utilitarian, I'd create no more gui than a progress meter (maybe a small bar in the middle of the screen, with your logo and some % marks). Let everything be shell-integrated, and it'll be easy for complete newbs to use

Yeah, it's fine. I like tiny apps that work

It was just my first impression and I wasn't sure if it was working but it did. I could even batch convert just dragging APE onto unape.exe and that's cool too.

Hi silver_cpu,

thanks for your ideas!
You are right: It is no big deal to add a progress meter to my application and I also could write a tiny installer, which would make installation much more easier.

To be honest: I really do not know if this app is useful to anybody!? My own need for a tool like this came up, while I was making music. I wanted to listen to some commercial tracks in my sequencer, so I can get an idea of typical mastering for a certain kind of sound. Having most of my audio CDs on HD (ape, of course) I wasn't able to import them directly.
Yes, I could have open the ape files in Monkey's Audio or stream them to disk via foobar, but that particular day I was somehow bored, so I decided to write this little app. :)
When I saw this thread I decided to "release" my prog, so that postul8or (and hopefully some others) enjoy having a simple solution to decompress ape files.

To be honest: IMHO it doesn't make sense to extend this app if nobody has a real use of it! :) (except someone proofs I'm wrong *g*)
(hmmh, when was the last time I have used this app...?!? *ggg*)

To put it in a nutshell: I would like to work on this program a little bit more, so it will become more userfriendly... so c'mon people: Tell me I have to do so! ;o)))


oops, time for me to get some sleep :o)

cheers,
ChildM

Well, besides what I've already mentioned, you might want to add the ability to convert an entire folder at once, and simply create a folder of the same name on your HDD. Beyond that, you're really reaching beyond the scope of the utility...I mean, unless you want something else in an APE decoder Of course, it'd also be nice to have WAV->APE compression capabilities, but that's really a job for Monkey'sAudio, I'd assume. And really, anyone that uses APE could find a good use for this program, it'd be easier than converting through WinAMP or other programs, as it'd be only be a few commands to get some files converted.

Okay, here's the deal: I am willing to add some informational stuff to my program and of course something like an installer (3MB setup.exe that will install my 10kB application *ggg*), BUT:

I have just read (that was too late) the license agreement of Monkey's Audio and I definately need the permission of Mathew (creator of MA) for making my tool public.

Therefor I have stopped the ability to download "unAPE" until further notice!

If I get a positive feedback from Mathew (I hope so...), I will definately do some more work on this tool, so it will be easier to install and a little bit more communicative, but I will definately NOT implement something like a compression feature (this would miss its target and Monkey's Audio does a great job on this!!!).

Thanks for all your feedback - I will come back to you as soon as I got some news from the author of Monkey's Audio.


@all - have a great day!

Cheers,
ChildM