I'm a newbie in here. I want to rip my music cds to .wav, but I don't know which .wav format (and its sample format) is best. I currently have indeo audio codec and Microsoft PCM Converter. Please tell me which one to use, thank you in advance.

PCM
44.1 kHz sample rate
16 bit (I think)
Stereo

That's exactly what is on your CD.

Are you sure you want wav format? A lossless encoder is generally prefered. And what are you using that it's giving the choice of a sample rate?

I ripped several cds already, but then I noticed that the sample format of the .wav files was 8000 kHz, 1 bit, mono. I just want to make sure I have 100% quality from the .wav files before converting them into mpc. Is PCM codec better than Indeo codec with the same sample format?

Thanks

Don't use any PCM converter or codec when ripping. Then your wav files should end up like torok said. By the way have you actually listened to those 8000 Hz files? Does it sound like 100% quality?

The sample format was 8.000, I forgot to put a period after 8. I didn't listen to those 8.000 khz, but i read an EAC tutorial. It suggested to use 44.1 khz, 16 bit, stereo. I wasn't sure about that so I asked for help in here. I know .wav files are big in size, but like I've said I'll convert them to mpc format.

In order to rip to wav, EAC has the direct option in the "action" menu : copy [...] "uncompressed".
If you rip "compressed" EAC let you choose between all codecs registered on your computer, among which some wav codecs, but you should not use them. If you need to change the wav format from uncompressed (direct rip from the CD) to something different, rather use a wav editor, like CoolEdit.

why to wav? is way to big! why don't you try flac or any other lossless compressor? it would be half the size, and the same quality

He answered already in here, that he plans to encode the waves to mpc.


The best solutions are following, by EAC:

either lossless (but a lot lot space is needed):

test & copy uncompressed --> you can burn CDDA, or encode later to lossless compressed, or encode to lossy, best is mpc.

test & copy & encode to lossless (external compressor), flac is ok, see case's page config of eac,


or lossy:

test & copy & encode (external compressor) to mpc (or other codecs)

Come on people. Why is it taking so long to understand that this guy just wants to rip his CD's to MPC?, he (thinks he) needs a .wav intermediate file for this, and is asking how to make it.

@ dht317 : The reply from Pio2001 is probably the one you should follow. To configure EAC to use MPC you select it as an external encoder, and put in the box the commandline to be used, ignoring all the other settings. ( I thought there was a tutorial in the FAQ, but I couldn't see it).

As for information, torok told you the correct "wave format". 44.1Khz, 16bits, Stereo. That's what it is on any CD.

Those other codecs you see (like indeo) are "lossy" codecs, but simplier than the ones debated in this site. (thus, less quality/filesize ratio)

Hope now you can get your transparent lossy files right


Edit: woopis.. a bit late... if I hadn't have to search ...

Digital Audio on music CD's is stored in 44100 Hz sampling frequency and 16 bits resolution ... that's the way to go.

Like PIO said, actual versions of EAC like 0.9 and above (most tutorials refer to older versions) offer a "copy track" command either as "compressed" or "uncompressed" ... if you choose "uncompressed", you will get wav files of 44100/16 ... if you choose "compressed", you will get files that match the settings under EAC's "compression options" (can be configured by hitting F11 in the main EAC window) ...

EAC supports direct compression to MPC as well so you do not have to use an external user interface for the musepack encoder (I would still use one because of the option to write APEv2 tags, though ... EAC still fails on that point IIRC but there will be a new version around christmas) ...

Go ahead and have fun ... EAC is one hell of a bitch to configure (exxagerating here) but will run smoothly once everything is set ...

configuring EAC:

*
, get the *-profile for eac from that page, and test & configure your specific drive features, should be all explained there.

or a quick guide at Case's page:

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

MOD: * no links or names to ripping group guides please.

Thanks everyone.