why is it that foobar2000.exe uses about 60% cpu when i'm ripping files compressed on ape -c5000, while mppenc.exe only gets whatever's left?
i'm somewhat confused insofar that i didn't think there was a difference for your pc between decoding a file for playing or for ripping.. when i play back that same file it generally uses about 10~15% cpu.. even though the pc reacts sluggishly with files that heavily compressed.

anyway, can anyone tell me what foobar is doing differently while decoding for ripping in stead of playback?
much obliged

For playback the file is decoded as fast as necessary to ensure realtime playback.

For converting it is decoded as fast as possible.


Additionally, encoding to mpc --standard is roughly twice as fast as decoding ape -c5000, thus foobar2000 necessarily gets 2/3 of your cpu for decoding and mppenc 1/3 for encoding.