EAC and AAC (qaac): Difference between revisions

From Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase
m (Changed protection settings for "EAC and QAAC": confusing edits by Mike2718 ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (expires 10:51, 18 June 2024 (UTC)) [Move=Allow only administrators] (expires 10:51, 18 June 2024 (UTC))))
m (easier to understand AAC 'Additional command line options'; reversed AAC & ALAC instruction placement)
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* Download [https://github.com/nu774/qaac/releases the latest version of CLI QuickTime AAC/ALAC encoder], Then unzip the chosen QAAC version (include '''qaac.exe''' and '''refalac.exe''' for 32-bit, include '''qaac64.exe''' and '''refalac64.exe''' for 64-bit) into the same directory as EAC.
* Download [https://github.com/nu774/qaac/releases the latest version of CLI QuickTime AAC/ALAC encoder], Then unzip the chosen QAAC version (include '''qaac.exe''' and '''refalac.exe''' for 32-bit, include '''qaac64.exe''' and '''refalac64.exe''' for 64-bit) into the same directory as EAC.


===General Configuration for Encode Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) ===
=== General Configuration for Encode Apple AAC ===


* Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
* Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
Line 31: Line 31:
* Change '''Parameter Passing Scheme''' to '''User Defined Encoder'''.
* Change '''Parameter Passing Scheme''' to '''User Defined Encoder'''.
* Change '''Use file extension''' to '''.m4a''' if not already that.
* Change '''Use file extension''' to '''.m4a''' if not already that.
* Click the '''Browse''' button and locate the '''refalac.exe''' or '''refalac64.exe''' that you unzipped earlier.
* Click the '''Browse''' button and locate the '''qaac.exe''' or '''qaac64.exe''' that you unzipped earlier.
* Remove the ticks from '''Use CRC check''' and '''Add ID3 tag'''.
* Remove the ticks from '''Use CRC check''' and '''Add ID3 tag'''.
* Tick '''Check for external programs return code'''.
* Tick '''Check for external programs return code'''.
* If you are using EAC 1.0b2 or newer, then in the '''Additional command line options''' box, copy and paste the following string:
* If you are using EAC 1.0b2 or newer, then in the '''Additional command line options''' box, copy and paste one of the following strings:
 
AAC ABR (Small file size):
--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" <font style="color:green">-a 96 -q 1</font> %source% -o %dest%
 
AAC ABR (iTunes High Quality):
--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" <font style="color:green">-a 128 -q 1</font> %source% -o %dest%
 
AAC True VBR mode (90)
--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" <font style="color:green">-V90</font> %source% -o %dest%
 
AAC Constrained VBR mode (iTunes Plus):
--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" <font style="color:green">-v 256 -q 2</font> %source% -o %dest%
 
AAC Constrained VBR mode (Maximum Quality):
--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" <font style="color:green">-v 0 -q 2</font> %source% -o %dest%
 
<!-- overcomplicated for general user, should be described as an advanced option with more detail on how to use %bitrate%


  --title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" %source% -o %dest%  
  --title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" %islow%-a %bitrate%%islow% %ishigh%-v %bitrate%%ishigh% %source% -o %dest%  


* <font style="color:red">'''Note''': Remember that you cannot change the compression level.</font>
* '''High quality''' in EAC = Constrained VBR mode = VBR on in iTunes.
* '''Low quality''' in EAC = ABR mode = VBR off in iTunes.
* Note: for other encoding modes (such as CBR, True VBR, HE-AAC, etc.), edit the parameters between the %islow% and/or %ishigh% tags. See [https://github.com/nu774/qaac/wiki/Command-Line-Options Command Line Options]. -->


===General Configuration for Encode Apple AAC===
=== General Configuration for Encode Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) ===


* Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
* Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
Line 47: Line 66:
* Change '''Parameter Passing Scheme''' to '''User Defined Encoder'''.
* Change '''Parameter Passing Scheme''' to '''User Defined Encoder'''.
* Change '''Use file extension''' to '''.m4a''' if not already that.
* Change '''Use file extension''' to '''.m4a''' if not already that.
* Click the '''Browse''' button and locate the '''qaac.exe''' or '''qaac64.exe''' that you unzipped earlier.
* Click the '''Browse''' button and locate the '''refalac.exe''' or '''refalac64.exe''' that you unzipped earlier.
* Remove the ticks from '''Use CRC check''' and '''Add ID3 tag'''.
* Remove the ticks from '''Use CRC check''' and '''Add ID3 tag'''.
* Tick '''Check for external programs return code'''.
* Tick '''Check for external programs return code'''.
* If you are using EAC 1.0b2 or newer, then in the '''Additional command line options''' box, copy and paste the following string:
* If you are using EAC 1.0b2 or newer, then in the '''Additional command line options''' box, copy and paste the following string:


  --title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" %islow%-a %bitrate%%islow% %ishigh%-v %bitrate%%ishigh% %source% -o %dest%  
  --title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" %source% -o %dest%  


* '''High quality''' in EAC = Constrained VBR mode = VBR on in iTunes.
* <font style="color:red">'''Note''': Remember that you cannot change the compression level for ALAC.</font>
* '''Low quality''' in EAC = ABR mode = VBR off in iTunes.
* refalac does not require QuickTime or other Apple components.
* Note: for other encoding modes (such as CBR, True VBR, HE-AAC, etc.), edit the parameters between the %islow% and/or %ishigh% tags. See [https://github.com/nu774/qaac/wiki/Command-Line-Options Command Line Options].
* refalac does not require a codec specifier option such as '''-A'''.


[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:EAC Guides|QAAC & EAC]]
[[Category:EAC Guides|QAAC & EAC]]
[[Category:EAC Compression Guides]]
[[Category:EAC Compression Guides]]

Revision as of 12:53, 11 June 2024

Important note

This guide is in need of an update, because in EAC 1.0 beta 2, the replacement strings changed. For example:

  • "%s" is now "%source%"
  • "%d" is now "%dest%"
  • "%a" is now "%artist%"

See the full list in the EAC FAQ or in the EAC Compression Options guide.

Software Needed

Note: This guide has now been amended to reflect changes made to QAAC as of 2.76.

refalac's command line usage

qaac's command line usage

Installation

Note: This guide assumes that EAC has been configured for secure ripping, if not please follow this guide.

General Configuration for Encode Apple AAC

  • Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
  • Click the EAC menu and select Compression Options.
  • Click the External Compression Tab, and put a tick in the box for use external program for compression.
  • Change Parameter Passing Scheme to User Defined Encoder.
  • Change Use file extension to .m4a if not already that.
  • Click the Browse button and locate the qaac.exe or qaac64.exe that you unzipped earlier.
  • Remove the ticks from Use CRC check and Add ID3 tag.
  • Tick Check for external programs return code.
  • If you are using EAC 1.0b2 or newer, then in the Additional command line options box, copy and paste one of the following strings:

AAC ABR (Small file size):

--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" -a 96 -q 1 %source% -o %dest% 

AAC ABR (iTunes High Quality):

--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" -a 128 -q 1 %source% -o %dest% 

AAC True VBR mode (90)

--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" -V90 %source% -o %dest% 

AAC Constrained VBR mode (iTunes Plus):

--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" -v 256 -q 2 %source% -o %dest% 

AAC Constrained VBR mode (Maximum Quality):

--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" -v 0 -q 2 %source% -o %dest% 


General Configuration for Encode Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC)

  • Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
  • Click the EAC menu and select Compression Options.
  • Click the External Compression Tab, and put a tick in the box for use external program for compression.
  • Change Parameter Passing Scheme to User Defined Encoder.
  • Change Use file extension to .m4a if not already that.
  • Click the Browse button and locate the refalac.exe or refalac64.exe that you unzipped earlier.
  • Remove the ticks from Use CRC check and Add ID3 tag.
  • Tick Check for external programs return code.
  • If you are using EAC 1.0b2 or newer, then in the Additional command line options box, copy and paste the following string:
--title "%title%" --artist "%artist%" --band "%albumartist%" --album "%albumtitle%" --genre "%genre%" --date "%year%" --track "%tracknr%/%numtracks%" %source% -o %dest% 
  • Note: Remember that you cannot change the compression level for ALAC.
  • refalac does not require QuickTime or other Apple components.
  • refalac does not require a codec specifier option such as -A.