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ALAC files can clip? (not EQ'd)

post #1 of 8
1/26/10 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 
Converted FLAC files to ALAC using dbPowerAmp. Fun part: with the IPC (160GB late 2009) at EQ OFF and SoundCheck OFF with a LOD, there is clipping on mostly bass and high female vocals.
I first listened to some metal without noticing clipping. And then female vocals. Clipping.
I have eliminated the LOD or amp as culprits: using the headphones directly from the headphone jack, the clipping is still there.
I didn't have much of a chance to compare the FLAC files with converted ALAC. If the problem is with the gain, well, RG doesn't work with iPods and I haven't found another way to gain ALAC.
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post #2 of 8
1/26/10 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
So if, just if, the FLAC files are fine, can I avoid this problem only by converting FLAC to MP3 or AAC and gain it down?
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post #3 of 8
1/26/10 at 6:29pm
Got Foobar? you can analyse the files there to see what the gain is at. I'm pretty sure you can analyse the flacs, apply replay gain tags then write out new flacs or Possibly ALAC (or WAV) with the gain applied. Thus dropping the levels.. of course it's a one way street.. no going back, so i'd suggest doing it with copies first.

I'd avoid the MP3 or AAC route for FLAC files..
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post #4 of 8
1/26/10 at 6:37pm
It could just be how the music was recorded...nothing you could do about it in that case.
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post #5 of 8
1/26/10 at 7:09pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, compared the original FLAC file to the (clipping-on-iPod) ALAC file on my PC: no clipping on either.
Could it be something in iTunes? I just dragged the converted files in iTunes and let it add.
Or, I'll take a couple of hours and do what craiglester said.
Why oh why would the iPod not support ReplayGain.
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post #6 of 8
1/26/10 at 7:35pm
Thread Starter 
Funnier: Directly import CDs through iTunes (import to Apple Lossless) doesn't clip at all. There's something with the drag-and-drop-into-iTunes thing, I guess.
BTW: How does the iTunes volume slider work? The one in Get Info.

EDIT I: Nope. That was on PC. Still clips when listening from iPod. Dumb. Have to do 256AAC now..

EDIT II: Used FB2K apply RG while converting FLAC to... another set of FLAC. Then convert to ALAC using dbPoweramp. Finally, working. ALAC on Pods is a real PITA here.
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post #7 of 8
1/26/10 at 11:18pm
It seems the music could perhaps be part of the issue here.. high volume might play ok on a better system (PC) than on the meager dac/amp in the IPOD. Are the headphone high impedance? I've heard that some low power solid state amps can clip when attempting to drive high impedance headphones.

Personally I WavGain (album setting) all my rips to ~ 89db. I NEVER get clipping unless it's a TERRIBLE recording, and I could (but don't ) use EQ. Also, I can't play it as loud, so i might be saving my hearing a little

(on a side note - I no longer use lossless on portables, as I'm rarely in a position to appreciate the benefits.)
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post #8 of 8
1/26/10 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 
Eh, I converted the same FLAC to 320k MP3 with FB2K. NO clipping.
Also, the 'phones are beyer DT880 32 ohm. HeadRoom Total AirHead amp, self-made LOD. There is a difference, Beatles ALAC vs MP3 quite obvious. AB'd.
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