How to uncompress AIFF-C files

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Level 1

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How to uncompress AIFF-C files

Hi,

I recorded from vinyl using a preamp with USB out + Audacity and exported the file from Audacity as AIFF. However, the file appears to be AIFF-C, which doesn't result in a playable CD if burnt to CDROM (neither does exporting the data as WAV). Toast tells me that it can't deal with the data because it is compressed and iTunes refuses to import the file (I tried telling Audacity to open the file using Toast - iTunes is the default).

So, what to do with this file? If I output the original file in Audacity to MP3 format I could use an MP3-AIFF converter (I've burnt MP3 files this way to Audio CD which work fine in a CD player in the past). However that will result in some data being lost and seems rather round-about. Is there a programme which will uncompress AIFF-C? Is there a way to make iTunes import and convert such files? Is there a stand-alone converter I can use?

Any suggestions welcome.

Regards,

Mike King.

G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Dec 23, 2010 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Dec 23, 2010 11:27 AM in response to mihking

Try SoundConverter. It says it can import AIFF-C, if the file truly is compressed AIFF.

Regards.

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Answer 2

ed2345

Level 9

62,492 points

Dec 23, 2010 12:22 PM in response to mihking

Go back to Audacity and make sure you export as WAV or AIFF files. Either one is compatible with iTunes. I just tried this with Audacity 1.3 and iTunes 10.0 and both the AIFF and WAV worked fine. (Make sure to use 16-bit when you export from Audacity.)

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Answer 3

mihking Author

Level 1

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Dec 23, 2010 1:13 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

Mike king

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Answer 4

mihking Author

Level 1

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Dec 23, 2010 1:24 PM in response to ed2345

Thanks. I had the Audacity export set to AIFF 32 bit float. It says the output is supposed to be uncompressed, but maybe the 32 bit data is causing problems. I'll try it again with 16 bit.

By the way, my version of Audacity is 1.2.6. Is 1.3 a beta version?

Regards,

Mike King

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Answer 5

ed2345

Level 9

62,492 points

Dec 23, 2010 1:42 PM in response to mihking

mihking wrote:
Thanks. I had the Audacity export set to AIFF 32 bit float. It says the output is supposed to be uncompressed, but maybe the 32 bit data is causing problems. I'll try it again with 16 bit.

Definitely use 16-bit. That is the most common problem between Audacity and iTunes. Please let us know if that does the trick.

By the way, my version of Audacity is 1.2.6. Is 1.3 a beta version?

Yes, I am using 1.3.12, which is a beta. Not sure if it has a Mac version, but it is pretty nice.

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Answer 6

mihking Author

Level 1

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Dec 23, 2010 5:22 PM in response to ed2345

Thanks. I had set the number of bits to 32 (float), on the assumption that more bits were better!

I guess neither Toast nor iTunes could interpret that format properly.

What uses the 32 bit format output from Audacity?

Regards,

Mike King.

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Answer 7

ed2345

Level 9

62,492 points

Dec 23, 2010 6:23 PM in response to mihking

mihking wrote:
What uses the 32 bit format output from Audacity?

Mike,

16 bit sample size is what CD encoding uses, and is the most common size that various players and programs expect. Music sold at the iTunes Store or the amazon.com MP3 Store uses 16 bit.

24 bit is found in audiophile content, e.g the music sold at HD Tracks.

32 bit sample size is only used in studio masters. I have never seen it in commercial content.

Anyway, glad to hear the issue is sorted. Enjoy the music!

Ed

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