Stahl~Tek A.B.C. Page 8
The audiophile will choose le formats and software best suited to this goal.
When choosing a le format, many audiophiles go with AIFF, WAV, or FLAC for long-term storage. The below
table summarizes some benets of each.
In addition to a “working copy,” Stahl~Tek recommends having an “archival copy.” That is, a master set of les
preserved carefully in the highest quality digital format. All working copies then, will be made from this digital
master, which is to be set aside and preserved.
File
Format Some Benets Some Potential Issues
AIFF
AIFF works well with Macintosh computers,
devices, and iTunes. It is a non-compressed
and lossless format.
Subtle differences introduced into the
format over time can cause a risk of
loss of metadata (that is, information
such as title tracks, album names, and
so forth).
WAV
WAV has been with Windows for years and is
well-supported throughout a number of devices
aside from Windows, although it will not
always work on Apple products. It is typically
(though not always) non-compressed.
Subtle differences introduced into the
format over time can cause a risk of
loss of metadata (that is, information
such as title tracks, album names, and
so forth).
FLAC
FLAC is an open source audio format. It stores
metadata very well, and can be converted
easily into WAV or AIFF without altering the
original data. It is also more standardized than
the other two formats.
While supported on many devices,
it is less prevalent than AIFF or
WAV. In addition, it uses lossless
compression, which may be a turnoff
for some users.
Is My Ripping Software Up to the Job?
When you begin to rip, there are a number of software packages available to you. Some of them have a better
interface, others offer more features. As you explore the digital side of audio, you will try different software and
develop favorites, preferences. Here are a few you might begin your journey with.
Operating System Ripping Software Why We Like It
Mac Max Good overall features, easy to use
Mac iTunes Nice integration over a number of devices
PC dBpoweramp Strong features, easy to use
PC Jriver Media
Center
Nice interface, works across a multitude
of devices; runs on your PC with
“controller” software for a Mac portable
device, such as an iPad
Do I have a secure place to store the les when I am done?
Because preservation of one’s collection must be approached as an art, storage must be approached similarly.
When preparing your collection, you will want at least two copies, an Archival (or “master” copy), and a
Working copy. The Archival copy will be invaluable should an experimental edit go awry, or should you wish to
convert to a different format for use on different devises.
Other guides suggest as many as three, though two should be considered the minimum.
Many guides will also point you towards the use of RAID systems. RAID stands for Redundant Array of
