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Backup a cd with flac compression in mka container
(Written in Feb. 2009 by Marc Nijdam) This page describes a method to backup the contents of an audio cd with FLAC lossless compression to a matroska MKA container. Compression is about 50%, and in this single mka file there may also be a cue file (with track information), EAC log file (with extracting information) and album artwork.
Compatibility
MKA files with flac compression play natively in VLC media player and in MS Windows on Media Player Classic (with ffdshow audio decoder installed). Once an mka file is properly encoded, media players will show buttons for navigating to previous and next tracks.
Prerequisites
Before attempting to use AutoFLAC, EAC must be configured as detailed below. Any other EAC options may be adjusted according to your preference, but the following settings are required.
Configuring Software
Follow the 'readme' from AutoFLAC or follow the information below:
EAC
In EAC the first menu (EAC) set:
EAC Options
General
- Enable “On unknown CDs, automatically access online freedb database”
- Enable “Show status dialog after extraction”
- Disable “Beep after extraction finished”
- Disable “Eject CD after extraction finished”
Tools
- Enable “Automatically write status report after extraction”
- Enable “On extraction, start external compressors queues in the background”
- Enable “Do not open external compressor window”
Filename
- Set “Naming scheme” to: %I\%A\%C\%N-%T
- Enable “Use various artist naming scheme”
- Set various artist naming scheme to: %I\Various Artists\%C\%N-%A - %T
Directories
- Set “Use this directory” and specify a permanent directory
- This directory must match the AutoFLAC “Output base” option
Compression Options
External Compression
- Enable “Use external program for compression”
- Set “Parameter passing scheme” to: User Defined Encoder
- Set “Use file extension” to: .flac
- Set “Program used for compression” to the full path for flac.exe
- Set “Additional command line options to: –best -T “ARTIST=%a” -T “TITLE=%t” -T “ALBUM=%g” -T “DATE=%y” -T “TRACKNUMBER=%n” -T “GENRE=%m” %s
- Disable “Add ID3 tag”
freedb / Database Options
freedb
- Set “Your E-Mail address” to an e-mail address
AutoFLAC
Start AutoFLAC, set the following options:
Extract Options
- Enable “All Tracks” and “Rip to image”
- Enable “Create cue sheet”
- Disable “Embed in image”
Disc Options
- Enable “Write log file”
- Disable “Test and Copy”
- Disable “Copy data files”
- Disable “Enable ReplayGain”
- Disable “Multi-disc set”
AutoFLAC Rip Options
- Use Encoder: FLAC
- Use CD-ROM drive: select your target drive
- Disable “Low priority encoding”
- Enable “Eject on complete”
- Disable “Notify on complete”
Output Options
- Set the “Base directory” according to where your output file should go
- Name scheme: %I\%A\%C
- Image scheme: %A - %C
Binary Options
- Flac: locate flac.exe
- Metaflac: locate metaflac.exe
1. Extract CD with AutoFLAC
- Start AutoFLAC, check your settings, press OK