no loss in audio quality? FLAC and Back.

[robtronik]

If I convert a WAV file to FLAC format, then use that file in Live 5 (where it reconverts it back to a non-compressed format) and then "consolidate" that file while doing some edits to it in arrangement view, and THEN save the Live file as Self-Contained (where it then copies files in their native format to a folder with your ALS file format), and then I decide to change those files back to FLAC format, there really shouldn't be any loss in audio quality, right?

The only thing I can think of that should introduce any loss in audio quality is if I have warped those tracks.

The reason why I am aksing is because I have compressed a bunch of tracks in FLAC format, but then find myself doing the above steps while prepping stuff for a gig, and then doing more organization using self containment... etc..

I'm thinking it should be clean... anyone else think so too?

rob.

[Machinate]

jusst never write over your original flacs, and you should be good.Oh and set up your show, and then do an A/B test for us Then we can all argue over the sound quality ad nauseum...

[aex1]

Im sure you are clean as far as FLAC goes. Converting an audiofile between WAV and FLAC a zillion times times back and forth will not have any effect on the audioquality. Its like ZIPing a bunch of textfiles (or whatever), u can zip and unzip them as often as u want, there's no loss of information taking place.

warping: this changes your audio by definition, so what comes out in not identical to what goes in. (unless, of course, the file is at the correct tempo, perfectly cut etc)

consolidating: afaik audio gets normalized automatically when consolidated to make full use of available headroom. this leaves you with a file not identical to your source (that was in Live 4, not sure if that changed in 5). Im not sure i like this default behaviour, but i see the point why they implemented it.

... hmm, the last point makes me wonder, say i have 8 bars of music with great dynamic range, cut it into 4 pieces and consolidate each piece. initially, each of the pieces would peak at a different level, so the level is raised by different amount in each piece to make them all peak at 0 db. this is ok if you continue using these pieces in Live, since Live compensates for the individual volume changes by lowering the clipvolume in the clip boxes. so playing back the 4 pieces in row will not produce jumps in volume. BUT if i take the 4 pieces out of the soundsfolder and put them together in another sequencer i should be hearing jumps in volume every two bars ... shouldnt i? i havent tried it myself, has anybody else? i think it does relate to robotroniks Q.

[jbible]

Yeah...your in the clear. Just think of FLAC as 16/44 WAV at about half the file size. Go back and forth as much as you like with no loss of quality.