ThereÂs nothing wrong with the file size being less than that of WAV or WAVE file sizes in fact nearly every other format, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, or WAVE pack, will reduce the file size a bit. Some more than others. With FLAC, you can actually choose the reduction algorythym by levels or steps. You can wind up with a quite small FLAC file that is entirely lossless!
Regardless, if the file you choose is a lossless type. Every item in the song or track will be exactly as represented by the orig WAV file. No compression or ommissions occur as with Mp3, or AAC OGG Vorbis, etc.
Whatever the media player or confusre applies in itÂs view of the folder tree too is not a big deal. One of my pcs the Vista, I think, calls M4A (apple lossless) as M4P. My XP machines do a better more consistent job revealing the file extensions as they should be . But so what? File extensions are the least thinhg to worry about right now.
The hard drive acreage has plummeted as quickly as has actual real estate. So using file types that eat up significant gulps of HD disc space is of less consequence now. So, for the uninitiated, or inflexible the WAV format affords a fine sonic presentation but that particular type of file has meta data issues once you start tossing them from one pc to another, or onto a NAS and then into some other even if you adore random play 100% of the time!
There will come a time when you will want to demo a certain cut for someone, or yourself. Wanna sit around and wait till it comes up if you have thousands of albums on file? Of course not.
Especially if you have thousands of discs on the drive you need manageability. Seeking and searching functionality. If for no reason than when you go shopping, to know you already have that Lp on hand! IÂve bought and rebought the same disc a couple times perusing CDs in a record store! Online, I have no such problems. I just peek at my library by a quick search to see if itÂs already on hand, in part or completely and what format.
There are third party apps which can use online data bases to tag untagged files . BUT it is a user intensive app you gotta select the album at least, and ordinarily you begin by inputing the album info, then telling them/it to seek/search for the info iTunes will allow for this too. But man! A couple thousand CDs is gonna take a while. So get started. These 3rd party apps also cost $$$. And usually require the file to be one supporting tagging!
OR as I said initially use your orig media player that ripped the files into some new format which contains ID Tags, and MetaData. Just see what formats Monkey supports and pick a lossless sort, and let the software convert them . But do get one more drive close to the 1TB size you are converting from unless that drive is like a 2TB drive and has plenty of space for this conversion effort. Then get to converting!
YouÂll wind up initially with some redundancy naturally, but then you can simply delete those unwanted ones as you go.
You may also wish to experiment along the way and do a bit of A/B Â ing, of the new file type vs your existing WAVs.
Some media players like some sorts over some others. FUBAR for instance likes FLAC more so than AIF IMHO..
Your no brainer pick if iTunes will be the media player should be AIF. Or AIFF. Or Apple Lossless ALAC (M4a). Most other media players support all the file types iTunes does, and MORE!
But if Amara or another iTunes dependant player is ahead for you, stick to the Apple OEM files as stated above in my post. BTW... do your A/Bing, the day after the conversion process is accomplished. somehow, things sound more honest after a little while of residing on the disc, and a shut down and start up. It's wierd but I've noticed this time and time again.
Good luck.
