ripped FLAC files have pops & clicks

[kvon]

Hello,

After ripping several hundred of my CDs this issue just er, "popped" up on only 1 CD -- I rip to FLAC (compression lvl 4), run "analyze volume" (my understanding is that this only adds a tag for "volume bias" to the file, doesn't change the file at all?). On playback of the FLAC - with OR without playback leveling enabled - there's a bunch of pops & clicks. Also - I later converted all the FLAC files to MP3 for playback in the car, and the same pops & clicks were there.

Any insights appreciated... Thanks!

[Lowlander]

If it's 1 CD the CD may have had DRM causing this. I have seen this on European CD's. You could try ripping it again, rip it to MP3 and/or rip it with another software to see if it also has the pops.

[kvon]

Well... I ripped the CD again, changed the flac compression to level 2 (total shot in the dark, no idea if it's a factor). I must have been mistaken with the previous go at it, because now it definitely IS dependent on whether 'level playback volume' is enabled. I run into this all the time with MP3's, but never with a flac. Any ideas? Also, about the DRM - it's an old CD, circa 1995 on the Atlantic label, don't know if there would be DRM on it...

Thanks again.

[Lowlander]

Does it happen when Play > Level Playback Volume is enabled or disabled?

[kvon]

Does it happen when Play > Level Playback Volume is enabled or disabled?

Yes, when it's enabled.

[Lowlander]

Have you analyze the volume of the track? If so what value do you use for Level Playback volume to under Tools > Options > Volume Leveling

[kvon]

Yeah, I do "analyze volume" on every track I import, then usually have level playback volume enabled - until it starts popping & clicking
I changed the target volume for leveling to 95db...
I'll experiment with that & see if it makes a difference.

[Lowlander]

Set it back to the default 89dB and see if it improves. Note that the higher the dB value used the higher the chance of artifacts.

[kvon]

Sounds good, will try that this evening when I've got a few minutes. I understand about the high db value & artifacts, but I do note that on this particular CD the volume tag levels are relatively small compared to other discs I've imported - the tracks on this disc (the problem disc) range from -0.3 to +3.1db. But will post back when I know.

[Lowlander]

You can force a re-analysis by disabling the option to only analyze files with unknown leveling adjustment under Tools > Options > Volume Leveling and re-analyzing volume on this Album. It may provide different values.

[kvon]

Well that seems to have fixed it. Didn't actually have to re-analyze the tracks, just reset the value for "level playback volume to:".
Thanks lowlander...