Adobe Audition 3.0.1

Adobe 3.0 Download And Update Links
As you may or may not know, Adobe publicly released Adobe Audition 3.0 (ADBEAudition_ESD1_WWEFGJIS.exe) (And the entire Creative Suite 2, which included Audition 3.0) with all necessary Serial keys. These have been available on Adobe's official archive.org. page:
http://web.archive.org/web/20141016163040/http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs2-product-downloads.html
Scroll to English drop-down for file link and serial Key.
There are three updates to Adobe Audition 3.0:
Update to Adobe Audition 3.0.1
https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/audition301.zip
(*Note: To avoid deletion of user-created effect presets, make sure that DirectX Effects are disabled before installing this patch.)
A post 3.0.1 Amplitude Statistics (Stats.XFM) "plugin"
https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/Aud3AmplitudeStatistics.zip
A patch for Vista64 O/S:
https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/Audition3Vista64Fix.zip
A troubleshooting guide that came out in 2015:
https://usermanual.wiki/adobe/audition3troubleshootingen.449927746.pdf
(This link uses Cloudflare so be advised; I attach a copy at the end of this post)
The Help file is in the installation, but if you want to see it first:
audition_3_help
https://usermanual.wiki/adobe/audition3.2032141112.pdf
(This link uses Cloudflare so be advised)
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Additional Adobe 3.0 Update Links
Though I had searched the WaybackMachine many time for the original Adobe Audition 3.0 update files, I could not find them. Apparently they are there but can't be found unless using the exact link from Adobe.
So if Adobe decides to take their server down or change the address again, one could only find the files by having the original links and putting them in WaybackMachine. (I presume since this thread was started, other people may have put the files on their servers as well?)
Here are other links for the files
And
I'm attaching a copy of ''Adobe Audition 3.0 Troubleshooting'' PDF
Update to Adobe Audition 3.0.1
http://web.archive.org/web/20260908054642/https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/audition301.zip
(*Note: To avoid deletion of user-created effect presets, make sure that DirectX Effects are disabled before installing this patch.)
A post 3.0.1 Amplitude Statistics (Stats.XFM) "plugin"
http://web.archive.org/web/20190923100806/https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/Aud3AmplitudeStatistics.zip
A patch for Vista64 O/S
http://web.archive.org/web/20260923170212/https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/Audition3Vista64Fix.zip
WaybackMachine Full Calendar Capture Pages:
WaybackMachine Full Capture Pages:
audition301.zip
http://web.archive.org/web/20111201000000*/https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/audition301.zip
Aud3AmplitudeStatistics.zip
http://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/Aud3AmplitudeStatistics.zip
Audition3Vista64Fix.zip
http://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/audition/win/3.x/Audition3Vista64Fix.zip

Comments
I never used that link.
Firstly, the Sound FX files are available here:
https://www.adobe.com/products/audition/offers/adobeauditiondlcsfx.html
You can also go here for everything else (and the Sound FX):
https://archive.org/details/20210210_20210210_1306
I’ll be covering a vast amount of DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) utilities, plugins and filters all aimed at working on a Windows XP system running Adobe Audition 3.0.1 at the heart of it. I’ll also be explaining techniques applied using all of this software to get an optimal result and to give tips avoiding pitfalls.
The Hardware is legacy hardware not modern hardware with a virtual Windows XP. IOW I don't have access to trouble shoot VM issues.
Many of the program/app downloads I’ll link too have IMO, too bloated or even intrusive setup exe files.
I will at times reference bypassing the setup execution where I un-pack them.
Here is a link to an un-packer program I use that is to the best of my experience, the last version for XP:
UniExtract (AKA Universal Extractor v 2.0 RC 4) for XP
Last UniExtract (AKA Universal Extractor v 2.0 RC 4) for XP, Timestamp (See properties tab) 29.01.2023.
web.archive.org/web/20230603051322/https://update.bioruebe.com/uniextract/files/nightly.zip
If you have not used UniExtract it can make life easier. Just apply it to a setup.exe file, wait a few seconds and then grab what you need bypassing the setup process; kinda like making it ‘’Portable’’.
However, UniExtract does not always work or you really do need to run the setup exe for the application to work properly (i.e. registry and system file additions).
Set Up Audition 3 Audio Hardware Drivers
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/desktop/kb/set-audition-3-audio-hardware.html
Adobe Au's Icons are a little bland for me.
For session files (.ses), wave files (.wav) and peak files (.pk)
I like the old Cool Edit Icons
(Ok so .pk file uses standard windows 98 system icon)
Here's a zip with the included icons. I Also included some icons for other audio file types I use; either for the file, the folder or both.
Tools-> Folder options-> File types-> Scroll to extension (e.g. .ses)-> Advanced-> Change Icon.
I like to keep the Icons in C:\Windows.
If you do not already have them installed, you're going to need the C++ libraries for XP. They are needed for many DAW plug-ins.
For XP the following is a step by step process to insure you have all final C++ libraries for XP (32+64bit).
1] Create a folder to work in, then go to:
https://techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/
->On Left side select ''Show older versions''
->Scroll to August 2020 and select download, make sure next page says ''File name: Visual-C-Runtimes-All-in-One-Aug-2020.zip''
->Select any server and download to your working folder.
2] Extract all files
3] Start Windows Installer Service (otherwise some files will not install)
4] Run install_all.bat
After install is complete, I like to re-boot
You're done. Keep this file; if you get any kind of C++ corruption, you'll want to re-install C++ this way. Just run the .bat again. Otherwise you might encounter problems trying it by hand.
Now if you MUST have the FINAL C++ version for XP (vcredist2019_x86.exe v14.28.29213.0 (Last version compatible with Windows XP- Later vcredist2019 versions will install but not function correctly.):
You can update with:
32bit
https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/566435ac-4e1c-434b-b93f-aecc71e8cffc/0D59EC7FDBF05DE813736BF875CEA5C894FFF4769F60E32E87BD48406BBF0A3A/VC_redist.x86.exe
64bit
https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/566435ac-4e1c-434b-b93f-aecc71e8cffc/B75590149FA14B37997C35724BC93776F67E08BFF9BD5A69FACBF41B3846D084/VC_redist.x64.exe
I rename VC_redist.x86.exe to vcredist2015-2017-2019_x86.exe and replace the old one in the zip. The .bat file installs it fine.
***************
Question: Wouldn't the techpowerup.com site have the package with the last XP compatible C++ 2019?
Answer: No, the next package skips over v14.28.29213.0, the Jan 2021 package contains v 14.28.29325.2
The August 2020 c++ v is14.27.29016.0 Which frankly is ''Good Enough''
FYI Microsoft (with rare exception) does not want anyone having access to their older system files. Finding links is A LOT OF WORK!
On MS Forums the ''moderators'' will NOT supply links even when asked for specific versions.
Thankfully their are industrious people whom work to find what is needed.
WavPack Filter for Au301 and WavPack Command-Line Front-End
Adobe Audition 3.0.1 (Au301) uses the extension .flt for filters.
Filters allow the import and export of different type audio files (e.g.AC3, WavPack, M4a etc.)
There are a few filter files available for Au301 and I’ll be listing them in this thread.
The first filter I want to highlight is the WavPack filter by David Bryant.
Regarding Wavpack in general, I used to use zip and rar for storage/archiving of wav files but using wavpack is a game changer:
1) Decompression of .wav 32 bit 192kHz is bit perfect to original as are all other traditional formats (16, 24 bit & 44.1, 48, 96 kHz)
2) Much better compression ratio than zip, rar or 7z, gains you more free storage space.
3) You can quickly preview the audio (without opening a DAW editor) in many media players without first decompressing to .wav as you must in rar, zip, 7z, etc.
4) There is an available filter specifically for Au3.01 by David Bryant.
5) WavPack Command-line and .flt accommodate with special attention the proprietary Au/CoolEdit 32-bit Normalized ((type 3) type .wav file.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg of the many different things WavPack can do (excellent lossy algorithms, plugins for other programs, tagging etc.)
The plugin for Adobe Audition 3.0.1 is the WavPack cool_wv4.flt filter.
There are two variations to this filter:
1-For people using Audition 3.0.1 on modern hardware using multi-thread CPUs:
Filter for Cool Edit and Audition 1.0 - 3.0
https://wavpack.com/downloads.html
2-For people using Audition 3.0.1 on legacy hardware using single-thread CPUs:
David Bryant, author of WavPack compiled this mod in reply to my request, which I attach here:
Filter for Cool Edit and Audition 1.0 - 3.0 Version 4.4 (Special XP MOD).zip with PDF
(Thanks again David Bryant!) (+)
WavPack For Archiving Usage:
I do not use the cool_wv4.flt for archiving because Adobe (and presumably all DAW) rendered files will be saved with the current date time stamp. One would have to manually reset the time stamp.[*]
For Archiving purposes I use WavPack for Windows - XP Command-line programs for Windows XP
and WavPack front-end Simple GUI application for WavPack on Windows.
https://wavpack.com/downloads.html
On the front-end GUI I use options: Lossless/High, COPY TIME STAMP, Extra options switches:
-a -hh -x6 -t -v
Definitions (Yes I’m redundant on copy timestamp):
-a = Adobe Audition (CoolEdit) mode for 32-bit floats
-hh = very high quality (best compression in all modes, but slowest)
-t = copy input file's time stamp to output file(s)
-v = verify output file integrity after write
-x[n] = extra encode processing (optional n = 0-6, 1 = default)
If speed is not a factor for you, I use 6 to squeeze the very last bit (Pun) of compression.
From the Author:
‘’ WavPack has an option to work ‘‘asymmetrically’‘, so that extra processing can be done during encoding to provide better compression, but with NO corresponding cost to decoding performance!
This is enabled with the -x option and provides an average improvement in CD music compression of about 1% in ‘‘fast’‘ mode, about 0.5% in the normal mode, and still less in the higher modes. Because the standard compression parameters are optimized for ‘‘normal’‘ CD music audio, this option works best with ‘‘non-standard’‘ audio (synthesized sounds, non-standard sampling rates, etc.) where it can often achieve enormous gains. The default level (n=1) provides a decent improvement with little cost in encoding speed and is recommended for all but the most time critical encoding. Higher levels provide some marginal improvement with an increasing cost of encoding speed. The highest levels (n = 4-6) are extremely slow but can provide significant improvement in special situations (i.e. synthesized sounds).’’
The command-line options are very straightforward and the GUI makes it a breeze. Read wavpack_doc.html for switch options/details. (Not hard for command-line newbies like me!) And important, read-> front-end readme.txt.
That said, I'm using the WavPack cool_wv4.flt filter in adobe Audition 3.0.1 to preview and decompress within the DAW before new edits or to put a .wv file in a multitrack to compare with a newer edit in .wav (Au301 will play both without need to first decompress the .wv file.
Note: A .wav file compressed to .wv with Command-line or GUI Front-end and a .wav file compressed to .wv within Au301 when bit compared will have differences:
Quoting David Bryant:
‘’ Even with identical parameters there are other reasons that the compressed files can be different.
The header information is the most common reason. ‘’
When uncompressed to .wav the files are bit identical to each other (And the original).
*********
A handy little utility for wavpack users is this ‘‘CheckWavpackFiles’‘ v2.0 program. It is rather old (WavPack Code 4.5) but will give a response if a .wv file is corrupted.
https://wavpack.gl.tter.org/CheckWavpackFiles/
A handy little utility for wavpack users is this ‘‘CheckWavpackFiles’‘ v2.0 program. It is rather old (WavPack Code 4.5) but will give a response if a .wv file is corrupted.
https://wavpack.gl.tter.org/CheckWavpackFiles/
I've posted here my own registry/shortcut ‘’Hack’’ to Enable/Disable the right click context menu.
CheckWavpackFiles Context Menu Hack.zip
The front-end GUI has a decompress-> ‘’Verify only’’ option which is as good, if not better.
Emails for CheckWavpackFiles got ‘‘Undelivered Mail Returned to Sender’‘
Abandonware? Wish I could Code... No source offered even if I could.
*********
Wavpack on Windows 98/Me:
Last version to work on the 9x platform is Release 4.60.1 - November 29, 2009
web.archive.org/web/20100124115020/http://wavpack.com/downloads.html
CoolEdit filter plugin:
Attached here:
Filter for Cool Edit and Audition 1.0 - 3.0 Version 4.4 (Special XP MOD).zip with PDF
Front-end GUI works in 98/Me but you might need to install Visual Basic 6 Runtime
web.archive.org/web/20060526123650/http://download.microsoft.com/download/vb60pro/Redist/sp5/WIN98Me/EN-US/vbrun60sp5.exe
‘’CheckWavpackFiles’’ program v1.1 for Windows 98/Me
https://wavpack.gl.tter.org/CheckWavpackFiles/
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(+) More detail regarding Filter for Cool Edit and Audition 1.0 - 3.0 Version 4.4 (Special XP MOD). here:
https://hydrogenaudio.org/index.php/topic,129179.0.html
[*] If needing to reset time stamps I use a very convenient and tiny program:
JoneSoft Time Stamp Modifier Version 1.1.1.7
web.archive.org/web/20010603005045/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~jaesenj/software/software.html
To the best of my knowledge this is the final version.
Cool thing is it has an easy switch to add or remove from right click context menu anytime.
AC3 Filter for Adobe Audition 3.0.1 by Alexander Vigovsky
ac3filter.flt by Alexander Vigovsky
"AC3Filter Audition plugin allows CoolEdit /Adobe Audition to read AC3 and DTS files and write AC3 files"
Audition plugin 0.2a
Released: 2009-08-11 Uses AC3Filter 1.62b code
Details:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120406072634/http://ac3filter.net/wiki/Audition_plugin
Download:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120405154542/http://ac3filter.net/wiki/Download_Audition_plugin
I’d also recommend using Alexander Vigovsky’s AC3 Filter plugin for media players:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120419005816/http://ac3filter.net/wiki/AC3Filter:Main_page
Download:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120605032523/http://ac3filter.net/wiki/Download_AC3Filter
What's the difference between AC3Filter editions?
AC3Filter Full Recommended for everybody. Can be installed on both x86 and x64 platforms.
AC3Filter Lite Say NO to fat software! Only the codec itself. Install this version if you do not need translations, 64bit version and ACM codec (used rarely, in programs like VirtualDub).
NOTE: The OpenCandy module shows at maximum one ad and only during the installation. AC3Filter application itself does not contain OpenCandy and does not show any ads. Don't worry about Open Candy on install. just don't accept it.
APE Filter for Adobe Audition 3.0.1
A filter that you can add to the Adobe 3.0 program directory for Monkey's Audio (.ape extension).
I don’t use Monkey Audio compression, as I am very content with WavPack.
One problem with Monkey’s is it will truncate (or dither?) 32-bit float to 24-bit when compressing.
When comparing 24-bit/96 kHz compression, WavPack is slightly better in size.
Since I save my working files in 32-bit float and only render to 24-bit for final DVD-A, this does not work for me.
However if I get an .ape file, I can easily open it in Au301.
The APE filter is constantly being updated.
To get it:
Download latest package here:
https://monkeysaudio.com/download.html
Extract APE.flt using 7-Zip (Recommended) from MAC_1xxx.exe
and place in Au301 program folder.
AAC Filters In Adobe 3.0.1
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) audio can be contained within many file extensions, most popular are:
.aac
.mp4
.m4a
.m4b
There are two filters (.flt) available for Au301 to save .wav files to AAC that I am aware of.
1- cool_faac-1.28 Filter from rarewares.org
This CoolEdit Pro/Adobe Audition plugin does encoding and decoding of AAC/MP4 streams, using FAAC 1.28 and FAAD2 2.7. Unzip the file to CoolEdit/Audition's folder.
https://www.rarewares.org/aac-encoders.php#audition-aac
web.archive.org/web/20260818125524/https://rarewares.org/files/aac/cool_faac-1.28-2.7.zip
2- Ahead neromp4.flt
This CoolEdit Pro/Adobe Audition plugin does encoding. This filter is notorious because it will not work without Nero burning software installed on the same machine. The encoding process is called on DLL files in the Nero Program. the extension will be .mp4 but you can change it to .m4a, .aac etc.
This can be remedied by installing a few files and writing to the registry.
You’ll need Nero installed to get this filter to even open.
Or
You can just install the necessary files and reg entries:
1) Create Ahead Folder here:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead
2) Create these two sub directories:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\AudioPlugins
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib
3) In C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\AudioPlugins Place:
Aac.dll
aacenc32.dll
4) In C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib Place:
AdvrCntr.dll
apreg.dll
DriveLocker.dll
NeroCBUI.dll
NeroIPP.dll
5) In registry create Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Ahead\Shared
Create WORDs:
"NeroDriverComponent"=dword:000003e8
"NeroCheckComponent"=dword:000003e8
"CoverDesignerComponent"=dword:000003e8
"ResourceCounter"=dword:00000000
Create String Values:
"AudioPlugIn"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Ahead\\AudioPlugins"
"DriveLocker"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Ahead\\Lib\\DriveLocker.dll"
"Lib"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Ahead\\Lib"
6) Place neromp4.flt in Adobe Audition 3.0 program Folder.
Note: The Nero filter only encodes. The FAAC filter will encode and decode and will be called when you open an AAC file with Au301. The Nero encoder might be a preferable encoder vs. FAAC. There are grayed out sections in the Nero filter (Fit to size and Calculate) which I can’t get to work on a machine with Nero installed.
Free online AAC bitrate calculators are all over the Internet.
I attach the old Telos Systems bitrate calculator and more concise instructions.
If your Au30I preference is to open all .wav files in 32-bit float, you should change this when opening your 16-48/16-44.1 file before encoding.
That said, I’ll be following this post with a concise AAC/M4a post using QAAC which is my preferred AAC encoder; using Fraunhofer ibfdk-aac in ffmpeg and the command-line Nero encoder with GUI.
This is an oddly large lot of stuff. If anyone sees any issues with it, please let me know.
A lot of forums have come and gone over the years, and a lot of valuable information disappears, so by all means try and keep it out there.
I started with CoolEdit and when they sold to Adobe many people were saddened. I stayed with CoolEdit but when Adobe Audition 3.0.1 came out for free... Oh well. Still use CoolEdit at times.
That previous post I made is unique. Back in the day people were pissed because of the ''Bait and Switch'' implications of releasing that ''Free'' filter only to have it not work w/o a commercial investment. I thought it unjust. I have nothing else along those lines.
Ironically I don't use it and know of no one who does since it's deprecated, Nero released a better commnd-line freeware and Fraunhofer is better while Apple is best IMHO (and everyone else). That's the next post.
AAC ENCODING FOR XP (And Others)
This next post diverges a bit off the main topic of Au301 directly, but I believe it essential for audio engineers to have the best AAC/m4a Encode/Decode option available. Thankfully it’s available for XP!
I'm going to discuss using AAC For Windows XP but the links are applicable to any Windows system.
Nerd Stuff (Apologies to the original author(s) of the following; I can’t find where I got this.):
What is the difference between *.MP4 and *.M4A?
’’Besides the extension, absolutely nothing, Apple came up with extension to distinguish between files with Video and Audio (the MP4 extension) and files with Audio only (the M4A extension). As far as the internal structure of the file, nothing is different.’’ This is also true for .AAC files.
Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) is the successor format to MP3, and is defined in MPEG-4 part 3 (ISO/IEC 14496-3). It is often used within an MP4 container format; for music the .m4a extension is customarily used. (Ahhh… but MP3 has it’s own… ‘’Sound’’)
Definitions
AAC LC: Low Complexity (The basic profile of AAC)
AAC-HE: High-Efficiency AAC Version 1
AAC-HEv2: High-Efficiency AAC Version 2
ALAC: Apple Lossless Audio Codec
LPCM: Lossy PCM
As with MP3, the codec has mostly remained unchanged for a long time.
Quote from: nu774 (Author of QAAC) on 2024-12-22 04:03:38
“The AAC codec is supposed to have changed a couple of times in the sense that they produce non-identical bitstreams, but I doubt that there was any meaningful quality improvement since 2012.”
I did a "Shootout" Between 5 AAC./m4a encoders Using media Player Classic as my Decoder:
ENCODERS (†):
1-QAAC AAC v2.82 CoreAudioToolbox v 7.10.9.0
2-FHG FDK AAC v2.03
3-FHG AAC 2015, with libsndfile v1.2.2, Winamp 5.666 Build 3516 files
4-NERO AAC v1.54
5-FAAC v1.40
The .wav files I used were 16bit-48kHz, 37 seconds long. Guitar Bass Drums Keyboards and Vocals. I used VBR (Variable Bit Rate) as opposed to CBR (Constant Bit Rate), I only used FAAC v1.28 but it is up to v 1.40 and is still in development.
After doing A/B comparisons of the files I concluded IMHO that the Apple AAC (.m4a) codec using QAAC, is the best sounding. (Check other listening shootouts on the web. Many others have drawn the same conclusion).
I’ll discuss the easiest and lightest install of QAAC that I know of. And show the command-lines I use. QAAC is A command-line program but fairly easy IMO.
I’ll also discuss Fraunhofer AAC which I sometimes use for a specific purpose, and Nero AAC.
Keep in mind there is no GUI Front End (That I know of) at this time with the exception of Foobar 2000. If command-line operations are not your thing, Foobar2000 is a GUI for QAAC (Though I have not tried it.) You will also need the foobar2000 Free Encoder Pack.
However even with Foobar2000 and (QAAC in the foobar2000 Free Encoder Pack), you'll be instructed to install apple i-Tunes or at the very least AppleApplicationSupport. Both are rather big installs for needing only 10 files. If you do choose to go with foobar2000/Free Encoder Pack you'll still want to download {2} below (XP Users: Foobar2000 website: "Final for Windows XP & no-SSE CPU: v1.5.12")
QAAC by nu774
1} Get QAAC From Here:
https://github.com/nu774/qaac/releases
(Note: qaac_2.84_LAST XP)
2} Get the needed Apple Application Support files here:
https://github.com/AnimMouse/QTFiles/releases
12.x.x.x QTfiles.7z
(Note: v12.9.2.6 is last to support XP)
3} Create a directory (e.g. E:\Audio_Tools\QAAC)
Extract qaac_2.xx zip files directly into Folder
qaac_2.85\x86\qaac.exe
qaac_2.85\x86\refalac.exe
qaac_2.85\x86\libsoxr.dll
qaac_2.85\x86\libsoxconvolver.dll
(Libsox is a sample rate converter held in high regard that can be used inside QAAC. I’ll be presenting an in-depth post about sample rate conversion (SRC) and Dither using two different programs, which I prefer, and have “Tweaked”, after this post.)
4} Extract QTfiles.7z files directly into same Folder
objc.dll
msvcr100.dll
msvcp100.dll
libicuuc.dll
libicuin.dll
libdispatch.dll
icudt55.dll
CoreFoundation.dll
CoreAudioToolbox.dll (this is CoreAudioToolbox v7.10.9.0!)
ASL.dll
5} Create a command-line shortcut:
->C:\Windows\Systm32\cmd.exe -> Right click, create shortcut
-> Cut/Paste shortcut in (e.g. E:\Audio_Tools\QAAC)
I customize this shortcut: (Right click -> properties)
Target: %SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe /k
(/k takes away (c) Microsoft etc.
Start in: "E:\Audio_Tools\qaac" (Your path may be different)
Colors Tab/Screen text, Yellow
I then create a blank text file to write my commands in. Then it’s just a copy/paste execution.
Keeping in mind that I am using command-line, here are my default settings for (My opinion) the best quality AAC/m4a I can make in my studio:
When the QAAC prompt comes up it should look something like this:
E: \Audio_Tools\QAAC> or C:\Program Files\Audio_Tools\QAAC> etc.
I paste:
qaac --tvbr 127 -i "Song.wav" -o "Song_TVBR127_.m4a"
So my prompt looks like this:
E: \Audio_Tools\QAAC> qaac --tvbr 127 -i "Song.wav" -o "Song_TVBR127.m4a"
Definitions:
--tvbr = AAC True VBR mode
127 = Quality (Can be set 0-127)
-i = Assume WAV input and ignore the data chunk length.
-o = Specify output filename
So that is what I generally use for best quality. There are many other options as well. But I do all editing on the wave before encoding and do not use options like gain adjustment, limiter or lowpass in QAAC.
Regarding CoreAudioToolbox.dll, lowpass Cutoff (The cutoff frequency above which high frequency content rolls off, in hertz) the default value is 15000 Hz
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfaudio/avaudiounitdelay/lowpasscutoff
nu774 (QAAC Author) on Sep 26, 2020:
“—lowpass (QAAC option) has nothing to do with the Apple encoder's bandwidth.
If you want to know encoder's bandwidth, just try encoding and inspect the output yourself. There's no way to control the bandwidth of Apple's encoder.
--lowpass(QAAC option) will just filter signal before passing it to the encoder. So, it is an additional layer provided by qaac, and you can just make bandwidth narrower than the encoder's default.”
https://github.com/nu774/qaac/issues/70
Unfortunately, I cannot find a lowpass option in the Apple encoder itself. That said I still prefer QAAC/Apple AAC. If you MUST have that lowpass option on the encoder, Fraunhofer libfdk-aac can extend the cutoff to 20k. I’ll discuss this further down.
To iterate, I do not use SRC (Sample Rate Conversion) or Dither in QAAC (Sox). If you encode anything besides 16bit/44.1kHz or 16bit/48kHz, Sox will take over and apply SRC and/or Dither as needed. Though Sox is very good, I recommend a different application(s) in the next post.
This (QAAC) is the program that made me dive into command-line; being that it did not have too many command-line options, and much of it was audio related, I took the plunge.
A good start is to read the “manual”
https://github.com/nu774/qaac/wiki
https://github-wiki-see.page/m/nu774/qaac/wiki_index
Command-line Options
https://github.com/nu774/qaac/wiki/Command-Line-Options
Last But Not Least There Must Be A Mention About An Issue With The Apple Library CoreAudioToolbox.dll
To quote the author nu774:
“It turned out that CoreAudioToolbox 7.9.8.x or greater (up to 7.10.9.0, the latest version at the moment) can produce glitches on the encoded result.
The issue is only found on AAC CBR mode.
CoreAudioToolbox 7.9.7.x is OK, but you need very old iTunes installer for that version (it's released on 2012).”
https://github.com/nu774/qaac?tab=readme-ov-file#readme (Scroll Down)
The details are found here:
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,85135.msg1056191.html#msg1056191
I keep a separate CoreAudioToolbox.dll v7.9.7.9 handy in case I want to use a CBR option in QAAC. Just swap CoreAudioToolbox v7.10.9.0 with CoreAudioToolbox v7.9.7.9
Last CoreAudioToolbox v7.9.x version is 7.9.7.9
To get your own copy of v7.9.7.9:
1} Download (Clean) iTunes 10.6.3.exe from archive (dot) Org https://archive.org/download/Complete_iTunes_Archive/iTunes for Windows/32 Bit/iTunes 10/iTunes 10.6.3.exe
2) Using 7-Zip (Recommended) or WinRAR, open iTunes 10.6.3.exe and extract AppleApplicationSupport.msi
3) Using 7-Zip or WinRAR, open AppleApplicationSupport.msi and extract CoreAudioToolbox.dll
CBR Bitrates (According to the AAC Spec)
8–529 kbit/s (stereo, 44.1 kHz)
8–576 kbit/s (stereo, 48 kHz)
-> QAAC maximum kbit/s is 320
For CBR I could do this (After swapping CoreAudioToolbox v7.10.9.0 with v7.9.7.9!):
qaac --cbr 320 -q 2 -i "TEST.wav" -o "Song_CBR320_.m4a"
Definitions:
--cbr 320 = Constant bitrate of 320
-q 2 Quality level 2 (Highest)
-i = Assume WAV input and ignore the data chunk length.
-o = Specify output filename
I’d also recommend using the QAAC decoder for studio listening [--play] (Not needed if you have an Apple I-Tunes or Quicktime installed)
I attach a text file with recommendations for installing with Foobar 2000 which I have not tested. ‘’To Lite Install QAAC in Foobar2000.txt’’
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Fraunhoffer fdk AAC
As stated QAAC is my preferred encoder for AAC.
After doing your own listening tests you might prefer libfdk-aac to QAAC (Many do).
I use Fraunhofer libfdk in rare instances for a specific purpose: libfdk-aac maximum Constatant or Variable kbit/s is 576, High Pass max 20 kHz (Recommended if AAC file must be converted back to .wav)
To get Fraunhofer libfdk-aac Running on XP (You must use it inside ffmpeg for v2.03):
(A command-line v 2.02 is at bottom of this section)
1) Download ffmpeg-6.2-609-238f9de-win32 For XP (MOD) I use the Static build. (Otherwise use the current build for you O/S).
http://web.archive.org/web/20250121092625/https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/ffmpeg/ffmpeg-6.2-609-238f9de-win32-static-xpmod-sse.7z
If you want the Shared or dev packages or to browse the collection:
http://web.archive.org/web/20250121092625/https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/ffmpeg/?C=M;O=D
Or
https://reino.synology.me/ffmpeg/ffmpeg-6.2-609-238f9de-win32-static-xpmod-sse.7z
https://reino.synology.me/
Don’t get the next XP (MOD) versions 7.1 since they are incompatible with the following Fraunhofer libfdk-aac XP (MOD)
(Note: The developer has stopped updating ffmpeg for XP)
2) Download libfdk-aac-2.0.3 for XP (MOD) (Otherwise use the current libfdk-aac build for you O/S)
http://web.archive.org/web/20250108182201/https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/ffmpeg/libfdk-aac/libfdk-aac-2.0.3-win32-xpmod-sse.7z
Or
https://reino.synology.me/ffmpeg/libfdk-aac/libfdk-aac-2.0.3-win32-xpmod-sse.7z
(Note: The developer has stopped updating libfdk-aac for XP)
The above libfdk DLL is labeled ‘’libfdk-aac-2.dll’’ this is correct and the command switch ‘’ c:a libfdk_aac’’ works.
Using command-line inside ffmpeg.
Notable switches to use:
Apologies to the original author(s) of the following; I can’t find where I got this.
-afterburner
’’Afterburner is ‘a type of analysis by synthesis algorithm which increases the audio quality but also the required processing power.’ Fraunhofer recommends to always activate this feature.’’
Enable Afterburner. 0=Disabled, 1=Enabled” (recommended).
–cutoff
I (TMTGTR) have tested –cutoff, allowable cutoffs are between 173Hz and 20000Hz. Otherwise there’s an error message.
CBR
CBR Bitrates (According to the AAC Spec)
8–529 kbit/s (stereo, 44.1 kHz)
8–576 kbit/s (stereo, 48 kHz)
So a typical command I could use for a CBR 192kbps is:
ffmpeg -hide_banner -i audio.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 0 -cutoff 18000 -afterburner 1 -b:a 192k audio.m4a
Some bitrates encode exactly; while other bitrates (on 96 I get 101, on 128, I get 132) are decided by the program…
I think.
When knowing the file must be re-encoded to .wav:
I’ll with a 16bit-48kHz .wav
ffmpeg -hide_banner -i audio.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 0 -cutoff 20000 -afterburner 1 -b:a 576k audio.m4a
I now have the ‘’Fattest’’ AAC I can make.
VBR
Target a quality, rather than a specific bit rate. 1 is lowest quality and 5 is highest quality.
-vbr 0 - Setting VBR (variable bitrate) to 0 means libfdk_aac sets the maximum available CBR
(Available VBR Modes) Stereo
1 VBR 20 kbps LC, HE, HEv2
2 VBR 32 kbps LC, HE, HEv2
3 VBR 48 kbps LC, HE, HEv2
4 VBR 64 kbps LC
5 VBR 96 kbps LC
E.g.
ffmpeg -hide_banner -i audio.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 3 -cutoff 18000 -afterburner 1 audio.m4a
ffmpeg -hide_banner -i audio.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 5 -cutoff 20000 -afterburner 1 audio.m4a
Streaming and AAC Player Compatibility
*By default when encoding AAC files using libfdk_aac the metadata ('moov' atom) is written after the audio stream ('mdat' atom) at the end of the file. In order to enable streaming of the encoded file the 'moov' atom has to be moved before the 'mdat' atom. In addition some AAC player implementations have issues decoding such files.
*FFmpeg offers the option '-movflags +faststart' covering that functionality which can be used during encoding:
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -movflags +faststart output.m4a
Existing m4a files can be modified with the "qt-faststart' program which is distributed with FFmpeg in the 'tools' directory.
There is an XP friendly command-line version of fdk aac v2.02
fdkaac-v1.0.5
2022-02-16
fdkaac-1.0.5 built against fdk-aac 2.0.2. VC-2015 compiles, Win32 version is 'XP' friendly.
https://www.rarewares.org/aac-encoders.php
I don’t use it but presumably all the above switches should work
************************************************
FhG AAC
From Hydrogenaudio:
“The licensed Fraunhofer AAC codec included in Winamp (often called FhG AAC) is not the same as the FDK AAC codec. While they use the same approach, they are developed by different teams, and target different platforms. The FDK library is built around fixed-point math and originally targeted low-delay communication on mobile devices.”
A note on Fraunhofer AAC codec: As far as I can tell, the two switches: -cutoff & -afterburner cannot be applied.
To get Fraunhofer AAC:
Create a directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\Audio_Tools\FhG AAC)
1) Download foobar2000 Free Encoder Pack
https://www.foobar2000.org/encoderpack
Using 7-zip or winrar right click exe and extract fhgaacenc.exe into directory
2) Get a copy of sndfile.dll v 1.2.2.0
https://github.com/libsndfile/libsndfile/releases#release-1.2.2
This is the updated 2023 file, Winamp ships with the older 2013 file libsndfile.dll
Extract sndfile.dll into directory
3) Get a copy of Winamp 5.666 Build 3516, (5.6.6.3516) - Dec 12 2013
http://www.winamparchive.org/
Using 7-zip or winrar right click exe and extract
enc_fhgaac.dll (Plugins folder)
nsutil.dll
libmp4v2.dll
Into directory
At command-line you could try (e.g.):
fhgaacenc.exe --cbr 576 --lc xyz.wav xyz.m4a
Command Line Options
fhgaacenc.exe [options] infile.wav [outfile]
--cbr : encode in CBR mode, bitrate=8..576
--vbr : encode in VBR mode, preset=1..6 [default]
--profile : choose AAC profile (only for CBR mode)
--auto : automatically choose the optimum profile according to the bitrate [default]
--lc : force use LC-AAC profile
--he : force use HE-AAC (AAC+SBR) profile
--hev2 : force use HE-AAC v2 (AAC+SBR+PS) profile
--adts : use ADTS container instead of MPEG-4
--ignorelength : ignore the size of data chunk when encoding from pipe
--quiet : don't print the progress
NOTE! fhgaacenc.exe Automatically overwrites without prompt!
************************************************
Nero AAC
This is command-line and probably better than the CoolEdit/Au301 filter from a previous post.
To get it:
https://archive.org/details/nero-aaccodec-1.5.4
Front-end GUI Here:
https://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Editors-Recorders/Simple-NeroAACEnc-GUI.shtml
************************************************
FAAC
This is command-line and probably better than the CoolEdit/Au301 FAAC 1.28 filter from a previous post.
To get it (For XP):
FAAC v1.40 Binary for Win32 by John33
2026-03-22
FAAC is a command line AAC/MP4 audio encoder for Win32. This is the latest version and should be 'XP' friendly.
https://www.rarewares.org/aac-encoders.php#faac-win
This encoder also will allow a low pass filter up to 1/2 the sample rate (i.e. 44.1 = 22050 Hz 48 = 24000 Hz)
So To get the best quality I’d try on a 16bit –48 kHz wav):
faac -q 5000 -c 24000 audio.wav -o audio.m4a
Definitions
-q Constant quality, 1..5000, default 100 (VBR).
-c Cut the audio off above Hz.
-o output file. Here you can select the extension .aac is default.
-b bitrate up to 500 (you are supposed to use either -q, or -b, but not both) a –q of 5000 can exceed 500 kbits/s.
FAAC is up to v2.2 and in current development (Have to wait for John33 to update his FAAC builds for XP)
From the developer:
‘’To clarify, competing with Apple AAC or FDK-AAC on pure archival transparency isn't the goal of FAAC 2.0’’
https://hydrogenaudio.org/index.php/topic,129764.msg1084856.html#msg1084856
However, v2.2 claims to encode up to 96 kHz which I can’t try.
More info:
https://freewareadvancedaudio.github.io/
https://freewareadvancedaudio.github.io/docs/faac-cli
************************************************
FFMPEG AAC
This is command-line, I have never used it. All research shows it scores last in listening shootouts.
For XP (MOD):
http://web.archive.org/web/20250121092625/https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/ffmpeg/ffmpeg-7.1-2362-6aafe61-win32-static-xpmod-sse.7z
http://web.archive.org/web/20250121092625/https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/ffmpeg/?C=M;O=D
Or
https://reino.synology.me/ffmpeg/ffmpeg-7.1-2362-6aafe61-win32-static-xpmod-sse.7z
https://reino.synology.me/
(Note: The developer has stopped updating ffmpeg for XP)
************************************************
For Tagging, I use Tagscan 6.1.7 (Last XP version).
https://www.videohelp.com/software/TagScanner
https://www.videohelp.com/download/tagscan-6.1.17.zip
I have also used kid3-3.8.7 (Last XP) for tagging.
https://www.videohelp.com/software/Kid3
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kid3/files/kid3/3.8.7/kid3-3.8.7-win32.zip/download
Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) And A Particular Application Method (WinXP Friendly)
I have conducted many SRC tests over the past 15+ years; both freeware versions and many commercial versions including but not limited to:
FinalCD (SRC)
smarc (SRC)
R8brain by Voxengo Labs (SRC)
Erik de Castro Lopo's "Secret Rabbit Code" (SRC)
SoX (SRC)
Cool Edit/Adobe Au (SRC)
Steinberg Labs (SRC)
After years of using some of these different programs, I've settled on a combination that I believe is the best for me.
I usually record in 24bit/96kHz for final publishing or 24bit/48kHz for demos, references etc.
I will upsample to 32bit/192kHz for mastering and of course downsample to 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and 96kHz rates using a method I’ll explain further.
For Sample Rate Conversion from 192 kHz or 96, kHz to 48kHz/44.1kHz, I use Sonic Illusions FinalCD v0.29 by Tom Browne but I "tweak" it in a unique way by first passing the intended wav through a VST ultrasonic filter in Adobe Au.
(My previous SRC was smarc with command-line switches. (†) Before smarc I used R8brain free.
FinalCD
http://www.sonicillusions2.co.uk/finalcd.htm
http://sonicillusions2.co.uk/
This is simple command line. In fact the simplest command line program I have ever seen in audio.
I'll show you what I use in this post.
There is a GUI on the downloads page which requires .NET Framework 3.5
There is a modern GUI for amd64 systems https://github.com/jbrander/batch-finalcd
Download FinalCD and unpack to it's own directory e.g. C:\Program Files\Audio_Tools\FinalCD
Create a command line shortcut:
->C:\Windows\Systm32\cmd.exe -> Right click, create shortcut
-> Cut/Paste shortcut in (e.g. C:\Program Files\Audio_Tools\FinalCD)
I customize this shortcut: (Right click -> properties)
· Target: %SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe /k
(/k takes away (c) Microsoft etc.
· Start in: "C:\Program Files\Audio_Tools\FinalCD" (Your path may be different)
· Colors Tab/Screen text, Yellow
Here's where I change the cmd line shortcut Icon, See above post to get a FinalCD.ico. I customize the folder Icon with it too.
I then create a blank text file to write my commands in. Then it’s just a copy/paste execution.
The FinalCD "tweak" requires first applying an Airwindows VST ultrasonic filter named "Ultrasonic".
https://www.airwindows.com/
->Download the full plugin collection zip to get latest Airwindows plugins.
Not to be confused with "Ultrasonic Lite (and Medium)", "UltrasonX", "Hypersonic" or "HypersonX" Which have been tested for this application. (Remember
The Plugin has no parameter controls. Just apply.
Here's the process I use to convert a .wav file sample rate from 32bit/96kHz to 16bit/48kHz:
1) In Adobe Au open a 32bit/96kHz or (24bit/96kHz) .wav e.g. "Song_32-96.wav" (Au 301 32 bit DAW will automatically convert a 24bit integer file to 32bit float with the option to save as 32 bit or 24 bit).
Song_32-96.wav process with Airwindows Ultrasonic VST
Save as 32bit float Songu_32-96.wav
2) SRC FinalCD Command line
FinalCD.exe /32 /f0 /d0 /o48000 Songu_32-96.wav Songu_32-48.wav
Definitions
/32 keep file as 32 bit (/32 output 32-bit wordlength)
/f0 Brickwall “Sharp” Filter
/d0 No Dither (Important)
/o48000 Convert to 48kHz
For 44.1kHz
SRC FinalCD Command line
FinalCD.exe /32 /f0 /d0 Songu_32-96.wav Songu_32-44.wav
Definitions
/32 keep file as 32 bit (/32 output 32-bit wordlength)
/f0 Brickwall “Sharp” Filter
/d0 No Dither (Important)
The /o switch is not needed since FinalCD defaults to 44.1kHz
3) Open Songu_32-XX.wav in Au301
FinalCD renders all files as 4-byte PCM 32bit!
On a 192kHz .wav, 4-byte PCM 32bit could BSOD your windows when you hit play; it does on mine!
(Save -> Options)
After down sampling most times the next step is dithering. I’ll discuss dithering in the next post.
I Attach a PDF of the tests I conducted to come to the above Filter-> SRC method:
FinalCD SRC With & Without Ultrasonic Filtering-Log.zip
*****************************
SRC Research Resources
I got my start with a paper published by BIAS inc. software: ‘’ peakResamplingWhitePaper.pdf’’
And back then BIAS had the test tones for download.
I attach all of those files:
logsweep44.wav.zip
logsweep48.wav.zip
logsweep96.wav.zip
peakResamplingWhitePaper.zip
If you want to get into SRC comparison yourself as a newbie:
I recreated the tests described in the paper, which was surprisingly simple since it was all new to me.
I used the program RMAA 5.5 by Alexey Lukin
http://audio.rightmark.org/download.shtml
One invaluable resource in understanding and comparing SRC programs and often referred to is the infinitewave website. Unfortunately the owner has some political issues and the site can not be directly accessed. It can be seen/used here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20261017003844/https://src.infinitewave.ca/
The archive page is a little buggy and the latest data on some SRCs does not show up.
It’s advised to read this page first to understand the graphs:
http://web.archive.org/web/20260804101954/https://src.infinitewave.ca/help.html
Unfortunately the SRC version I’ll be discussing (FinalCD v0.29) is corrupted on the above page but v0.16 (Sharp) is the same algorithm in v 0.29 for .wav pcm conversion.
For more advanced SRC comparison:
On the FAQ page there is a link to get the test files used by infinitewave:
http://web.archive.org/web/20250328090720/https://src.infinitewave.ca/faq.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20250328090720/http://src.infinitewave.ca/TestSignals.zip
I presume they use RMAA v 6.4.5
http://audio.rightmark.org/download.shtml
*****************************
(†) smarc command-line switches:
96 kHz -> 48 kHz:
smarc.exe -r 48000 -b 0.98 --rp=0.004 --rs=147 song.wav song48.wav --verbose
96 kHz -> 44.1 kHz (Also 48 kHz -> 44.1 kHz) :
smarc.exe -r 44100 -b 0.98 --rp=0.01 --rs=143 song.wav song44.wav --verbose
Dither (XP Friendly)
I have conducted many dither tests over the past 15+ years; both freeware versions and many commercial versions including but not limited to:
Waves
Airwindows
iZotope MBIT+
Cool Edit/Adobe Au301
SoX
FinalCD
POW-r
Steinberg Labs
DBX Quantum
The best dither I have heard is IDR by Waves in their L3-16 plugin but this is a rather expensive commercial product. I was able to compare it to the next newer Waves version, L3-LL but was surprised to hear a noticeable lesser quality in the newer dither IMO.
For 16bit/24bit Dither, I have decided on Airwindows "Dark" VST plugin by Chris Johnson. I tested "Dark" against Airwindows NJAD (My previous go to dither which I feel exceeded my previous MBIT+ dither) and other Airwindows dithers (Beam, Dither Me Timbers,)
The other Airwindows dither of note is PaulWide, which might be preferable. It’s more adept to avoid random mono dither noise.
https://www.airwindows.com/dark/
https://www.airwindows.com/paulwide/
Dark comes with a second control called ‘’DerRez’’. It is a bit reducer. I have never used it and always keep it to zero. It can be applied to get retro sounding material. https://www.airwindows.com/dark-redux/
However there is now a DeRez 5 which has more options. https://www.airwindows.com/derez5/
An important tip about downloading Airwindows plugins is to always download the full plugin collection zip to insure getting the latest build of a particular plugin. The description pages many times have older downloads.
Applying Dither And Making The Cut
1) After applying dither, If working on 44.1kHz for CD, here is where you want to cut or add CD frames for a perfectly sized file for CD burning. Au301-> Edit View ->view-> Display Time Format-> Compact Disc 75fps –> cut to the closest end frame.
e.g. If song is 00:04:33:27 you need to either cut it to 00:04:33:00 or add 1 second of silence making it 00:04:34:27 and cut to 00:04:34:00. (Otherwise the CD burning software will decide where to cut the frame...)
After making your cut ->Check the stats, very rarely the stats can show a small DC Offset! It could mean you cut the file too sharp. If that’s the case, add a second of silence and cut at the rounded CD frame and check again.
[I do this on my 48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz files for convenience if one wanted to transfer the audio to a CD for some reason; it also insures all versions read the same exact time minimizing the perception that they may be different versions beyond the format.
File compression (e.g. Mp3, M4a, WavPack etc., These are my 16-48files) and DVD-A Spec do not require Frame cutting AFAIK.]
2) Truncate wordlength from 32bit to 16bit (Adobe Au F11 key)(+)
Make sure Dither is unchecked!
Select 48000 (or 44100 for CD audio)
Sample rate (Pre/Post Filter should be grayed out)
Resolution is 16bit
3) Save as 16bit/48kHz file e.g. Songu_16-48.wav
Or Save as 16bit/44.1kHz file e.g. Songu_16-44.wav
File ready for AAC, MP3, Opus, ogg, FLAC etc. or CD if using 44.1kHz.
(+}To truncate 32 bit to 24 bit integer you must use the ‘’Options’’ button in the Save as dialog in Au. And select 24-bit packed int (type 1, 24-bit) Make sure Enable Dithering box is UNCHECKED.
Save as 24bit/96kHz file e.g. Songu_24-98.wav
I save my 32-bit masters as 32 bit.
iZotope Dithering Guides
iZotope published many pdfs on dithering, very good explanations.
They also published example audio files.
Dithering with Ozone guide
Dithering with Ozone
Download the Dithering with Ozone sound files 4.14 MB
These PDFs are slightly different. All authored by iZotope.