Wavelab saving FLAC file Traktor cna't read ID3 tags

Hello everyone, I've found a few posts on this topic, but none with a solution. I suspect it's an issue with Steinberg Wavelab, but here goes…

I am using Wavelab (12 Pro) to prep tracks before importing into NI Traktor. In particular, the loundness process. I use the FLAC format. I create a new FLAC (copy and paste from another file) or open a WMA file and then save as FLAC. When I import into NI Traktor (V Pro 4), I get the same error in Traktor, ID3Tags can not be read.

My only workaround has been to save as MP3, but then I don’t get the lossless quality. I tried opening a Wavelab saved FLAC in Adobe Audition, and just by resaving it, I resolved the issue.

From what I can find, there appear to be a number of different tag formats for FLAC (native Vorbis tags being the most common), but I can’t find a way to do these in Wavelab. I even tried “Remove Properties and Personal Information” in Windows, but the error remained, as it did when I used MP3Tag.

Any ideas as to how to get Wavelab to save, retain the original tag of the WMA/MP3/FLAC and save in a format Traktor is happy with?

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Vocalpoint

This issue is simple - while it may "seem" like the OP is opening a FLAC (IN Wavelab) - he is really not.

WL converts EVERYTHING to .WAV for edits.

And since the WAV container has zero capability to store any metadata - when the OP is "opens" his FLAC copy - the conversion strips the metadata headers, he does his stuff and then resaves (to FLAC) - he is essentially saving blank tags.

This by design for Wavelab which has never been about media and tagging - it is designed for audio (WAV) editing and mastering.

There are much better tools out there to do this sort of thing - and if you value your tag work - stay far away from WL.

Vocalpoint

Firstly - your workflow list seems very overcomplicated.

Secondly:

"Copy the audio to Wavelab and use the features such as loudness, normalise, EQ, rearrange etc. in Wavelab to do all the audio editing"

Why can't you simply do all of this in Audition? It has all the tools you need - so I do not see a logical need to inject WL into this - if you want to simply compare apples to apples.

And can I ask - why the need for all this work in the first place?

What exactly is the issue for Traktor use?

funkybooth

Hello Vocalpoint, thanks for the reply. I think I have it organised now. As you say, the first thing I've realised is I can do everything in Audition so no needx for Wavelab. My reluctance was that it's not the tool I use and am familiar with (I use Steinberg for Cubase/Spectralayers). The only downside is that when opening a FLAC with Audition and saving it, the picture is lost from the metadata. It's no great issue as I update in MP3Tag. The need for all the work in the first place? To make my life easier when DJing with Traktor, a library consistently balanced tracks, EQ for some tracks that don't quite have the bass more modern ones do and stand out (I mix genres into each other from multiple decades) well organised, tagged and with a little space at the intro to Traktor doesn't clip the initial beat. Thasnks again for tkaing the time to reply.

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Toxicaudio

This is a well known issue. I am also using Wavelab Pro12 and this is the only program which causes this issue. I have posted two threads (Steinberg Wavelab Forum and MP3Tag forum). There is only one user who can reproduce this issue. There is no solution. IMO Wavelab is the problem. I am also using Izotope RX11 and there is no issue with ID3 Tags.

My workaround : open FLAC in Wavelab. Edit the file and save it. Reopen the FLAC file in RX11 and save it (overwrite) the FLAC file again with same settings. After that step it is possible to edit the ID3 Tag in MP3Tag. You can start a thread at Steinberg Wavelab forum and I can jump in.

Vocalpoint

This issue is simple - while it may "seem" like the OP is opening a FLAC (IN Wavelab) - he is really not.

WL converts EVERYTHING to .WAV for edits.

This by design for Wavelab which has never been about media and tagging - it is designed for audio (WAV) editing and mastering.

There are much better tools out there to do this sort of thing - and if you value your tag work - stay far away from WL.

Toxicaudio

@ Vocalpoint thank you for your explanation. Now it make sense. I am wondering why no one from Steinberg was able to answer this question.

lord-carlos

Can you see if the supposed "flac" files from Wavelab are the same size as a wav or a real flac?

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/244406#Comment_244406

I ran in to this same thing years ago and the actual developer (Phillipe) laid it all down for me.

Still love WL - but not for this sort of thing. Tagging is best left to apps that are designed for it.

funkybooth

Wow, thanks so much for your help, as a new person to the forum this is really appreciated. Can I just check if this is the only (best) workflow available to me, as I have hundreds of files to edit and import into Traktor.

When I buy a file, I buy it in FLAC format as it's pre-tagged, or I've ripped my CD's to WMA Losless, which also retains information.
Open in something like Adobe Audition which appears to work fine to resave the FLAC (so I won't lose the tags/info and Traktor can read them)
Copy the audio to Wavelab and use the features such as loudness, noprmalise, EQ, rearrange etc. in Wavelab to do all the audio editing
Copy/paste the audio back into Adobe Audition (I think this works), change any incorrect tags (or do after save in MP3Tag) and save the FLAC file
Import into Traktor and update any tags in there that are specific to Traktor (e.g. comments).

I need to check it works, of course, I was tired last night, but I think it did!

Thank you again everyone, hopefully Wavelab will one day be the real one place to do everything.

Vocalpoint

Firstly - your workflow list seems very overcomplicated.

Secondly:

"Copy the audio to Wavelab and use the features such as loudness, normalise, EQ, rearrange etc. in Wavelab to do all the audio editing"

Why can't you simply do all of this in Audition? It has all the tools you need - so I do not see a logical need to inject WL into this - if you want to simply compare apples to apples.

And can I ask - why the need for all this work in the first place?

What exactly is the issue for Traktor use?

funkybooth

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