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'Wavpack4Wavelab' file import/export plugin for Wavelab-6- v1.0
(c) gl.tter (gl.tter [AT] r-i-l [DOT] net) 2005

plugin homepage: http://wavpack.gl.tter.org
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Intro:
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This plugin allows you to load all Wavpack v4.x (and earlier) encoded files
into Steinberg's Wavelab 6 audio editor, and also save losslessly compressed
Wavpack files.

All valid Wavpack file types can be imported, including lossless, lossy,
lossless 'hybrid + correction file' and even self-extracting files.

Lossless .wv files can be saved, including self-extracting (.exe) files.

Many encoding options can be set, including MD5 checksum generation used
by file traders.

Lossless compression creates files that take up less disk space, but can be
reloaded without any loss of information - ie. they will be 100% identical to
the original data. Saved Wavpack files can also be replayed with most media
players via the DirectShow or Winamp plugins available seperately from the
Wavpack creator's web site. They can even be burned via a Nero plugin.

See http://wavpack.com for more details on this excellent open-source
royalty-free audio format, and other compatible software.


Tag Support:
------------
The plugin loads and remembers any ID3v1 / APEv2 text tags it finds in Wavpack
files. These are stored as Wavelab File Attributes, and so can be be
saved/loaded independently as usual. View them via Edit -> File Attributes.
(note tags are always saved as APEv2).


- New for Wavelab 6 -
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Triple-R support! Recording/Rendering/Ripping straight to Wavpack is
supported in Wavelab 6.

Ripping CD-Text CDs directly to Wavpack also generates APEv2 tags (ensure that
CD-Text extraction and 'Convert Titles to file attributes' are enabled).

Encoding Options are accessed the usual way (Wavelab 5 needed a workaround).


Installation:
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You just did :). You will now have a 'Wavpack' File Type entry in your audio
file load/save dialogs.


Uninstall:
---------
Uninstall the usual way via Add/Remove Programs (or just use the
'Uninstall Wavepack4Wavelab6' shortcut in your 'Wavpack4Wavelab6' Program
folder).


Known Limitations:
------------------
1) This plugin has only been tested on Wavelab 6. It _may_ work on later
or cut-down versions. If you are able to try this, please email
me with your results (address at the end).

It will _not_ work with earlier versions! Check the plugin homepage (top)
for a compatible or newer plugin.

2) The plugin is only available in areas where Wavelab makes use of it.
If a particular load/save dialog does not give you a Wavpack option, then it
cannot be used there (although basic loading/saving should always be supported).
This is a Wavelab limitation.

3) Only lossless encoding is supported (but all types can be loaded).


Encoding Options:
-----------------

The plugin has several encoding-related options that can be set via a dialog
(Audio File Format -> Encoding -> Edit):

Bit Depth:

This is the same as in PCM. The default 'No Change' will keep the original bit
depth intact, or select a bit depth that you would like to convert to (make sure
you have applied all dithering/noise shaping before converting to a lower bit
depth to preserve maximum quality).

Compression Level:

Higher levels produce smaller files, but are slower to save and load.

Advanced Options:

Extra Compression: This can be used with all compression levels. It produces
slightly smaller files that often also decode faster than normal, but it's
VERY slow to encode. Not recommended for general use.

Float Cruncher: this is used only with 32bit float data. It discards some
minor detail in return for better compression (up to 10%). Note that this is
technically lossy(!), but it will maintain at least 25 bits of precision. If
your source data does not contain more detail, no loss occurs. Not recommended
for general use.

Joint Stereo Override: this uses a different way to encode stereo files. It
only affects how well the file compresses - the data will be restored perfectly
either way.

MD5 Checksum: file traders use a checksum of the original audio data to identify
recordings amongst themselves. This 'signature' uniquely identifies the particular
audio data - even the slightest change produces a different signature.

This option is not required to keep the data safe generally, because Wavpack
already protects the data from errors with other mechanisms. If you don't
use other software that understands this MD5 checksum, you can safely disable it.

See http://wavpack.com for a more detailed explanation of the Advanced options.


Self-Extracting (SFX) files:
----------------------------
The plugin can save and load/play self-extracting (.exe) Wavpack files!

When these '.exe' files are run, they will automatically extract the contained
compressed audio file into a standard .wav file. This only works on Windows
however, so don't distribute these to a non-Windows user.

To save an SFX file, simply type '.exe' as the file extension.


Verification:
-------------
You can verify the operation of the plugin with the sample .wav files and
their Wavpack 4.2 encoded counterparts available from
http://wavpack.gl.tter.org .

To verify lossless importing, load both a .wav file and it's matching
'lossless' or 'hyrbid + correction file' Wavpack file, then use Wavelab's
'Analysis->Audio File Comparer' function to ensure both files are identical.

'Lossy' files can only be tested by loading / listening.

To verify exporting (always lossless), load, then save one of the .wav files
using Wavpack compression, reload the encoded file and compare against the
original .wav again.

Note that most of the samples are recorded at 8000Hz - if your sound card
doesn't support this you can still use them: uncheck 'Auto' to stop the
warnings, load, then use Wavelab's 'Resampler' plugin to play them back at
a frequency your system supports.


Problems / Comments:
--------------------
If you notice a problem, please write down the exact steps that reproduce it.
Attach the 'Wavpack4Wlab6.log' file from your Wavelab directory, and if
necessary any (SMALL!) .wav/Wavpack files that demonstrate the problem, and
email everything to:

gl.tter [AT] r-i-l [DOT] net.

Comments are welcome too.
--
gl.tter