WAV Creation

This page provides a detailed guide for extracting audio from Audio CDs using ISOBuster and the Nimbie disc robot. The process ensures preservation-quality WAV creation, aligned with our AMI digitization workflows.

Table of contents

  1. 1. WAV Extraction from Audio CDs
    1. System Setup and Access
    2. Disc Loading and File System Recognition
    3. Extracting WAV Files
    4. Preparing the Output Directory
    5. Cue Sheet Creation
    6. Handling Errors and Problematic Discs
  2. 2. Workflow Summary and Folder Structure
  3. Summary of Audio CD Extraction Process

1. WAV Extraction from Audio CDs

Our Audio CD migration process is based on a Windows PC equipped with the Acronova Nimbie disc robot and ISOBuster version 4.9. This combination is effective for high-volume extraction and reliable with challenging discs.

System Setup and Access

  1. Use a Windows PC configured with ISOBuster and the Nimbie.
  2. Log in with your standard Windows Library credentials.
  3. To initialize ISOBuster with the Nimbie drive:
    • Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC.
    • Right-click on the Nimbie device (e.g., BD-RE Drive (E:)) and select Investigate with IsoBuster.
    • You’ll be prompted by a User Account Control window to enter admin credentials (posted on the workstation).

If successful, ISOBuster will launch and display the Nimbie drive, typically listed as E: PIONEER BD-RW BDR 212-M.

Disc Loading and File System Recognition

  1. Open or close the tray using the top-left icon in ISOBuster.
  2. Insert the Audio CD and wait for it to process the file system.
  3. A true Audio CD (CD-DA) will display a hierarchy like: 
    CD
└── Session 1
    ├── Track 01
    ├── Track 02
    └── ...

Extracting WAV Files

  1. Right-click on the top-level CD.
  2. Select:
    Extract CD Content → Extract Audio to Wave File (.wav)
  3. A “Browse for Folder” dialog will appear — select or create your destination directory.
  4. ISOBuster will output:
    • A folder named CD
    • Inside: Session 1 directory
    • Inside that: Individual WAV tracks (Track 01.wav, Track 02.wav, etc.)

Preparing the Output Directory

  1. Rename the outer CD folder to the six-digit SPEC AMI ID associated with the disc.
    • This is required for the cd_processing.py script to recognize and process the disc later.
  2. You should now have: 
    [SPEC_ID]/
└── Session 1/
    ├── Track 01.wav
    ├── Track 02.wav
    └── ...

Cue Sheet Creation

  1. Right-click on the top-level CD entry again.
  2. Select:
    Create Cue Sheet File → Image contains M1 and/or M2 and/or Audio (2352)
  3. Save the .cue file inside the Session 1 directory, alongside the WAV tracks.
    • Accept the default filename (usually CD.cue, or a title-based name if present).

Handling Errors and Problematic Discs

If ISOBuster encounters problematic sectors, it may prompt you to choose:

  1. Omit Sector
  2. Replace with all zeroes
  3. Replace with dummy data

Consult ISOBuster’s official guidance for context. Generally:

  • Choose “Always Apply Selection” to avoid repeated prompts.
  • We currently do not enforce a specific option but recommend documenting the choice.

2. Workflow Summary and Folder Structure

Repeat this process for each disc. Your final project directory should resemble:

project_directory/
├── 123456/
│   └── Session 1/
│       ├── Track 01.wav
│       ├── Track 02.wav
│       └── CD.cue
├── 123457/
│   └── Session 1/
│       ├── Track 01.wav
│       ├── Track 02.wav
│       └── CD.cue
...

Each subdirectory should be named using the corresponding six-digit SPEC AMI ID.

Summary of Audio CD Extraction Process

Step Tool/Action Notes
System Access Windows login + Admin access Required to run ISOBuster via right-click
Disc Recognition ISOBuster Shows CD → Session → Track hierarchy
WAV Extraction ISOBuster Outputs individual tracks as WAV files
Directory Renaming Manual Must match six-digit SPEC AMI ID
Cue Sheet Creation ISOBuster Required for further processing with cd_processing.py
Error Handling ISOBuster prompts Choose best option; apply setting to all

This workflow supports a batch-oriented approach to Audio CD preservation, using reliable tools for maximum compatibility and data integrity. For combining individual tracks into single WAVs and further processing, refer to our cd_processing.py script.