APE Splits like Flac/Cue

[JohnGalt1717]

Now that the excellent work is done on the Flac/Cue #583 support, it would be nice to also be able to split ape/cue into separate ape files using the cue file.

Unfortunately you see this format a lot so it would be nice to have it do the same. It doesn't need to transcode, just do the same splitting as flac does.

[davidnewhall]

Happy to work on this. If anyone knows where I can find specs on what APE files are and how they're parsed that would be helpful. Links to other open source tools that create, manipulate, parse or do anything with APE files can be helpful. I'm good at figuring things out, but I need somewhere to start. I did find this, and I'll look at it more closely when time permits. https://github.com/fooyin/fooyin

[JohnGalt1717]

I believe that this can split ape files.

https://github.com/flacon/flacon

Unflac also does it. I think it just uses ffmpeg which of course is also open source.

[mprachar]

Happy to work on this. If anyone knows where I can find specs on what APE files are and how they're parsed that would be helpful. Links to other open source tools that create, manipulate, parse or do anything with APE files can be helpful. I'm good at figuring things out, but I need somewhere to start. I did find this, and I'll look at it more closely when time permits. https://github.com/fooyin/fooyin

Hi - are you still planning to look at the APE part (I have a bunch as well) or should I find some time to take a look into it?

[mprachar]

Also - you had asked for some examples? I can give you specific albums if you want - the knaben indexer is a primary culprit

[davidnewhall]

I sent Claude after this task a few weeks ago. The outcome was pretty bleak. Give it a go and see if you can get anywhere. I can conjure test files and do not need any provided.

[mprachar]

I've got it working in my environment, just awaiting your PR reviews.

[mprachar]

I've been working on APE+CUE support and have two PRs ready:

1. Add APE+CUE splitting via ffmpeg convert-then-split golift/xtractr#133 — APE+CUE splitting via ffmpeg convert-then-split. Converts APE to a temporary FLAC (compression level 0 for speed), then runs the existing splitFLAC() pipeline unchanged. Lossless, sample-accurate, minimal code change (~50 lines). Requires ffmpeg with APE decoder support on the system.

2. Fix cross-platform CUE split path resolution and ManualImport #621 — Fixes cross-platform CUE split ManualImport (affects both FLAC+CUE and APE+CUE). When unpackerr runs on Linux but Starr apps run on Windows (or Docker with different mount paths), the ManualImport path resolution fails silently. This PR fixes path comparison, folder resolution, and the import trigger.

Both are tested end-to-end on a live setup (Linux unpackerr + Windows Lidarr + NAS) with APE albums including Buckethead, Aretha Franklin, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (3CD), and Stray Cats.

[kontell]

Just as an experiment I set Claude off on this and it managed to successfully split an album.

See: golift/xtractr@d24f4fb