Loading an AAC / MP3 file "manually"

Question

For an application I'm creating, I need to be able to read AAC and MP3 files and get the waveform data (not play it directly, I need to manipulate the data before playing). Ideally, I should be able to read any MP3/AAC file out there (VBR, different bitrates, etc), or at least anything that could potentially show up in iTunes.

This last point is very important, as Chuck commented. I assumed iTunes would be MP3s, I didn't know they used AAC. In essence, I must be able to read anything that is in iTunes.

What approach do you recommend me to use?
What kind of libraries are out there?

This is for a commercial application that will run on Windows, written in C# 3.0. I can use Open Source libraries, but nothing with a license that will make me release my source code later.

Any pointers are greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Take a look at mpg123 which is LGPL licenced.

There's also MAD, which is GPL but a commercial license can be negotiated.

For AAC there's FAAD2, but it is GPL. Not sure if other terms are available. Another source of enquiry might be checking the sources and licences used in this list of AAC software on wikipedia.