FLAC Files to iTunes

Posted by: J.N. on 25 July 2015

Can someone please recommend a good app (ideally free) to enable me to convert FLAC files and play them with iTunes.

 

Thanks.

 

John.

Posted on: 25 July 2015 by Zeny

XLD for Mac.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by james n
Originally Posted by Zeny:

XLD for Mac.

+1. Just importing some downloads using it.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by ChrisSU
XLD works for me too, and it's free. I convert to AIFF for Mac and iOS. Or you can use VLC to play FLAC on your Mac instead of using iTunes.
Posted on: 26 July 2015 by Fredrik A

I use a program called xAct. I use XLD for ripping CD's but I think xAct is simpler to use for converting files.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by simes_pep

dBpoweramp for Win & Mac (I believe as not a Mac user) has a Batch convert process where you can select folder structures and recreate the folder structure but with converted file formats, so in this case FLAC to ALAC or AAC. You can set the format conversion type ALAC, AAC 256, AAC 128 etc and let it go.

 

You then in iTunes add folder, which if you select the highest level of the tree, it will import all folders and sub-folders into iTunes. Just be careful with the flag in iTunes 'Let iTunes organise' as this will rename the folders as they are imported to match the metadata which may be different to your original file structure names. So if you want to control the folder naming uncheck this.

 

In both steps you can add to an existing folder structure but dBPowerAmp not overwriting existing folders/files & iTunes not importing existing albums/tracks.

 

i think also there another program that watches your FLAC library and converts any new entries to an iTunes version. That mignt be useful if you want to maintain a mirrored version.

 

I use to try that, but have given up as I had more in the iTunes library that any iPod/iPhone could hold, so have to use Playlists to sync a selection. So I now just convert on demand, and add to Playlists to add to iPod/iPhone contents.

 

hope this helps - have fun.

Simon

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by Bart

John, as Wat points out, you do have options.  Convert, or install a plug-in that will allow iTunes to deal with flac files.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by Erich

I also use xld to rip and xAct to convert. If you convert using xAct, solve metadata before converting. Fixes that affect the whole album are easier for FLAC files than for AIFF.

Audirvana also has  a free version (don't know if the is true for the new version) and you don't need to convert.

 

I finally decided to go AIFF instead of FLAC 'cos MAC work better with them. 

 

Regards.

Erich

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by Erich

No problem at all with xAct nor XLD. Both are for free.

 

Regards.

 

Erich

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by J.N.

Many thanks for the replies and advice folks. Digital fettling ahoy.

 

John.

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by magicaxeman

Media human audio converter, I've used it for years and it effortlessly converts flac to  alac as well as other audio formats.