Educate me on FLAC

jervin007

So, I have never really jumped onboard the FLAC bandwagon. I know the sound is superior, but I listen to most music on my IPOD or in the car and, from my understanding, FLAC files don't work in cars/ipods. However, I do want to start accumulating the best quality shows possible so I was hoping you experts could educate me.

Do you need a certain music player? Recommendations?
After you buy FLAC downloads is there a way to convert them to MP3's so you can listen to them on IPODS?
Can you only listen to them through your computer or is there a way to transfer these high quality files to portable music players...if they even make FLAC players.

I am a complete and total novice, so any insight on all things FLAC would be much appreciated!

NewJPage

FLAC works in ipods. just need to convert the files with xact or similar program

KV4053

I download and rip exclusively to FLAC. I have a Cowon player which handles FLAC. For the car, I can hook up the Cowon, but I use it mostly as standalone player with headphones. Most of the new Sony players can play FLAC files. The cheapy Sansa players also play FLAC, but dont have enough storage for big collections. Unfortunately, there are ways to play FLAC via your home system, but I haven't found a great set up yet.

FLAC can be converted to other file types such as mp3 or apple types. DB PowerAmp software is among the best software apps. Google Music will automatically convert FLAC when uploading.

Once you go FLAC, you'll never go back.

buck502000

FLAC is a non-Apple file type, the files will not work on your IStuff. You can convert to apple lossless(ALAC). But if you do not want to do that, get a windows-based computer and non-Apple portable device. I use ALAC for everything I can. I buy CD's and vinyl. I keep all my physical media in case I change my mind about format later on.

kce8

I got Hartford Bootleg as FLAC but it didn´t work on my Window 7 Computer. I have no idea what´s wrong or what I have to do so I converted it to mp3 . If someone could explain it I will be very grateful.

mrussel1

kce8 said:

I got Hartford Bootleg as FLAC but it didn´t work on my Window 7 Computer. I have no idea what´s wrong or what I have to do so I converted it to mp3 . If someone could explain it I will be very grateful.

You probably don't have the correct Codec installed to run FLAC. An easy way to fix it is to download Winamp which is my player of choice. Just install free Winamp and import your media. The FLAC codec should install automatically. If it doesn't for whatever reason, you can just search for Winamp flac codec.

If you really like the media player you use, just research FLAC codec for that particular player. If you are using Itunes, then I'm not sure there is a solution for that.

FLAC is far superior especially if you are going to burn to disc or listen on decent home speakers.

The poster above is correct. DB Poweramp is an essential tool. It will use all of your cores on your PC to convert music to and from any format and it's blazing fast. If you want a copy, PM me and I can drop box it to you.

Zod

For when I'm walking or on the bus to work I use my Cowon mp3/flac player to listen to Flac. I use poweramp on my phone if I don't have the player handy. My home stereo has a media box called a popcorn hour a400 which plays all sorts of media files including FLAC.

The only place I don't use flac is the car. The car stereo only does mp3. I can plug in my phone or player through aux but the digital to analog conversion feels like something is lost. With mp3 I plug a flash drive right into the deck and play the music directly

FLAC is pretty sweet. CD quality at half the file size. With how big memory is getting I hope FLAC continues to spread.

I also believe it's opensource which is why it's supported on pretty much anything. It's another reason I don't like Apple. Instead of using a common open source format they had to invent their own for their devices.... pretty annoying.

MedozK

I convert all my Flac to ALAC (Apple Lossless) with DB Poweramp

RedMosquito02

VLC is a great FLAC player...there's an app for your iOS products, so don't listen to the misinformation.

VLC Player works on all iOS devices and Mac computers, too.

It's a good idea to start with FLAC (master) files and rip to mp3 or ALAC as @MedozK and @buck502000 said above, if you don't want to use VLC to play the files.

Here's the download for your desktop: http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html

Red Lukin

Easy

Flac. I always burn to cd. Then I can listen to the cd on my home stereo and car.

MP3. Once I have the flac cd I rip it to iTunes. Then iTunes has the mp3 and now I can listen anywhere (iPod, car, home stereo etc).

I've been doing this for years. I can listen to good quality flac when I want and also have access to the music via mp3.

Good luck.

Red Lukin

I also recommend VLC for the computer. It's good for flac, mp3, and video.

RedMosquito02

Red Lukin said:

I also recommend VLC for the computer. It's good for flac, mp3, and video.

:-bd

kwdaley

Foobar2000 is what I use to convert flac

jervin007

RedMosquito02 said:

VLC is a great FLAC player...there's an app for your iOS products, so don't listen to the misinformation.

VLC Player works on all iOS devices and Mac computers, too.

It's a good idea to start with FLAC (master) files and rip to mp3 or ALAC as @MedozK and @buck502000 said above, if you don't want to use VLC to play the files.

Here's the download for your desktop: http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html

Wow, thanks everyone. I have a feeling this will be another addiction compliments of the forum! Will be downloading the player momentarily and christening it with some 2013 shows in the near future. I have a bad feeling my wallet will once again be drained when I get a taste of FLAC.

jervin007

Zod said:

For when I'm walking or on the bus to work I use my Cowon mp3/flac player to listen to Flac. I use poweramp on my phone if I don't have the player handy. My home stereo has a media box called a popcorn hour a400 which plays all sorts of media files including FLAC.

The only place I don't use flac is the car. The car stereo only does mp3. I can plug in my phone or player through aux but the digital to analog conversion feels like something is lost. With mp3 I plug a flash drive right into the deck and play the music directly

FLAC is pretty sweet. CD quality at half the file size. With how big memory is getting I hope FLAC continues to spread.

I also believe it's opensource which is why it's supported on pretty much anything. It's another reason I don't like Apple. Instead of using a common open source format they had to invent their own for their devices.... pretty annoying.

Thanks for the info on how to optimize my home stereo. Don't know much about Cowon players (i have been a slave to IPODS for a decade) can you recommend a specific model or break down the perks of this player for me?

KV4053

jervin007 said:

RedMosquito02 said:

VLC is a great FLAC player...there's an app for your iOS products, so don't listen to the misinformation.

VLC Player works on all iOS devices and Mac computers, too.

It's a good idea to start with FLAC (master) files and rip to mp3 or ALAC as @MedozK and @buck502000 said above, if you don't want to use VLC to play the files.

Here's the download for your desktop: http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html

Wow, thanks everyone. I have a feeling this will be another addiction compliments of the forum! Will be downloading the player momentarily and christening it with some 2013 shows in the near future. I have a bad feeling my wallet will once again be drained when I get a taste of FLAC.

Nothing beats FLAC via a quality player and IEM's. It transports you to another place. The studio albums are best this way in my opinion. You'll hear stuff you never heard before

unforgiven

What exact portable flac players does everyone use. I use a Cowan x7, I wanted something with a lot of storage.

BN8419

You guys are missing the forest for the trees -

FLAC is is a lossless compression format. In other words, it converts raw audio by removing all of the data from what you can't hear, but keeping all of the data that you can hear. MP3 is also an audio compression format, but it is not lossless, it compresses audio data unilaterally, and squeezes everything, including what you can hear. This means that even with a high bit rate MP3 file, you still have lost some of the perceivable audio data. The more you edit or convert MP3 files into other MP3 files, the more compressed the data gets, and the more you lose. Like a copy of a copy of a tape. WIth FLAC, it always maintains the audible data, so you never get a loss of audio quality during the creation of the file from the raw audio source.

Listening to FLAC is not critical. Personally, I convert all of my FLAC to 320 kbps MP3. As long as the MP3 file is one generation away from the FLAC, it's practically impossible to hear a difference between it and the FLAC source. The key is to store your music data in FLAC format, and listen to it in high bit rate MP3 format.

Now, yes, you can listen to FLAC directly. As has been mentioned here, the are codecs and plugins that will allow you to do this with most media players. Apple is its own beast, it's ALAC format is similar, but it's all Appled-up, so screw it. But, really, focusing on how to listen to FLAC (or ALAC) is not very useful. A properly created high bit rate MP3, sourced from a lossless audio source (FLAC, SHN, there are others) is a perfectly nice way to listen to your music library. However, it's when you obtain MP3's that have been over compressed, decoded with low bit rate, or created from other MP3's, that's when you notice an audible difference. It's not just as simple as FLAC vs. MP3.

Now, consider yourselves educated.

MedozK

I have a computer that is completely dedicated to iTunes. I convert all CDs and FLAC to ALAC and store them on this computer. I then stream my iTunes library to all the rooms of my house using AppleTV. I love being able to listen to High Quality digital files at any time at any place in my house. I use my iPhone as a remote. And for portable use, I convert the original files to lower quality MP3s and put them on another computer that I connect my iPod too.

buck502000

MedozK said:

I have a computer that is completely dedicated to iTunes. I convert all CDs and FLAC to ALAC and store them on this computer. I then stream my iTunes library to all the rooms of my house using AppleTV. I love being able to listen to High Quality digital files at any time at any place in my house. I use my iPhone as a remote. And for portable use, I convert the original files to lower quality MP3s and put them on another computer that I connect my iPod too.

Very easy streamline solution, right? It just works. I use a macbook pro laptop and also do everything you mention above. (I have an airport express too.) Been doing this for about five years. And the only thing I have replaced is the battery in laptop. Someday, I want to get a dedicated mac mini just for music.

mrussel1

I use SqueezeBox by Logitech to stream my music. It streams FLAC, SHN, etc. It works great and sends a lossless signal to a router and then connects either Optical or stereo to your receiver. All the data is resided on your PC. There are nice apps for it on google play and itunes too. The new one has a tremendous DAC and is really is crisp.
I've heard Sonos is really nice too, but much more expensive.