Your friends do not usually convert their music tracks from one music format to another because they simply use same formats all the time? When you need to convert FLAC file to an Apple Lossless they tell you that they never had a need for such a conversion? The most common answer you get is: “google it”? Well, we have done that already and have a number of solutions for you.
- Unfortunately, iTunes does not support FLAC files, however, it has its own lossless format. Apple Lossless Audio Codec, ALAC in short, is very similar to FLAC – they both compress the data to the smallest size possible, making sure that no information is lost and it sounds just like the original.
- To take pleasure in incredible quality FLAC audio on Mac and any Apple devices, we need to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless. Click on “Profile” drop-down button to set “MP3 MPEG Layer-3 Audio (.mp3)” from “General Audio” as output format. I can’t think of any motive not to use ALAC with an Apple.
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ALAC Comparison If you compare ALAC vs. FLAC, you’ll see that there are few differences between the two codecs. They both use lossless compression, which is why the size of FLAC and ALAC files is usually larger than that of the files compressed with lossy codecs like MP3 or AAC.
FLAC & ALAC
Usually such problem is being faced by people who use iTunes and iOS devices. Unfortunately, iTunes does not support FLAC files, however, it has its own lossless format. Apple Lossless Audio Codec, ALAC in short, is very similar to FLAC – they both compress the data to the smallest size possible, making sure that no information is lost and it sounds just like the original. Never mind the minor differences in structure of the codecs, the main thing which separates them is the fact that FLAC is a free format, whereas ALAC was created by Apple for iTunes users.
Let’s have a look at a couple of different audio converter programs which help to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless:
MediaHuman: try to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless
MediaHuman is quite a good representative in this field – it is free, simple and supports a number of other formats. So if you ever need to convert any other format, let’s say WMA or OGG, you will be able to do so. It works very well with iTunes library and allows one to convert a couple of folders at the same time (for those who won’t be able to stop :P). The other useful features are that it helps one to extract audio track from video and keeps the folder structure. And the last but not least, you can choose the quality you want your new file to be. Since FLAC is a lossless format, we recommend you to choose the initial quality to make sure your ALAC file sounds just as great! It is available for both Windows and Mac and the only disadvantage might be that Apple users won’t be able to find it on the App store – one can only download it from the official website or mirror links on other websites.
Bigasoft FLAC Converter for Mac
Bigasoft created an audio converter specifically for Mac users. It can not only convert your FLAC files to Apple lossless, MP3, WMA or WAV, it will also do its best to preserve the highest quality of a sound. In addition, Bigasoft FLAC Converter for Mac can also be a very good editor for your FLAC files – you can trim the unwanted parts out, merge a couple of files together and even split your existing FLAC files. By the way, this converter can convert many different audio and video formats to FLAC too. As a cherry on top, due to a special technology used, the conversion process is super fast – you do not have to wait for your files to be converted anymore! The trial version can be downloaded from the official website for free, but for the full version you would have to pay $19.95.
iDeal Share VideoGo
This converter is not only for audio files but also for video. So if you are not only a music-phile, but also a film-lover, this converter is the one for you! Just like the above-mentioned programs, it can convert all FLAC files to Apple lossless and to a number of other formats. One can even convert their video files to Apple lossless! With the help of “Advanced settings” tab one can easily adjust the output and audio volume of the output ALAC file. The good thing is that there are versions available for Mac and Windows and one can also download a free trial version from their official website. The full version costs $29.99.
Alternative for FLAC to Apple lossless conversion
After checking out various audio converter programs, why not try a music player which can play both lossless FLAC and ALAC and lossy MP3? This would relieve you from a headache when you realize that you have to convert some of the files instead of listening to them straightaway. We offer you to try VOX Music Player out (download it here). This simple, yet powerful music player will take care of your music, regardless of the format it has. It is free and very easy to use, besides as a result of the hard work of its developers, it provides the best quality of sound. It also has a number of other great features such as Soundcloud integration and synchronization with all your iOS devices with the help of VOX Cloud – the unlimited cloud storage for all your music.
Why would you need to think about FLAC to Apple lossless conversion ever again? Let's enjoy the quality of sound without any restrictions!
Today we talked about FLAC to Apple lossless conversion and checked out 3 different programs. We also suggested a new solution for this problem – using a music player which can play both lossless and lossy formats so one does not have any need to convert.
Download VOX Player for your FLAC music collection!
As one of the fans of hi-res audio, you must be familiar with FLAC file.
You can play the FLAC files that are ripped from Your CD collections or bought from a hi-res store on many players such as a car or home stereo. However, when you want to import the FLAC files to iTunes and play them on iOS devices before iPhone 7 running in iOS 11, you will find none of the files.
FLAC is not accepted by iTunes or iOS devices before iPhone 7.
The solution to it is converting FLAC to Apple supported lossless format, Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).
The article not gibberish, but the detailed guide in 2 ways to convert FLAC to ALAC in the following description.
Part 1. How to Convert FLAC to ALAC without Losing Quality (Desktop)
Cmd key for mac. The easiest recommended way of converting FLAC to ALAC is using the desktop video converter, Vidmore Video Converter.
Vidmore Video Converter is the FLAC to ALAC converter for Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP and Mac.
It is the video and audio conversion program to batch convert FLAC to ALAC with keeping original quality by adjusting the codec, bitrate, sample rate, etc. Before converting, you can use the audio editing feature to clip FLAC file and merge them. Moreover, the hardware acceleration will speed up the FLAC to ALAC conversion, especially when you get a batch conversion task.
Follow the simple steps, you can convert FLAC music to ALAC audio files to play them easily on iPhone, iPad, iPod, and iTunes.
- Convert FLAC, WAV, AIFF, APE, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, etc., to ALAC.
- Extract ALAC from MP4, MOV, MKV, WMV, M4V, MXF, AVI, VOB, etc.
- Batch convert FLAC to ALAC files to save your time greatly.
- Adjust channel, sample rate, encoder, bitrate, etc., before converting FLAC.
Now, let’s break down the exact process of changing FLAC to ALAC.
Step 1. Download FLAC to ALAC converter
Free download Vidmore Video Converter to your computer thorough clicking the following download link to your computer. It has Windows and Mac version, and download the exact version you will need. After that, follow the on-screen instruction to install and run it.
Step 2. Add FLAC files
Click the “Add File” button to import the selected FLAC files and the whole FLAC folder into this software. Alternatively, you can just select the FLAC files firstly, and then drag and drop them into the converter directly.
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Step 3. Edit FLAC files (Optional)
This software provides you with audio editing features before converting to ALAC.
Click “Clip” to start trimming and splitting the FLAC files based on your needs.
Click “Edit” in the main interface to adjust the audio volume by moving the value bar.
Step 4. Customize ALAC codec
Convert Flac To Alac Mac Freeware
Input alac in the searching bar to find and select “ALAC – Apple Lossless Audio Codec (*.m4a)” from the drop-down list of “Profile”.
For more settings, you need to click the “Settings” option next to the ALAC output format to adjust the audio encodec, channels, bitrate, and sample rate.
Step 5. Convert FLAC to ALAC
You can click “Apply to All” to batch convert FLAC to ALAC as the output format. Then click “Convert” to start converting MP3 to OGG on your computer.
That’s all there is to it.
Vidmore is not the only FLAC to ALAC audio converter for Windows and Mac. You can try the free online audio converter in the next part.
Part 2. How to Convert FLAC to ALAC Online
Step 1: Go to https://www.files-conversion.com/audio-converter.php, click “Add a File” to upload one or more FLAC files into this free online audio converter.
Step 2: Select “ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) (.m4a)” from the drop-down list of “Convert to”.
Step 3: Click “Convert” to start changing FLAC to ALAC online.
Tips:
1. The free online FLAC to ALAC converters is slow to complete the conversion task.
2. Some of the sites may limit the use of file size or number
3. For the private FLAC files, you should take care.
Part 3. FAQs of FLAC to ALAC
1. FLAC VS. ALAC, which one is better?
ALAC, Apple Lossless, also known as Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), or Apple Lossless Encoder (ALE), is the lossless audio codec developed by Apple.
FLAC, Free Lossless Audio codec, is the lossless audio coding formats for digital audio. It is the open format with the royalty-free licensing with metadata tagging, album cover art, etc.
As the quality, they are both lossless quality.
As for the compatibility, FLAC can be played in most players like the car, home stereo, while ALAC is only compatible with Apple iTunes and iOS devices.
As for the file size, though both are lossless, ALAC’s compression isn't quite as efficient as FLAC’s, so your ALAC file may be a bit bigger than the same FLAC file.
Let’s be clear about something here, FLAC is the winner, but the only weakness is FLAC is not compatible with iTunes or iPhone 7 before running in iOS 11.
Mac Flac To Alac Converter
2. Can iTunes or VLC convert FLAC?
No.
Though iTunes can encode the songs to AAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, and WAV, it does not support converting FLAC files.
VLC is another universal media player and converter. However, it cannot convert FLAC to ALAC. It only lets you convert FLAC to MP3, AAC, AC-3, and OGG.
3. Will it lose quality after converting FLAC to ALAC?
No.
Generally speaking, both FLAC and ALAC are the lossless audio quality, so it will lose quality after converting from FLAC to ALAC or ALAC to FLAC. However, if you made some settings like sample rate, bitrate, etc., while converting between the two formats, you may find the quality will be changed.
4. Is M4A the same as ALAC?
No.
.m4a is the file extension of ALAC. Also, .m4a is the file extension of ACC (Advanced Audio Coding) file that is used by Apple.
AAC, similar to MP3 is the loss audio format and a bit more efficient than MP3. AAC is always used in iTunes Store with encryption or not, while ALAC does not use any DRM scheme; but it is feasible that DRM could be applied to ALAC for its MP4 container.
Though the file extension of them is identical, they use the different codec and ALAC is the lossless quality without losing any detail.
5. Should I convert all the FLAC files to ALAC for playing on iPhone or iPod?
No, you should not. More modern devices such as the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPad, etc., running iOS11.
Conclusion
Here, let’s cap things off with the conclusion.
For playing the hi-res audio FLAC file on iTunes or some iPhone, iPad, you need to convert FLAC to the lossless ALAC firstly. Here 2 ways of using the desktop software, Vidmore Video Converter, and the free online audio converter are available for you. Moreover, we also list the FAQs that many users may be confusing to help make them clear.
Now, it comes to your turn. Which way will you use?
Any suggestion to convert FLAC to ALAC?
Let me know by leaving your comments below.