Okay, this sounds like an odd question, given that FLAC is a wonderful, lossless format, but, given the fact that most media player outlets (mainly iTunes, where I have all my music stored), refuse to acknowledge the FLAC format, I must ask if there is a converter program that has minimal loss of quality.

Now, I've tried Freemake Audio Converter, I've tried DVD Video Soft's converter, and I've tried the Koytesoft converter as well. Sadly, all of these have more or less given me some sort of audio glitch of some sort.

For instance, Koytesoft has a habit of adding an audible 'click' sound to the track, almost as if the file were damaged. DVD Video Soft causes the track to a background hiss that makes the music sound muffled or murky, which is a problem I've also run into using Freemake Audio Converter.

Of the three, Freemake seems to have the least issues, but still has the 'murky' effect to the file (I even compared the audio quality of the original FLAC and the mp3).

So there's my dilemma. While FLAC is a great format, all of my music is stored in iTunes, and most audio players don't want to acknowledge FLAC, for whatever reason. Any help solving this issue would be incredibly welcome and appreciated.

Currently, I'm using a Windows computer, because the world is cruel and I cannot yet afford a Mac.

Thank you all for your help.

iTunes may not acknowledge FLAC, but it still acknowledges lossless files: ALAC and AIFF.

And before someone comes in here going off on a tangent and telling you to use this program or that program - if you have a Mac, check out XLD. Or not. Your preference. That's what I use.

Seconding the vote for XLD on the Mac.

XLD direct download from sourceforge here (http://sourceforge.net/projects/xld/files/xld-20151214.dmg).

iTunes may not acknowledge FLAC, but it still acknowledges lossless files: ALAC and AIFF.

And before someone comes in here going off on a tangent and telling you to use this program or that program - if you have a Mac, check out XLD. Or not. Your preference. That's what I use.

I'm on Windows, sadly, so a Mac Program won't work, but thank you nonetheless for the advice! I'm sure if I ever get a Mac (which is eventual, considering I'm already using an iPhone, and an iPad), then I'll keep that information in mind.

Dude... complete wrong section.

And Foobar it great for conversions.

Why mp3 anyway, when m4a is the the more recent, superior codec?

VBR-0 is completely fine.

I just use Media IO.

media.io/

Avoid AIF/AIFF. They're the Apple version of uncompressed WAV.
All your files will be at least double the size with this.

Use ALAC, lossless compression.
You save space while keeping quality.

Anything Apple-created (iTunes) will not use FLAC as it's not Apple's proprietary lossless codec (Apple Lossless Audio Codec: ALAC).

But, most Windows media players, in fact, will accept FLAC. The license it falls under allows general distribution, for the most part.
If they don't support FLAC out of the box, then they should have a codec pack to download/install (Foobar2000).

Freemake Audio Converter, DVD Video Soft's converter, and Koytesoft converter are all cheap, indie software. I'd avoid them at all costs.
There is no telling if they update their libraries, at all. Plus given the usual problems that you observe.

If you're on Windows, Foobar2000 is great, but has a steep learning curve for first-timers.
dBpoweramp is well rounded and slightly easier, but a hassle to install every single plugin (including extra codec support).
There's a couple freeware software I can recommend, but they're adware as they depend on ads for installation (which can easily be blocked with Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware), and also their general first-time run is clunky for users who just want single-click solutions.

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:09 PM ----------


Why mp3 anyway, when m4a is the the more recent, superior codec?

*container.

M4A = container
format = AAC = Advanced Audio Codec

Awesome for lossy compression. ABX AAC at lowbitrate with mp3 at low bitrate. Say, 128 for both.

I also strongly recommend foobar2000. Can also split your cue/single album flac into tracks. Also plays music. Can also even turn to ALAC.

You can use ALAC, or you can get dBpoweramp Music Converter, and use that.

It's literally the best converter I've ever used, and I continue to use it to this day.

Either way, it's a win-win, well, you lose quality with converting to MP3, of course. :p

M4A = container
format = AAC = Advanced Audio Codec

Ya, I know, but anytime I've ever typed "AAC" some Apple hater chimes in refusing over his dead body to adopt anything made by Apple. It's got not one, but two As in it, so it must be Apple's, right?

Go figure.

Anything Apple-created (iTunes) will not use FLAC as it's not Apple's proprietary lossless codec (Apple Lossless Audio Codec: ALAC).

Not anymore. Apple made the codec open source a few years ago.

Yeah, I know it went open source.

But no one is maintaining the code anymore. It's unoptimized compared to improvements to FLAC.
Apple can't do 17-23 bit in a 24-bit container. It will use overbloated size as if it were true 24-bit. Unless there's a command that's being overlooked.
FLAC will zero out extra bits as needed.

It's really Apple's fault that it won't create two separate programs for two separate OS'es.
They treat them all as the same product on the same OS.

Codec is the symptom.
OS is the disease you must fight.

Ya, I know, but anytime I've ever typed "AAC" some Apple hater chimes in refusing over his dead body to adopt anything made by Apple. It's got not one, but two As in it, so it must be Apple's, right?

Go figure.

Ironically, listening tests consistently rate Apple's AAC encoder as the best in most scenarios. Whilst I am not a fan of Apple, credit where credit's due - it's not their codec, but they've done a great deal for it over the years. Opus is edging it out of the limelight now; at least from a technical perspective; Opus is doing OK in VoIP land, but as a consumer-friendly ubiquitous lossy music encoder, it basically doesn't exist. The world doesn't really need another lossy encoder; the ones we have already are mature and listening tests say even MP3 can be transparent at higher bitrates...)

Hey bronyman.

If you're open to suggestions about switching your media library to whatever software the votes point to, I would cast mine toward MediaMonkey, as I'm quite content with the beast, been a few years now too. However, the complete version is not free, and perhaps not as popular as others might be. I have been a foobar2000 person, so there's that. Others have mentioned it, it's nice and free, you can't go wrong with this, and a large community too when you need plugins and what not.

Now if you're definitive about keeping iTunes (I would definitely advise against it, but whatever floats your boat, you know ?), ALAC is probably your best bet. If you're concerned about disk space, and you're certain you won't need further conversions (because converting lossy to lossy is, well, a bad idea, which is why I keep FLAC myself), you can always go for mp3 320. Pretty straightforward, and still the most common format around here, no question about it. Incidentally, I'm not calling liar on anybody pretending to distinguish mp3 320 from FLAC but... yeah well, maybe I am.

And as far as a converter is concerned, dBpoweramp all the way. No real challenger in my opinion. You can pretty much convert anything to anything, with almost every aspect of the audio file you might dream of, you can convert one file or large batches, it's multi-threaded, fast, efficient, sober, you name it.
dBpoweramp is your friend.

I use MediaHuman Audio Converter. Never had problems with it.

wav mp3 convertor is great :)

http://www.wav-mp3.com/