FLAC - documentation
Author: Josh Coalson
Description: A free, open source codec for lossless audio compression and decompression
Keywords: free,lossless,audio,codec,encoder,decoder,compression,compressor,archival,archive,archiving,backup,music

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using flac
Since FLAC is supported by so many different programs, it can be a daunting task for the new user to choose a suitable program. This page will walk you through the steps. First, choose your operating system:

- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Linux, *BSD, and other Unixes

windows
Using iTunes? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; ask Apple to support FLAC!
If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players:

- Windows Media Player (WMP) - Microsoft does not make it easy, but it is possible if you follow this guide: How to add FLAC support to Windows Media Player
- Winamp - Winamp plays FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).
- dbPowerAMP Audio Player - Install the FLAC plugin.
- Media Center/Media Jukebox - Install the in_FLAC plugin.
- MediaMonkey - Plays FLAC out of the box.
- (more)

If you want to rip CDs to FLAC, here is a short list of the most popular programs. Experts generally prefer EAC for the most accurate ripping. dbPowerAMP also does a fine job and is easier to set up.

- Windows Media Player (WMP) - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to rip to FLAC in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.
- Winamp - Winamp can rip to FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).
- dbPowerAMP Music Converter - Install the FLAC plugin.
- Media Center/Media Jukebox - Install the Enc_FLAC plugin.
- Exact Audio Copy (EAC) - First install the official FLAC tools, then follow this guide. EAC is notoriously complex so here are some other guides: guide guide guide guide. EAC can also be set up with AutoFLAC, Omni Encoder, or MAREO to rip to FLAC or multiple formats at once.
- CDex - First install the official FLAC tools, then follow this guide.
- (more)

If you want to burn FLAC files to CD, here is a short list of the most popular programs:

- Windows Media Player (WMP) - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to burn FLAC to CD in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.
- dbPowerAMP CD Writer - Install the FLAC plugin.
- Burrrn - Supports burning from FLAC out of the box.
- (more)

If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC, there are quite a few programs:

- Winamp - Winamp can convert to/from FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).
- dbPowerAMP Music Converter - Install the FLAC plugin.
- FLAC Frontend - A simple GUI that comes in our FLAC Installer for Windows. Also includes our command-line programs for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.
- foobar2000 - A swiss army knife that supports FLAC out of the box.
- MediaMonkey
- (more)

If you want to edit the tags in FLAC files:

- mp3tag - A free tag editor which supports editing tags, autotagging from online databases, cover art, and more.

mac os x
Using iTunes? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; ask Apple to support FLAC!
If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players:

- Cog
- MacAmp Lite X
- Songbird
- VLC
- (more)

If you want to rip CDs to FLAC, there are a few options:

- Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.
- Max.

If you want to burn FLAC files to CD:

- Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.

If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC:

- Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.
- MacFLAC. Also includes our command-line programs for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.
- MediaRage can edit FLAC tags.

*nix
In the Unix world, FLAC support is quite widespread and it's usually only a matter of installing packages, so here are a few pointers. See the software links section for many more.
To play FLAC files:

- AlsaPlayer
- GiantDisc: Linux jukebox + Palm remote
- MPlayer
- Muine: a music player for GNOME
- Musik: an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player and library
- VideoLAN client
- Xine multimedia player
- xmcd: X CD player
- XMMS: X MultiMedia System
- (more)

To rip CDs to FLAC:

- Grip is a great ripping and encoding front end and can be easily configured to use flac. See this thread on how to configure Grip for FLAC.
- xmcd is a CD ripper with CDDB support as well as a player.
- (more)

To burn FLAC files to CD, here is a short list of the most popular programs:

- Arson: KDE ripper/burner
- K3B: CD/DVD creator for Linux
- (more)

To convert audio files to/from FLAC, there are quite a few programs:

- Official FLAC tools have the command-line programs.
- (more)

Copyright (c) 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007 Josh Coalson |  |  |