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Topic: Transcode flac for use on Mac (Read 2519 times) previous topic - next topic
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Transcode flac for use on Mac

Hi,

My digital music collection is in flac, one file per album with cue sheets. All data is on a Windows-box. I've now bought a Macbook, and want to bring some of the music with me. But there is no need to have lossless compression on my Macbook, so my intention is to transcode some of my albums into something else, playable by iTunes. Guess that my choices are AAC and MP3? But what to choose?

I'm not concerned about audio quality, guess both formats will do good enough. But what I want is the transcoding to be as hasslefree as possible. Both in terms of transcoding on my Windows computer, and for import into iTunes.

On my PC, I'm using foobar for playback, so I guess it's diskwriter is a good option?

/Anders

Transcode flac for use on Mac

Reply #1 –
how script savvy are you? I have all my cds archived as flacs for squeezebox and hi-fi use, but transcode them with Robin Bowes excellent script to convert them in to mp3 for use with iTunes and iPod...

works well for me. works by effectively syncing two directories, so as simple as clicking on an icon to resync when required.

http://robinbowes.com/search.php?query=fla...amp;mode=search

Transcode flac for use on Mac

Reply #2 –
It seems like that script needs one flac per track? I have one flac per album, with a cue sheet.

What about using foobar's diskwriter? Would that do?

Are there any special things to consider in terms of tagging mp3's so that iTunes reads them?

Transcode flac for use on Mac

Reply #3 –
Use the converter/diskwriter in foobar.  It sounds like you're using 8.3.  Is that right?  I would get tha latest version of LAME (from rarewares) to make mp3s.  Here's the command line option I would use:

-S --noreplaygain -V 5 --vbr-new - %d

You can adjust the -V setting to your liking.  5 produces files at around 128kbps.  The smaller the number the higher the quality and file size, and vice versa.

Also for output filename, I use this:

$if3(%album artist%, %artist%, Unknown)\$if2(%album%, Unknown)\[%tracknumber% ]%title%

That neatly creates a file structure dividing first by artist, then by album.  The files themselves are simply the tracknumber followed by the name of the song.

Transcode flac for use on Mac

Reply #4 –
No, I'm on 0.9.4. Does that change anything of your suggestions?

Transcode flac for use on Mac

Reply #5 –
Quote from: thoresson on
No, I'm on 0.9.4. Does that change anything of your suggestions?


In 9.4 the tool you want set up is simply called 'converter' and it has built in presets for lame.  That takes the place of the command line option from the earlier post.  Just make sure 'Fast mode' is checked.  Let me know if you run into any problems.