Hey gang,

So, up to this point I have always used iTunes to collect music. (Don’t curse me, I know. I KNOW!) I am entering the new age with flac files and that whole thing. My question is, Im a mac guy so what program do I need to use to collect, listen to, and burn my new music? The ease of iTunes is excellent. Is there anything similar for FLAC files?

What do you all recommend for us new guys?

Thank you!

—Chuckster

No need to stop using iTunes if you like it. I just use the free xACT to decode/convert FLACs to AIF before importing them into iTunes. If you just want something to burn FLACs to disc, then Toast Titanium is good.

I don’t use a MAC, I use a PC, but I use iTunes for personal stuff. I’ve heard a lot of criticism but my limited use it does what I need. I use dbPowerAmp (I believe that is good on both MACs and PCs) for converting FLAC to M4A to listen to use on my iPod.

Burning discs I like Burn a lot (again I think Burn has both MAC and PC versions but I’m not 100% certain).

OOOoooooo … and I always archive FLACs, never lose the original file.

JasonA: No need to stop using iTunes if you like it. I just use the free xACT to decode/convert FLACs to AIF before importing them into iTunes. If you just want something to burn FLACs to disc, then Toast Titanium is good.

Same here. I use xACT to convert FLACs into mp3s which I dump into iTunes. I then store the FLACs on an external HD for future trading and to save space on my mac.
I’m no audiophile, so mp3s for personal listening works great for me.

Burn does work on macs, too, but I haven’t burned anything in quite some time – just keep it all on HDs.

Gilligan: Same here.I use xACT to convert FLACs into mp3s which I dump into iTunes.I then store the FLACs on an external HD for future trading and to save space on my mac. I’m no audiophile, so mp3s for personal listening works great for me.

Burn does work on macs, too, but I haven’t burned anything in quite some time – just keep it all on HDs.

I do about the same on Mac. xACT to Mp3 or Aiff for iTunes. Keep all FLACs archived on external drives.

converting is super quick… still wish iTunes would handle Flac natively though

I’ve tried xACT and use XLD to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless Format. Both are super fast and easy to use. My only problem is I can’t tag all the tracks before converting.. so I have to do that once the files are in iTunes, adding an extra step or 2 in order to prevent iTunes from dropping the files in to an ‘unknown artist’ folder. Has anyone found a workaround to this ?

VAiN: I’ve tried xACT and use XLD to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless Format. Both are super fast and easy to use. My only problem is I can’t tag all the tracks before converting.. so I have to do that once the files are in iTunes, adding an extra step or 2 in order to prevent iTunes from dropping the files in to an ‘unknown artist’ folder. Has anyone found a workaround to this ?

You can edit tags directly in both xACT and XLD:
xACT has a “Tags” tab, drag files into there to edit and click Write Tags when done. Do this BEFORE converting.
You can also open all the files in XLD and then Select All. Click the Edit Metadata button to edit tags and make changes before converting.

JasonA: You can edit tags directly in both xACT and XLD: xACT has a “Tags” tab, drag files into there to edit and click Write Tags when done. Do this BEFORE converting. You can also open all the files in XLD and then Select All. Click the Edit Metadata button to edit tags and make changes before converting.

Thanks! I’ll give that a try!

I took your advice and went with a MediaFire account, and am using xACT to convert the files. I have a few bootlegs that were out in the garage, I think some Zeppelin, some Robert Plant, possibly some Van Halen (that everyone already has) and a few others. I’ll put up everything I have to share as soon as I have a free minute!

Do you all just share your links? Or what is the best way to offer what I have to you all?