FLAC - documentation

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cannam@86: using flac cannam@86:

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cannam@86: 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: cannam@86:

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

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cannam@86: windows cannam@86:

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cannam@86: Using iTunes? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; ask Apple to support FLAC!
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cannam@86: If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players: cannam@86:

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.
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cannam@86: 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. cannam@86:

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.
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cannam@86: If you want to burn FLAC files to CD, here is a short list of the most popular programs: cannam@86:

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.
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cannam@86: If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC, there are quite a few programs: cannam@86:

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
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cannam@86: If you want to edit the tags in FLAC files: cannam@86:

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

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cannam@86: mac os x cannam@86:

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cannam@86: Using iTunes? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; ask Apple to support FLAC!
cannam@86:
cannam@86: If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players: cannam@86:

Cog
MacAmp Lite X
Songbird
VLC
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cannam@86: If you want to rip CDs to FLAC, there are a few options: cannam@86:

Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.
Max.

cannam@86: If you want to burn FLAC files to CD: cannam@86:

Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.

cannam@86: If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC: cannam@86:

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

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cannam@86: *nix cannam@86:

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cannam@86: 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.
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cannam@86: To play FLAC files: cannam@86:

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
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cannam@86: To rip CDs to FLAC: cannam@86:

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.
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cannam@86: To burn FLAC files to CD, here is a short list of the most popular programs: cannam@86:

Arson: KDE ripper/burner
K3B: CD/DVD creator for Linux
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cannam@86: To convert audio files to/from FLAC, there are quite a few programs: cannam@86:

Official FLAC tools have the command-line programs.
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