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Topic: Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC? (Read 5646 times) previous topic - next topic
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Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

I am converting the FLAC files in my music collection to Apple Lossless. Is there any reason why I should keep a copy of the original FLAC files? I couldn't imagine any reason why I should, since no actual data is being lost during the conversion, but maybe there is an element to this I am missing?

Your input is appreciated,
Jonathan

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #1 –
No, there isn't any reason to keep the original FLAC files.  Just make sure that your conversion software verifies your Apple lossless (ALAC) files.  There are some errors that can be introduced during the encoding process due to processor load and other issues.  These errors are rare but they can happen.  That is why you want software that will check the CRC values.  It will look at the CRC values of the FLAC files and compare them with the CRC values of the ALAC files.  Everything is fine if they all match up.

However, that being said, the conversion from FLAC to ALAC is 100% lossless.  You could even convert your ALAC files to WavPack (lossless, not the lossy version), WAV, AIFF, Monkey's Audio, FLAC, and then back to ALAC.  The newer ALAC file (encoded from all those other files) will have the exact same quality as your original FLAC files.

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: kornchild2002 on
Just make sure that your conversion software verifies your Apple lossless (ALAC) files.  There are some errors that can be introduced during the encoding process due to processor load and other issues.  These errors are rare but they can happen.  That is why you want software that will check the CRC values.  It will look at the CRC values of the FLAC files and compare them with the CRC values of the ALAC files.  Everything is fine if they all match up.


I'm using Easy CD-DA Extractor to convert my FLAC audio to Apple Lossless files. It seems to be to doing a pretty good job so far (quick, easy to setup), but I haven't been comparing the CRC values of the Apple Lossless files to the FLAC originals. Is it possible to do this with Easy CD-DA Extractor or do I need to use a different application such as dBpoweramp? Is it possible to compare CRC values after the fact? I've already converted the vast majority of my FLAC files to Apple Lossless.

Once again, I appreciate your input,
Jonathan

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #3 –
From my experience the errors introduced, if any, during a FLAC to ALAC conversion are rare.  I use dBpowerAMP to convert any lossless files (FLAC, WAV, WavPack) to Apple lossless.  It has the ability to check the CRC value.

I am not sure about CD-DA as I have only ever used three applications for ripping CDs: iTunes, EAC, and dBpowerAMP.  I now only use foobar2000 and dBpowerAMP for all of my conversion needs.  You might be able to check CRC values after the fact using foobar2000 but I am not sure.

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: JLanguage on
I'm using Easy CD-DA Extractor to convert my FLAC audio to Apple Lossless files. It seems to be to doing a pretty good job so far (quick, easy to setup), but I haven't been comparing the CRC values of the Apple Lossless files to the FLAC originals. Is it possible to do this with Easy CD-DA Extractor or do I need to use a different application such as dBpoweramp? Is it possible to compare CRC values after the fact? I've already converted the vast majority of my FLAC files to Apple Lossless.

Once again, I appreciate your input,
Jonathan


Prompted by your posting, I tried using Easy CD-DA to convert FLAC files to ALAC today. And while it worked, I found that the resultant files were much bigger than when I take the much longer route of FLAC to WAV to ALAC, using Foobar2000 for the furst step and iTunes for the latter. The ALAC files created by Easy CD-DA have a fixed bitrate whereas the iTunes ones are variable.

Is this also your experience? Or are there some settings in Easy CD-DA that enables use of variable bit rates?

Cheers... /S

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #5 –
something is wrong, lossless compression is vbr.  it cannot guarantee a fixed bitrate that is less than the source rate.

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: brovig on
Prompted by your posting, I tried using Easy CD-DA to convert FLAC files to ALAC today. And while it worked, I found that the resultant files were much bigger than when I take the much longer route of FLAC to WAV to ALAC, using Foobar2000 for the furst step and iTunes for the latter. The ALAC files created by Easy CD-DA have a fixed bitrate whereas the iTunes ones are variable.

Is this also your experience? Or are there some settings in Easy CD-DA that enables use of variable bit rates?

Cheers... /S
According to MediaInfo, the ALAC files I encoded with Easy CD-DA Extractor are VBR.  Compared to the FLAC originals, the ALAC files have slightly higher bitrates and slightly larger file sizes.

Compare the FLAC MediaInfo data for the song "How To Save A Life"


To the ALAC MediaInfo data:


Quote from: jcoalson on
something is wrong, lossless compression is vbr.  it cannot guarantee a fixed bitrate that is less than the source rate.
Assuming the MediaInfo data is accurate, using Easy CD-DA Extractor to convert FLAC to ALAC
creates VBR tracks that are comparable in size and bitrate to the originals. My only concern is that so far I it seems there is no way to configure Easy CD-DA Extractor to check CRC values.

Keeping FLAC files after conversion to ALAC?

Reply #7 –
Presumably Easy CD-DA uses a less efficient compression algorithm.  Maybe it can be configured to take more time over the process as a trade-off for achieving higher compression.  That's what other lossless encoders seem to do.

Quote from: Paul Sanders on
Presumably Easy CD-DA uses a less efficient compression algorithm (than iTunes).  Maybe it can be configured to take more time over the process as a trade-off for achieving higher compression.  That's what other lossless encoders seem to do.
I am an independent software developer (VinylStudio) based in UK