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Topic: Apple Lossless DEcoding (Read 3743 times) previous topic - next topic
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Apple Lossless DEcoding

I have a FLAC library (~200GB) that I am converting to Apple lossless to take advantage of iTunes/AirTunes.  (I’m doing the FLAC>WMA Lossless>ALC thing).

Basically, I want the ability to bail from ALC if something else comes along and remain lossless.  Ideas other than keeping a FLAC/WMA copy and ALC copies on the drive(s)?  I’d like to ditch the WMA file if I can to save space.

So, is there a decoder to decode ALC (with tags intact) back to the lossless codec of choice (i.e. FLAC, or WMA LL)?  I’m afraid Apple will stick me in proprietary hell with their codec!

Apple Lossless DEcoding

Reply #1 –
Quote
I have a FLAC library (~200GB) that I am converting to Apple lossless to take advantage of iTunes/AirTunes.  (I’m doing the FLAC>WMA Lossless>ALC thing).

Basically, I want the ability to bail from ALC if something else comes along and remain lossless.  Ideas other than keeping a FLAC/WMA copy and ALC copies on the drive(s)?  I’d like to ditch the WMA file if I can to save space.

So, is there a decoder to decode ALC (with tags intact) back to the lossless codec of choice (i.e. FLAC, or WMA LL)?  I’m afraid Apple will stick me in proprietary hell with their codec!

Apple lets you decode to AIFF or WAV whenever you want. Just go to Options -> Encoder -> change to WAV or AIFF. Right click on the AL file, and go to "Convert to WAV" or AIFF. From there, you have the same exact file, tags "intact". The tags, for the time being, are stored in Apple's metadata database instead of in the actual file because there is no way to tag a .wav file (or if there is, they don't do it).

You'll have to retag the files yourself, but in no way are you being 'locked' into Apple's proprietary format. For example, you can also open them in Quicktime Pro™ and save them to WAV...

Apple Lossless DEcoding

Reply #2 –
Thanks Powermac, thats good to know.  I didnt realize there was a native "decoder" in iTunes.  I spent a long time ripping these CDs and I want to be sure I never do it again!

Apple Lossless DEcoding

Reply #3 –
You can also use dbpowerAMP to transcode ALAC to other lossless codecs. There is currently a decoder in beta that will let you covert ALAC to other formats.

BTW, I thought it was techically ALAC and not ALE? 
 

Apple Lossless DEcoding

Reply #4 –
If you decode back to uncompressed, AIFF has the advantage over WAV of keeping tag info if you move the files out of iTunes. Also keep in mind iTunes can convert directly from ALAC to MP3 or AAC.