What is FLAC?

FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, an audio format similar to MP3, but lossless, meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. This is similar to how Zip works, except with FLAC you will get much better compression because it is designed specifically for audio, and you can play back compressed FLAC files in some player devices (car or home stereo devices) just like you would an MP3 file. And it is open-source.

OFF/BRUMA's flac releases are directly compressed from the wave source.

 

If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players:

• Windows Media Player (WMP) - Install the FLAC plugin It decodes also OGG, Theora and Speex files.
• Winamp - Winamp plays FLAC out of the box (download the Full version to also get FLAC encoding).
• dbPowerAMP Audio Player - Install the FLAC plugin.
• Media Center/Media Jukebox - Install the in_FLAC plugin.
• MediaMonkey - Plays FLAC out of the box.
• iTunes - No support.

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.

• 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.
• CDex - First install the official FLAC tools, then follow this guide.

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

• 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.

 

 

For more information visit: http://flac.sourceforge.net/documentation_tasks.html