documentation_tasks.html

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layout: default
title: Using FLAC
---
		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 what environment you want to play FLAC files:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="documentation_tasks.html#windows">Windows</a></li>
			<li><a href="documentation_tasks.html#osx">Mac OS X</a></li>
			<li><a href="documentation_tasks.html#unix">Linux, *BSD, and other Unixes</a></li>
			<li><a href="links.html">Portable players, set-top boxes, car audio etc.</a></li>
		</ul>

		<h2>Windows</h2>
		<b>If you want to play FLAC files</b>, here is how with some popular players:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.foobar2000.org/"><b>foobar2000</b></a> - A nice player that converts as well</li>
			<li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b></li>
			<li><a href="http://www.winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp plays FLAC out of the box (download the Full version to also get FLAC encoding).</li>
			<li>(<a href="download.html#extras_players_windows">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to rip CDs to FLAC</b>, 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.
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/"><b>Exact Audio Copy (EAC)</b></a> - The official download ships with FLAC</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp can rip to FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).</li>
			<li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b> - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to rip to FLAC in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.</li>		
			<li>(<a href="download.html#extras_gui_windows">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to burn FLAC files to CD</b>, here is a short list of the most popular programs:
		<ul>
			<li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b> - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to burn FLAC to CD in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.burrrn.net/?page_id=4"><b>Burrrn</b></a> - Supports burning from FLAC out of the box.</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.nero.com/"><b>Nero</b></a> - Supports FLAC starting from version 9</li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC</b>, there are quite a few programs:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp can convert to/from FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).</li>
			<li><a href="http://dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm"><b>dbPowerAMP Music Converter</b></a></li>
			<li><a href="http://www.foobar2000.org/"><b>foobar2000</b></a> - A nice player that converts as well</li>
			
			<li>(<a href="download.html#extras_gui_windows">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to edit the tags in FLAC files</b>:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.mp3tag.de/en/index.html"><b>mp3tag</b></a> - A free tag editor which supports editing tags, autotagging from online databases, cover art, and more.</li>
			<li>Most players (like foobar2000 and Winamp) are able to edit FLAC-tags as well</li>
		</ul>
		<h2>Mac OS</h2>
		<b>If you want to play FLAC files</b>, here is how with some popular players:
		<ul>

			<li><a href="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html">VLC</a></li>
			<li><a href="http://www.clementine-player.org/">Clementine</a></li>
			<li>(<a href="download.html#extras_players_osx">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to rip CDs to FLAC</b>, there are a few options:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.freac.org/">Free Audio Converter</a>, a free GUI audio file converter</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder">XLD</a> a nice GUI ripper/converter/burner</li>
			<li><a href="http://sbooth.org/Max/">Max</a></li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to burn FLAC files to CD</b>:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder">XLD</a> a nice GUI ripper/converter/burner</li>
		</ul>
		<b>If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC</b>:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://www.freac.org/">Free Audio Converter</a>, a free GUI audio file converter</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder">XLD</a> a nice GUI ripper/converter/burner</li>
			<li><a href="http://macppc.softpedia.com/get/Audio/MacFLAC.shtml">MacFLAC</a>.  Also includes our <a href="documentation_tools.html">command-line programs</a> for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.chaoticsoftware.com/ProductPages/MediaRage.html">MediaRage</a> can edit FLAC tags.</li>
		</ul>
		<h2>*nix</h2>
        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 <a href="links.html#software">software links section</a> for many more.<br />
		<br />
		<b>To play FLAC files</b>:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://alsaplayer.sourceforge.net/">AlsaPlayer</a></li>
			<li><a href="http://amarok.kde.org/">Amarok</a></li>
			<li><a href="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/">MPlayer</a></li>
			<li><a href="http://muine.gooeylinux.org/">Muine</a>: a music player for GNOME</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.videolan.org/">VideoLAN</a> client</li>
			<li><a href="http://xine.sourceforge.net/">Xine</a> multimedia player</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.amb.org/xmcd/">xmcd</a>: X CD player</li>
			<li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>To rip CDs to FLAC</b>:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/grip/">Grip</a> is a great ripping and encoding front end and can be easily configured to use flac.  See <a href="http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=45939">this thread</a> on how to configure Grip for FLAC.</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.amb.org/xmcd/">xmcd</a> is a CD ripper with CDDB support as well as a player.</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.k3b.org/">K3B</a>, for KDE, has ripping possibilities</li>
			<li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>To burn FLAC files to CD</b>, here is a short list of the most popular programs:
		<ul>
			<li><a href="http://arson.sourceforge.net/">Arson</a>: KDE ripper/burner</li>
			<li><a href="http://www.k3b.org/">K3B</a>: CD/DVD creator for Linux</li>
			<li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
		<b>To convert audio files to/from FLAC</b>, there are quite a few programs:
		<ul>
			<li>Official <a href="download.html">FLAC tools</a> have the command-line programs.</li>
			<li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li>
		</ul>
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