Article: How To Convert HDtracks FLAC High Resolution Downloads and Add to iTunes (Video with Commentary)

[VandyMan]

I don't know what your problem is, but why are you trying to put words in my mouth? What I said is that HD Tracks should support an ADDITIONAL file format that many people use. It would be good for their business.<br />

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>>The point is ALAC is not as ubiquitous as FLAC.<br />

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I'm not sure this is true, but does it even matter? A lot of people use ALAC and would appreciate being able to buy files in this format.<br />

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>>Believe it or not, some people do not use Apple products, including iTunes free software, in any part of their music ecosystem<br />

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I never said otherwise.<br />

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I've been doing digital music for more than ten years and am well aware of the history of FLAC (and SHN before it), so your history lesson is of not interest to me.<br />

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I also have no interest in religious wars over nonsense. Lots of people use ALAC. They should support it and other formats, if they want more sales. End of story.<br />

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[goldsdad]

<i>"Since iTunes is also QuickTime based, you may be able to change preferences around and convert to 24/28 ALAC right from your library."</i><br />

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iTunes doesn't allow user control over conversion to ALAC - it just works in 'Automatic' mode, preserving sample-size and rate.<br />

iTunes does allow some user control over conversion to AIFF. Many sample-rates up to 48kHz are available. But, for some reason, only 8-bit and 16-bit sizes are available, so that's useless as an intermediate step to downsampling to 24-bit/48kHz ALAC.<br />

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There is always the option of using CLI afconvert (first converting to resampled AIFF, then to ALAC) but metadata is lost. <br />

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The only problem I have had with XLD conversions is that XLD doesn't read the metadata from AIFF, although it does write it to AIFF.<br />

[Richard Dale]

<p>I use a MacBook with iTunes to manage my AIFF encoded music. I play the music with Decibel as it has better sound quality than iTunes. I don't need ALAC at all. I can download music in FLAC format from sites like B&W Society of Sound or qobuz, and can easily convert it to AIFF with programs like XLD.</p><br />

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<p>If ALAC is so important for purchasing music then why doesn't Apple's iTunes store offer an option for purchasing ALAC files? Indeed it doesn't, and so all you can buy are compressed AAC files from the iTunes store. They are over priced and of relatively poor quality - I don't personally care about ALAC or AAC. As far as I am concerned ALAC is completely pointless compared with FLAC. But correct me if I am wrong - what does it do better than the FLAC format?</p>

[new_media]

<i>As far as I am concerned ALAC is completely pointless compared with FLAC. But correct me if I am wrong - what does it do better than the FLAC format?</i><br />

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Plays natively in iTunes. You can fit more ALAC than AIFF on an iPod. That's about it.

[VandyMan]

It is just a file format. No one is forcing you to use it. Save your passion for the music, not the tools. <br />

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>>If ALAC is so important for purchasing music then why doesn't Apple's iTunes store offer an option for purchasing ALAC files?<br />

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Because they don't offer hi-res in any format. That is why I shop at HD Tracks. Besides, it is not a question of importance, it is about convenience. <br />

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BTW, some sites do offer ALAC already. For example, LivePhish.com gives a choice of MP3, ALAC, or FLAC at different resolutions.

[Richard Dale]

<p><b>VandyMan: </b><i>"It is just a file format. No one is forcing you to use it. Save your passion for the music, not the tools."</i></p><br />

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<p>I'm not sure what you mean by this. I am pefectly cabable of having an unbiased discussion of the technical merits of ALAC vs other formats, such as AIFF or FLAC, without any 'passion' getting involved.</p><br />

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<p>Clearly we either need tools for non-technical types to be able to easily convert their downloaded FLAC files to ALAC or AIFF, or we need the sites to simply offer the different formats as downloads, as you say. I'm not sure which option is better as it is mainly about deciding which option is the most convenient and least confusing for non-technical users. I am personally not one of those 'non-technical' users and so I can't really tell all that well.</p> <br />

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<p>Having said that, I think offering bazillions of download formats and resolutions is probably not as good as keeping it simple and standardizing on FLAC, combined with idiot proof software running on people's computers to convert it to whatever format their player software needs.</p>

[Jef Paas]

Wicked Simple with your video tutorial!<br />

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Now if HDtracks would only sell to me up here in Canada i could be having more fun...<br />

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If anybody wants to send me sample Rolling Stones FLAC's i would greatly <br />

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appreciate it with my PayPal FLAC'$<br />

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Thx<br />

<br />

Jef

[vortecjr]

using YouTube was a great idea! <br />

<br />

Jesus R<br />

www.sonore.us

[David W]

This is a really helpful thread and a great YouTube video. I’ve struggled with HDTracks, iTunes, and my iPod Classic for some time and think there is a mismatch in making them all work, or my understanding is off. Here is my situation: I have the iPod 160 Classic, the Shure SE535 IEMs with custom Sensaphonics tips, and the RDA Shadow headphone amp (all of which I love, especially to listen to high quality music on the go). I have made a number of purchases from HDTracks (and would like to do more) but while they play fine directly on my laptop, they will not play on the iPod. I convert all the FLAC files to ALAC using dBpoweramp (using Windows XP) so they all make it in to iTunes with ease. So what is the reason the iPod Classic can’t play HDTracks? Complicating matters is Apple says “no way” and HDTracks says on their FAQ that “most iPods (except the iPod Shuffle) will play HDTracks AIFF files (I tried converting a few songs to AIFF with no success).<br />

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Also (my naïve question), I understand that iTunes syncs with only Apple products. Presuming that Apple products can’t play HDTracks, then what is the point of bringing HDTracks into iTunes unless you drag and drop the files to a non-iPod device? Or is its use limited to home listening via a DAC?<br />

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Thanks for any guidance.<br />

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi David - iPods currently have trouble with content above 24/44.1 or 24/48. If your HDtracks material is 24/88.2 or 24/96 it not going to sync to your iPod Classic.

[Phil C]

As we know, iTunes also plays on Windows PCs and some folks use this combo, including me. Anyone know of a good FLAC to AIFF conversion program like Max (which only runs on Apple), for a PC running Windows 7?<br />

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I crave downloading hi-res music from HDTracks but as we know iTunes won’t play nice with FLAC files. I have tons of ripped music in my iTunes library (many labor hours went into this) and 25% of the songs are in WAV with the rest in Apple Lossless ALAC format (with the .m4a file extension). I used EAC to create the WAV files so I had to edit a lot of the tag info manually.<br />

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Darn you iTunes, I’m committed to ya and I really like your interface and search, but hate it that you won’t do FLAC. I know, I’ll get around you iTunes by buying another good music player like J River Media Center with the intent of putting all the FLAC music I will purchase from HDTracks into it.<br />

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This would mean using two music players on my Windows PC, iTunes and J River. Or else I suppose I could try just using J River by importing my iTunes library of WAV and ALAC files into J River. But I have this unpeaceful, uneasy feeling that some metadata and album artwork will be lost during the import and that is unsatisfactory. This foreboding is not eased by the J River website, which states that it supports .m4a files (which are typically AAC encoded) but doesn’t state explicitly that it supports Apple Lossless ALAC files. Anyone successfully import their ALAC files into J River?<br />

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Back to the two music player solution: No doubt it would be inconvenient having music split between two players. Regardless, it must not be such a good idea as I have not read of an audiophile admitting to it. It seems technically feasible (or is it?) and a solution to file format roadblocks (or is it?) but there must be some gotchas other than making ones computer life more complicated that keeps audiophiles from doing this. This is a desperate idea from a desperate man Anyone know what problems this could cause? Anyone have other solutions? <br />

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____________<br />

<i>PC (Windows7) > iTunes > USB cable > Benchmark DAC1 HDR > Music Reference RM-200 MK II > Sonus Faber Cremona M</i> <br />

[Mozart]

Hi Chris !<br />

<br />

Thank you for your video tutorial!<br />

<br />

What about PDF files on the iPad (as remote controle). Is it possible to watch PDF files on the iTunes remote with the Ipad ?

[ted_b]

use DBPoweramp. Converts everything to everything, and is a state-of-the-art ripper. Period. This format stuff doesn't need to be a debate; convert to whatevr the heck you like.

[6840adross]

Chris, thanks for taking the time to record your "You Tube" video on using MAX. I have messed this up so many time I am surprised that I still have hair!<br />

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Question: Having transitioned from a room-filling A+++ system, I am now a head phones listener, only: with current Mac Book Pro (SSD), Amarra software, 2 SSD 2TB storage drives (one for the music and one for the backups and FLACS), Weiss DAC202, Woo Audio WES and Stax SR 007MK2 (SR 009 on the way), is there a software real time frequency analyzer that would let me see what frequencies are being played back when I play back the Ayre disc "Irrational, But Efficacious" in real time? I would be instructive to see what my 75-year-old ears are, and are not hearing. My 40-year-old brain and body might be jealous! Ha ha ha ha!<br />

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Art<br />

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[gelch]

This is a very helpful video, thanks. I was doing my best to follow it, but when I tried the Max conversion, I got iTunes permission errors on each of the tracks I was trying to convert. Has anyone seen this?

[starbux48]

What's the best file format to use that will let me copy my FLAC files to my iPod in highest quality but still be their best when stored on my Mac's library for Fidelia playback? I know Fidelia supports several formats including ALAC and FLAC, but would like to find a common one if possible to make it simpler once stored to play on either device. I know iTunes doesn't support FLAC, so have been converting everything to ALAC so far.

[dufferdan]

Two questions:<br />

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1. I have a Sqeezebox Touch which will play 24/96 flac directly, and sonds great. However, while the documentation says it will play hi-rez flacs natively, and it plays ALAC (all my music other than what I have downloaded from HD Music in flac form) in 16/44.1, will it play ALAC in 24/96? From the info, I don't get the sense it will play hi-rez ALAC. Anyone have experience? <br />

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2. Why not just use fluke in iTunes to play flac natively? Do you lose 24/96 capability? <br />

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Thanks

[Hifiguy]

Chris,<br />

thanks for this tutorial, it's crystal clear. I followed along & every indication is that every thing is ok, but into the conversion I get this error message : "The variable audio_item is not defined." Any idea what this means & how to solve problem?<br />

<br />

thanks<br />

<br />

Peter

[No32]

thx this is very helpful.<br />

could you also advise how I can convert my 2TB flac into AIFF. I hope there is an automatic way to convert it without the need to select manual sample rate <br />

[goldsdad]

<i>"how I can convert my 2TB flac into AIFF. I hope there is an automatic way to convert it without the need to select manual sample rate"</i><br />

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I guess you mean <i>"without the need to select manual</i> <b>sample-size</b><i>"</i> because Max currently will match the sample rate, but not the sample-size (AKA bit-depth), automatically when converting to AIFF.<br />

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<a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder">XLD</a> will do it, assuming it can read the current format of your files.<br />

[kumakuma]

XLD also seems to do a better job checking the integrity of the data. I've had Max happily convert "broken" FLAC files to AIFF while XLD will let me know there's a problem with the file.<br />

<br />

Kuma

[Phil C]

Hey ted_b,<br />

<br />

Thanks for your response titled "Phil C. and anyone else on a Windows pc, it's REAL simple."<br />

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As you suggested, I used dbPoweramp to convert 24/96 FLAC files to Apple Lossless and imported them into iTunes on Win 7. iTunes reports they are still hi-rez and they play just fine. Now if I can just be sure that iTunes on Win 7 is playing them back in hi-rez I'll be a happy guy.<br />

<br />

Phil C<br />

<br />

<em> iTunes with Win 7 PC > USB cable > Benchmark DAC1 HDR <em>

[starbux48]

I am fuzzy on differences if any between these for input into iTunes. Have been converting my FLACs into ALACs using XLD. Terrific program. To be save rename any cover art jpgs to cover.jpg and it grabs them every time. Used Max a little but love XLD.<br />

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So, should I start converting to AIFF instead of ALAC?

[HiFiInsider]

I've been interested in this but could not find this page. <br />

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Is this a trusted link to download XLD? All I've found so far was some Japanese site that looks strange. <br />

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http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23430/x-lossless-decoder

[kumakuma]

Here's the site that's on the About page of the SW:<br />

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http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html<br />