[Mightyburner]

I've given up the battle and will now join the unrelenting wave of Apple users.  In other words, I want an Ipod. 

That said, some 80% of my files were ripped into FLAC files using Monkey Media.   I'm attempting to use the trial version of db poweramp to convert a few files to Apple Lossless as a test.  After successfully downloading the Apple losseless codec (at least I think I did), I converted a few files and directed the software to maintain the tracks in the existing location.

The problem or my question is why do I now have duplicate files?  One in FLAC and one in Apple Lossless?  Is this suppose to happen?  Why would I want duplicate tracks taking up valuable space.  I thought "conversion" meant,,,,,conversion.

Be kind,,,I'm a complete newbie and have trouble enough writing this plea for help!

[mike1964]

Converting the files doesn't delete the originals, and for good reason!  You can always archive your FLACs to DVD-ROMs if you want to have them, or delete the files.  I backup the FLACs just for good measure and keep the Apple Lossless files on the computer.

[Mightyburner]

Converting the files doesn't delete the originals, and for good reason!  You can always archive your FLACs to DVD-ROMs if you want to have them, or delete the files.  I backup the FLACs just for good measure and keep the Apple Lossless files on the computer.

Thanks!  I told you I was a newbie!  So when I scan my Library with itunes, it will only detect the Apple Lossless files?

I currently use Carbonite to backup all of my data but I going to try using an external HD as well.  If the Apple Lossless and FLAC files are essentially the same thing, I think I may just keep Apple files and back them up. Given the size of my collection, this sounds like it will take a good amount of time.

[Nels Ferre]

I keep the FLAC files on a backup hard drive as well. I use the ALAC (compressed) or AIFF (uncompressed) files on a different hard drive for listening or for moving to my iPhone 3G.

[Mightyburner]

Nels,
OK maybe I'm missing something so you guys need to set me on the right path.   

I wasn't planning to use compressed files at all.  I use a Squeezebox Duet (for now) and want to keep the files in as close to audiophile standards as possible.  I figured that by converting them to Apple Lossless I would be able to use an Ipod as well.  Granted being lossless files I wouldn't be able to store as many files on the Ipod as I would if they were compressed ACC files.

It sounds like both you and Mike1964 keep your FLAC files on your backup drives to maintain original copies and keep compressed files on your computer.  Is that correct?  If I were to do that wouldn't I need to keep both sets of files on my computer in separate folders and direct the Squeezebox to one folder (FLAC) and itTunes to another (ACC or Apple Lossless)?

I'm likely confusing myself which isn't hard to do. 

[mike1964]

It sounds like both you and Mike1964 keep your FLAC files on your backup drives to maintain original copies and keep compressed files on your computer.  Is that correct?  If I were to do that wouldn't I need to keep both sets of files on my computer in separate folders and direct the Squeezebox to one folder (FLAC) and itTunes to another (ACC or Apple Lossless)?

That is what I do.  I only listen to Apple Lossless files on my iPod and on my computer-based system in my office.  (In my main system it is CDs and LPs).  Only you can determine whether you can tell the difference in your system between FLACs and Apple Lossless.  FLACs -should- be better, but it depends on your system and your ears.

The iPod nor iTunes can read FLACs, so you have to convert in order to use.  If you want to build a library that you move to your iPod, you'll have to keep the Apple Lossless files otherwise you'll have to convert every time you want to load them on the iPod. 

Mike

[ctviggen]

I don't really see the need for lossless music on the iPod, since the environment (car, work) and the headphones are typically so bad lossy works very well.  However, I also had a 30gb iPod (now stolen), which means I have to use lossy compression.

What program is the best at this type of conversion?   I have FLAC where most of the music is in folders arranged by band, then album, but originally I had everything in one large folder, not arranged by anything.  Does this matter?

[mathgeek97]

I don't really see the need for lossless music on the iPod, since the environment (car, work) and the headphones are typically so bad lossy works very well.  However, I also had a 30gb iPod (now stolen), which means I have to use lossy compression.

Even I can tell the difference between Apple Lossless and lossy most of the time (high, variable bitrate encoding is pretty good though) on my iPod.  And the FutureSonics earphones I use are not audiophile quality by any stretch of the imagination (but so much better than the stock earbuds).

BTW, at home, I stream Apple Lossless to an Apple Airport Express with optical digital out.

[Tyson]

Best conversion program for FLAC to anything else is dbpoweramp, it's not free, but it's worth it because it's easy to use and it just works.

[mike1964]

for a good freeware converter, try:
http://sbooth.org/Max/