[Nick B]

My wife ordered an Ipad with 64 G memory for me. I don't have it yet. I have 400 cd's on flac on my pc and I'd like to change it (on my iPad only) to mp3 or mp4 so that I can have the convenience of listening to it on that device. Can I somehow do a conversion on my pc afrom flac to mp 3 and then transfer it to my new iPad? I use Media Monkey for listening on my pc. I am also unable to find out how much space I'd be saving going from flac to maybe an mp3 format. Any info would be greatly appreciated
Nick

[srb]

FLAC versions of CD Redbook quality 16/44.1 files have an average bitrate of about  ~ 700kbps - 800kbps compared to the uncompressed WAV or AIFF bitrate of 1411kbps.  So between uncompressed files and lossless compressed FLAC files you are using ~ 50% - 60% of the space.

If you create MP3 versions of your FLAC files, the size will depend on the encoding bitrate you choose when converting which can be 128kbps, 160kbps, 192kbps, 256kbps or 320kbps.

So for example if you convert your FLAC files to 256kbps MP3, (approximately equivalent to current iTunes songs) you will be using around 1/3 of your present FLAC library space.

You can use MediaMonkey to convert and make MP3 copies of the files in a different library folder location.  Current versions of Media Monkey can sync with an iPad, iPod or iPhone.

You would need the paid Gold version to have the ability to manage multiple libraries in MediaMonkey; however alternatively you could just import the MP3s into free iTunes and sync that library with your iPad.

Steve

[Nick B]

OK Steve, well I understand this a bit better, so to speak, especially the part about the bitrate.  My current setup is 400 flac cd's on a pc using a modded SB 2 to stream to my living room setup. I also play those same flac files on my pc using Media Monkey Gold.  I now undersstand that Media Monkey Gold can manage multiple libraries. But wouldn't that mean keeping the multiple libraries , in different folders, all on the same pc with that has the flac files? If I were to convert to mp 3, how would I get the mp 3 files to my iPad? via Dropbox? Or would iPad somehow play the mp 3files that are stored on the pc? If so, what iPad app would be the player of those mp3? Also, not really sure what syncing means in this instance.
Nick

[srb]

The iPad is synced to the files residing on the PC via the iPad USB cable.  Syncing means the files on the PC are copied into the flash memory of the iPad.

When you add files (or modify) them on the PC, only the new files or the modified files are copied in the next sync.  iTunes also supports wireless syncing over WiFi, but I'm not sure if MediaMonkey does.

Steve

[srb]

Syncing is the term used instead of copying, because the data can be replicated in both directions.

If you sync Contacts from a compatible contact manger such as Outlook or Windows Mail, when you modify or add a contact on the iPad, it is replicated on the PC and vice versa.

If you update apps on the iPad, copies of the apps are also updated on the PC.  If you update the apps (in iTunes) on the PC, the apps on the iPad are updated during the sync.

Since iTunes keeps backups of the iOS software and iPad configuration (and can restore the iPad if corrupted), it probably makes the most sense to use iTunes to host the MP3 music library since you will probably be using it for the above mentioned tasks anyway.

Steve

[Nick B]

OK, it's getter clearer. Seems best bet is to use iTunes for the mp 3's. One thing that still confuses me, I thought iPads didn't have usb capability.

[srb]

The iPad sync/charging cable has a Lightning connector on the iPad end and a USB connector on the computer end.

Steve

[Nick B]

Got it. Thanks for all your help
Nick

[bladesmith]

Make a file/folder on your desktop,  copy your flac to it. Then drop that folder into your converter. Change them to mp3 or mp4, whichever you wish. Works great.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/music-converter-pro/id468990782?mt=12

[Nick B]

Thanks, bladesmith