FLAC (file format)
FLAC, an acronym for Free Lossless Audio Codec, is a widely recognized audio format. It's renowned for its ability to deliver high-quality sound while maintaining a relatively small file size.
What is FLAC?
FLAC is an audio coding format for lossless compression of digital audio. It's an open-source format and can be used without any licensing fees. The term 'lossless' refers to the fact that the audio quality isn’t degraded during the compression process.
Unlike MP3 and other lossy formats, FLAC retains the exact original audio data. This means that when you play a FLAC file, you're hearing the audio in its purest form, just as it was recorded.
Benefits of using FLAC
The main benefits of FLAC are its superior audio quality and efficient file storage.
Superior audio quality
Since it's a lossless format, FLAC preserves the exact quality of the original audio file. This makes it an ideal choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who value high-quality sound.
FLAC files can support up to 8 channels of audio at greater bit rates and sample rates than MP3. This results in a more detailed and dynamic sound, providing a more immersive listening experience.
Efficient storage
Despite offering high-quality audio, FLAC files are significantly smaller than raw audio formats like WAV. FLAC achieves this by compressively storing audio, reducing file sizes by about 50-60% without losing any audio information.
This makes FLAC a practical choice for storing large music libraries, as it allows for more efficient use of storage space without compromising on sound quality.
FLAC vs other audio formats
FLAC can be a good alternative to MP3 or WAV file containers, but it depends on your needs.
FLAC vs MP3
MP3 is arguably the most commonly used audio format. However, it's a lossy format, meaning it discards some audio information during compression. This often results in a noticeable loss of quality, especially when compared to FLAC.
While MP3 files are smaller than FLAC files, the significant difference in audio quality makes FLAC a preferred choice for those who prioritize sound quality over file size.
FLAC vs WAV
WAV is a raw audio format that offers excellent sound quality. However, WAV files are significantly larger than FLAC files. This makes FLAC a more efficient choice for storing high-quality audio, especially for large music libraries.
Moreover, unlike WAV, FLAC supports metadata tagging. This allows users to include information such as the artist name, album title and track number within the audio file itself.
How to play FLAC files
Most modern media players support FLAC playback. This includes software like VLC Media Player, Foobar2000 and Winamp. Additionally, many portable music players and hi-fi components also support FLAC.
However, it's worth noting that some popular platforms, such as iTunes and iOS devices, do not natively support FLAC. In such cases, users may need to convert FLAC files to a supported format like ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec).
How to Convert FLAC files
If you’re looking to convert your FLAC files to a more common format, Restream’s audio converter is the go-to solution. It’s a free online tool that allows you to easily convert your audio files to MP3 or WAV format. Simply upload a FLAC file you want to convert, select either MP3 or WAV for the output format, and download your converted file after the process is finished.