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Best Way to Bulk Convert FLAC to MP3 on Mac?

Hi everyone,


I’ve got a large collection of FLAC files that I need to convert to MP3 format for easier use across my devices. I’m working on a Mac and am looking for a reliable and efficient way to batch convert these files without losing too much quality.


I’ve tried a few online flac to mp3 converters, but they don’t seem to handle large batches very well, and I’m concerned about potential quality loss. Has anyone here successfully bulk converted FLAC to MP3 on a Mac? Any tips on settings or preserving audio quality during the conversion process would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance for your advice! Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Aug 15, 2024 2:58 AM

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Posted on Aug 15, 2024 7:57 PM

Audacity is a powerful open-source audio editor that supports batch processing through its chains/macros feature. It’s more complex but offers more control over the conversion process.


To convert FLAC to MP3 on a Mac using Audacity, start by downloading and installing Audacity from its official website. Once installed, open Audacity and go to File > Import > Audio to load your FLAC files into the program. After importing, you can adjust the audio settings if necessary, but for a straightforward conversion, simply proceed to export. Go to File > Export > Export as MP3 to choose the MP3 format. In the export window, you can customize the MP3 settings, such as bitrate and quality, before saving the converted files.


After setting your preferences, click Save to begin the conversion process. Audacity will convert the FLAC files to MP3 and save them to your specified location. This method is particularly useful for those who need more control over the audio conversion settings, as Audacity offers extensive options for adjusting the output quality.

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Aug 15, 2024 7:57 PM in response to gofmiracles

Audacity is a powerful open-source audio editor that supports batch processing through its chains/macros feature. It’s more complex but offers more control over the conversion process.


To convert FLAC to MP3 on a Mac using Audacity, start by downloading and installing Audacity from its official website. Once installed, open Audacity and go to File > Import > Audio to load your FLAC files into the program. After importing, you can adjust the audio settings if necessary, but for a straightforward conversion, simply proceed to export. Go to File > Export > Export as MP3 to choose the MP3 format. In the export window, you can customize the MP3 settings, such as bitrate and quality, before saving the converted files.


After setting your preferences, click Save to begin the conversion process. Audacity will convert the FLAC files to MP3 and save them to your specified location. This method is particularly useful for those who need more control over the audio conversion settings, as Audacity offers extensive options for adjusting the output quality.

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Aug 15, 2024 7:37 PM in response to gofmiracles

For those who prefer using built-in apps, iTunes (on macOS Mojave and earlier) or the Music app (on macOS Catalina and later) can be used for batch conversions with the help of a plugin like All2MP3 or by using the app's built-in converter after importing the FLAC files.


Steps for converting flac to mp3 on a mac:

  1. Convert FLAC to a Compatible Format (like ALAC) using a tool like All2MP3.
  2. Import the converted files (ALAC) into iTunes/Music.
  3. Go to Preferences > Files > Import Settings and set the encoder to MP3.
  4. Select all the imported tracks, right-click, and choose 'Convert to MP3'.
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Aug 15, 2024 7:32 PM in response to gofmiracles

XLD (X Lossless Decoder) is a popular audio converter tool for macOS. It is designed primarily to handle lossless audio formats, such as FLAC, and convert them to various other formats, including MP3, AAC, ALAC, and more. XLD is known for preserving the quality of audio files during conversion.


To convert flac to mp3 on mac, you can try the following command:


xld -c cuesheet -f mp3 [-o outpath] [-t track] 


XLD is a powerful tool for converting audio files on a Mac, especially when working with lossless formats like FLAC. Its ease of use and high-quality output make it a reliable choice for managing your audio library.

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Aug 16, 2024 12:26 AM in response to gofmiracles

Converting FLAC to MP3 on a Mac using iTunes or the Music app can be a bit of a hassle, honestly. Depending on the size of your library, the whole process can take a while. You have to wait for the initial conversion to ALAC, then import those files into the app, change settings, and then convert to MP3. If you’ve got a ton of files, it feels like a marathon.

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Best Way to Bulk Convert FLAC to MP3 on Mac?

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