Is there a plugin for importing FLAC files into FCPX?
I don't see why this software couldn't just transcode the file so it can import.
I just want to avoid converting the files myself.
MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)
There are no plugins for FLAC in any professional Apple application — the way I see it, there's no point.
There is a free application called Audacity:
http://audacityteam.org/download/
and here's a video showing how to do batch converting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwe5G5ZFjQ
For FCPX, you'll want to convert to WAV, or AIFF, 48kHz sampling rate, 16 or 24-bit PCM. FCPX can handle 32-bit float if you prefer, but in general, the integer sampling depth is sufficient.
There are no plugins for FLAC in any professional Apple application — the way I see it, there's no point.
There is a free application called Audacity:
http://audacityteam.org/download/
and here's a video showing how to do batch converting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwe5G5ZFjQ
For FCPX, you'll want to convert to WAV, or AIFF, 48kHz sampling rate, 16 or 24-bit PCM. FCPX can handle 32-bit float if you prefer, but in general, the integer sampling depth is sufficient.
It depends on what version of OS X you're using. Quicktime Components to enable you to work natively with FLAC anywher where QuickTime is the underlying technology are indeed possible, but the only two I am aware of, XiphQT (https://www.xiph.org/quicktime/) and Perian (https://www.perian.org/), both stopped being updated a few years ago and to my knowledge don't work with the newest versions of OS X (I'm on Yosemite and this is the first time I haven't been able to get them to work, although I haven't tried in a while.)
Unfortunately, your best bet is probably going to be to transcode the files yourself using a third party app, unless you are working on an older system that those will still work on. I myself do all my transcoding with the free X Lossless Decoder (https://sourceforge.net/projects/xld/) but depending on your skill level, there may or may not be better options out there for you. But it appears there is still the potential but no actual QuickTime Component that can work natively with FLAC that works in the latest versions of OS X.
Sorry, further update:
Prior to Quicktime X, Quicktime Components to enable you to work natively with FLAC anywhere where QuickTime is the underlying technology were indeed possible, but as explained on the Xiph page, QuickTime X did away with this extensibility framework altogether. I believe this change occurred in OS X 10.9. There is now no API for extending QuickTime with custom components for file types other than those included natively by Apple.
Ok... if you can find someone in the open source community to create a Quicktime Component to decode and play FLAC, I'm fairly sure FCPX will be able to use FLAC files directly. If Quicktime can play it, QT can convert it and FCPX an use it directly (usually).
I looked for one and this was about as close as I came: http://www.machinecodex.com/support/?q=flac_components That might work, but the date was from 2009, it probably needs updating or at least testing in the latest OS. Contact those people and get more info.
More and more musicians are making FLAC files available of their music. Also I am downloading sound effects, ambiance tracks etc from Freesound.org. About 1/3 of the files were only available in FLAC.
It would save me a step in production processes where I am already switching to many other apps to complete other tasks.
If FCPX is able to transcode video files from various file types I don't see how difficult it would be for them to include the ability to do the same with a wider range of audio file types.
Or allow FLAC files to be imported using a plugin.
The first time I imported a certain SONY file type I had to add something to FCPX.
Theoretically is it possible for someone to make a plugin that converts FLAC to Quicktime audio during the import process?
Would it add a lot of bulk to the FCPX package?
Thanks for the tip on Audacity. I've been using it for 7 years now and it is an amazingly powerful tool for free.
WWhy should it? Not like there's a lot of FLAC audio files being used in video.
Plugin for importing FLAC
