Audio format conversion questions

[Templejazz]

Greetings all!

I have several traded albums on my computer that I'd like to put on my ipod nano. The issue is that they are in audio formats I previously never heard of, FLAC and OGG. FLAC is not compatible with itunes therefore not compatible w/ ipod through itunes. OGG can be imported and played in itunes with a small Quicktime plug-in but is still not compatible with the ipod.

My questions are, what are BEST hassle-free options for converting them and to what format should I convert them. I know that I can use Foobar or Winamp for conversion. Although it doesn't have the easiest to use interface, I downloaded Foobar and it gets the job done.

For OGG do I.......

-import the OGG into itunes and have itunes convert it to AAC?

-convert it to something else through Foobar and then import it.

if I do the latter, what should I convert it to? I could do mp3-or mp4 but Foobar program recommended against that cuz it's going from one lossy format to a MORE lossy format....if this a no no then I don't want to do that. How about wav? or AIFF(whatever that is) if I convert to WAV I could burn them to CDR and then import into itunes....is that the way to go?

For FLAC,...hmmm...yeah I guess the same question...what to convert them to and whether to import directly or burn to disc first and then rip into itunes that way.

What should I definitely NOT do in regards to sacrificing sound quality?

Thanks in advance for any hints and advice

Bill

[Shawn]

The easiest method would be to use Foobar. Load the FLAC or OGG files into the playlist and then convert them to wav (then you have un-compressed lossless files). Once in .wav you can convert them into whatever lossy format you choose (via foobar, iTunes or whatever) or burn them to disc.

[rockefeller center]

Burning files and ripping them is silly, don't do that.

Losless formats: FLAC, WAV, AIFF

In case you really don't want to convert from a lossy format to another lossy format you have to convert to AIFF. I guess it's best you try and convert to mp3 (> 128 kbps) and see if the sound quality does meet your standards. I'm using GNU/Linux so I can't name any converters for your OS (Windows?). Maybe you do a google search with this string: audio converter site:sourceforge.net

If I owned an Apple player I'd install a different operating system on it, namely http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockbox - can play FLAC, OGG, WAV, etc.

Edited November 7, 2008 by rockefeller center

[Guest Bill Barton]

dBpoweramp is excellent, hassle-free conversion software. It has a batch-convert function that works nicely (and quickly). It used to be freeware. Now it's $24 after a free trial. I have a previous version. If you toggle the "previous versions" button on download.com you might come up with one that meets your needs.

I don't have an iPod so can't address any of your other questions. But personally I don't hear a huge difference between MP3s at 128kbps and those at 320kbps. I do hear a somewhat significant but in the end negligible difference between FLAC and MP3 in general. If you have the space to store 'em (they're huge) and a way to play 'em (as rockefeller center linked to above) by all means keep the files as FLAC or OGG.

Edited November 7, 2008 by Bill Barton

[Templejazz]

  Bill Barton said:

dBpoweramp is excellent, hassle-free conversion software. It has a batch-convert function that works nicely (and quickly). It used to be freeware. Now it's $24 after a free trial. I have a previous version. If you toggle the "previous versions" button on download.com you might come up with one that meets your needs............

........If you have the space to store 'em (they're huge) and a way to play 'em (as rockefeller center linked to above) by all means keep the files as FLAC or OGG.

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations. dBpoweamp Converter seems like a nifty piece of software. I checked the versions and looks like version 10 is totally freeware, but alas, previous versions aren't available through Download.com itself...I'll look around a bit and see if a legit copy of this version is offered elsewhere. It the meantime I'll reluctantly stick with the Foobar.....it works but damn the interface....

Heh, after filling my parents PC with 8 gigs of music and more downloads to come, my dad asked me what happens to them after I put them on my iPod...."Umm, the files stay on the computer" Response: "Why, they're on the iPod...so they're taking up space on the computer" My response: "Yes dad" ....Point of my rambling is I went out and bought a 250 gig Toshiba external HD....so I DO have space to work with for the uncompressed formats......Rockbox might be the way to go if I want to keep them....for now though until I get my own computer I want to refrain from putting more programs on this one.

What I will do is try the methods described by Rockefeller and Shawn and see what works best to my ears. Any other opinions are welcome too.

Thank you folks!

Bill

[rockefeller center]

  Templejazz said:

Rockbox might be the way to go if I want to keep them....for now though until I get my own computer I want to refrain from putting more programs on this one.

Not sure if you misunderstood me; Rockbox is an operating system for audio players (see Wikipedia link for supported players).

[Templejazz]

  rockefeller center said:

  Templejazz said:

Rockbox might be the way to go if I want to keep them....for now though until I get my own computer I want to refrain from putting more programs on this one.

Not sure if you misunderstood me; Rockbox is an operating system for audio players (see Wikipedia link for supported players).

I gotcha. However, is it like iTunes, where the software needs to be installed on the computer, then the iPod, but serves a purpose by staying on the computer it was initially loaded from? Does that make sense?...cuz I think I just confused myself ....of course I could probably read a FAQ page and check it out.

Once again thanks for the input!

Bill

[rockefeller center]

  Templejazz said:

I gotcha. However, is it like iTunes, where the software needs to be installed on the computer, then the iPod, but serves a purpose by staying on the computer it was initially loaded from?

It would not make sense to implement those restrictions so I reckon you could get rid of iTunes.