The relatively recently introduced FLAC audio format has become incredibly popular among users and especially true music lovers, as it offers much higher sound quality than all others by recording source audio material without compression and without loss of quality. It’s not for nothing that it is sometimes referred to as lossless. Despite all its advantages, which will be discussed a little later, there are several problems, in particular related to the fact that not all household players are capable of playing it. This is why we have to convert the FLAC format to Audio CD format. In turn, the CDA standard (audio track format) is recognized by absolutely everyone, even hopelessly outdated players. We'll talk about how to perform simple write operations next. And you can use several basic options for this. But first, let's look at what this sound format is and why it is preferred.
FLAC format: what is it and why is it better to use?
The popularity of this format is primarily due, as mentioned above, to the high sound quality. Even compared to the still popular MP3, which is essentially compression of files that reduces the audio characteristics, FLAC offers audio with bitrates of 1400 kbps and higher. For comparison: the format of a regular audio disc has a bitrate of the same order, and MP3 has only 320 kbits at maximum. Thus, recording FLAC to Audio CD is nothing more than a simple change of format without changing the sound parameters, but the recording methods currently used make it possible to abandon bulky players. What can I say? Even mobile devices support FLAC.
No. 7. VSDC Free Audio Converter
Feature-rich and easy-to-use free audio converter. Its main purpose is to edit and translate tracks from one extension to another. All popular audio formats are supported: MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG. Additionally, you can adjust the frequency, bitrate, edit tags and number of channels. Since only efficient audio processing algorithms are used during conversion, the quality of conversion depends only on the selected saving profile.
Pros of VSDC Free Audio Converter:
- The software is absolutely free
- Advanced export settings
- High quality conversion
- Friendly interface
- Quickly format music
Disadvantages of the converter:
- Offers paid technical support: starting at $10
VSDC program interface
Which drive is better to choose?
Sometimes you have to select the appropriate blanks for recording. Here you should proceed from the fact that FLAC format files can be quite impressive in size, so you need to choose a disk of the appropriate size. On the other hand, in their original form, files of this format are integral and inseparable (additional CUE format objects are responsible for the order of individual tracks and tracks). Thus, when talking about how to burn FLAC to Audio CD, you need to take into account the type of disc so as not to needlessly split files into parts.
Since you can record even a standard DVD disc in the format of a regular audio disc without any problems, you can use double-layer discs for large files. Double-sided ones are not suitable, since splitting the file into parts without first changing the format will not work.
No. 6. Xilisoft Audio Converter
Xilisoft Audio Converter is a powerful all-in-one music converter designed for audio conversion and extraction, ripping and CD creation. It has a clear interface that allows both beginners and experienced users to create well-crafted audio files. One of the advantages of Xilisoft Audio Converter is its ability to add and customize audio effects: fade in, fade out, volume normalization, echo and speed.
Advantages of the audio editor:
- Multilingual simple interface
- Cutting files by size or duration
- Add and customize many sound effects
Minuses:
- The Pro version is expensive: $29.95
- Conversions take a long time
Xilisoft Audio Converter program interface
How to burn FLAC to Audio CD: the simplest method
As is probably already clear, the simplest way to record is by directly copying files to an empty disk.
In this case, both the FLAC audio file and the accompanying CUE component must be copied, without which the distribution of tracks, if a quick transition from one track to another is required, will become impossible (in this case, you will have to fast forward or rewind, which looks extremely inconvenient).
No. 3. Switch Audio File
Switch Audio File Software is an audio file converter released by NCH Software. It is available for Windows, Mac and Android operating systems. Switch is still considered one of the most stable and easy to use multi-format audio file converters. In addition to conversion, you can: extract audio recordings from DVDs and videos, as well as use ready-made presets.
Advantages of the software:
- Supports all popular audio formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG
- Quickly converts audio files
- Supports batch conversion
- Automatically normalizes sound
The disadvantages are:
- Outdated interface in English
- Price. $16.97 for home version, and $19.99 for commercial version
Switch Audio File program interface
How to burn an Audio CD from FLAC format using disc burning programs?
It is believed that the best recording option is to use specialized programs for recording (burning) discs, in which you can set different output formats. Today you can find a lot of such applications, but the most popular are software packages like Nero Burning ROM (Nero Express), CDburner XP and the like.
Any such program for burning FLAC to Audio CD uses the same principles, and the actions performed by the user are practically no different.
After launching the application and inserting a blank disc into the drive, you must select your preferred destination format in the music section (in our case, it is Audio CD).
After this, you need to add files using the appropriate button and indicating their location on your hard drive or removable media. Please note that you do not need to add the accompanying file with the list of tracks yourself, since it will be pulled up automatically. From there, little remains to be done. You will need to specify the project name, select your preferred recording speed and activate burning.
No. 4. Freemake Audio Converter
A free music converter trusted by 63 million people. It can convert most audio formats and extract melody from videos. Freemake Audio Converter is an easy-to-use tool that works smoothly. With its help, you can process MP3, WMA, WAV, M4A, AAC, FLAC and prepare an audio file for playback on various devices.
The advantages of the music converter are:
- Intuitive interface in Russian
- Batch conversion support
- Ability to edit bitrate, channels, sample rate
- Integration with built-in CD, Blu-Ray and burner
Flaws:
- Limit of seven output formats
- Files are slowly converted and compressed
Freemake Audio Converter Interface
What should you consider when recording?
How to burn FLAC to Audio CD, we figured it out a little. Now let's dwell a little on some of the nuances that should be taken into account before starting burning, and which many users often simply do not pay attention to. First of all, this concerns the choice of recording speed. From the list of available options, it is better to choose the smallest one. If the drive and disk support burning at 2x speed, this is the best option. If there is no such support, choose the minimum that is available (usually 4x). By setting this parameter, you can avoid errors during the recording process and reduced sound quality.
Another point is related to the activation of the data verification mode upon completion of burning. Do not hesitate to use these two actions, although the total time spent on all operations may increase significantly.
No. 8. MediaHuman Audio Converter
MediaHuman Audio Converter is a reliable converter of audio formats into 30 different extensions. It is also suitable for cutting lossless audio files and extracting melody from videos. Its simple and intuitive interface allows you to easily and effectively use the functions regardless of your skills.
Pros of the application:
- You can download the audio converter absolutely free
- Convenient Russian-language interface
- Splitting tracks and extracting audio from videos
The disadvantage is:
- Inability to burn and copy CDs
MediaHuman Audio Converter program interface
Issues of preliminary conversion of source material
Now a few words about how to make an Audio CD from FLAC if the accompanying track breakdown file does not fit (in this case, the project will be recorded as a single file converted from FLAC to CDA).
In such a situation, the easiest way is to use preliminary conversion, but you need to use only those programs that have the ability to convert the source format to another with division into audio tracks (for example, Switch Sound Converter). Once the conversion is complete, recording to the “blank” can be done using the methods described above.
Note: when choosing a converter, pay special attention to the parameters for converting one format to another, so as not to obtain a significant reduction in the quality of the original audio material at the output. Even some software players can be used as both a conversion tool and a recording tool. In this regard, the VLC player looks very attractive.
No. 2. Any Audio Converter
The best FLAC to MP3 converter and other audio formats: WAV, WMA, OGG, etc. In addition to converting music, the software allows you to extract audio from a CD or video. Users can also download songs from YouTube, FaceBook, Spotify, iTunes.
Any Audio Converter has the following advantages:
- Ability to make changes to ID3 tag data
- Cutting audio using the built-in editor
- Setting bitrate and sample rate
- Ready-made export profiles
- Simple interface with minimalistic design
Of the minuses: during the installation process and in the program itself, there are advertisements, which can only be removed when purchasing the Pro version, which costs approximately 1,500 rubles.
Any Audio Converter program interface
Using audio editors
Finally, let's look at how to convert FLAC to Audio CD using audio editors (provided, of course, that they support processing this format and you have the necessary skills to work with such software). One of the simplest is the Cool Edit Pro program, now presented as an updated Adobe Audition software product.
In the application, you just need to open the file and immediately specify the audio conversion characteristics. Tracks can then be cut from the original file and saved as separate objects. You can do it even simpler by burning the project directly to disk (if the program you are using provides such a function) and selecting the desired final format.
Note: not all applications of this type support the maximum bitrate for the format, so choose the highest one with an audio depth of 32 bits and save intermediate objects in WAV format only, if necessary. In some ways, this is reminiscent of conventional conversion and subsequent recording, but if desired, you can apply many additional effects to the source tracks or level them all by volume if the project is created from several files with different sound parameters.
In addition to this program, you can use many other professional editors like Sony SoundForge, ACID Pro, etc.
No. 1. AudioMASTER
A program for converting audio and editing tracks. It will allow you not only to convert a file to another format, but also to edit a musical composition, apply effects, adjust tone and frequency, connect several audio tracks and record voiceovers. The application works with MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, FLAC, M4R, etc.
Advantages of AudioMASTER software:
- Ability to record audio from a microphone
- Saving music from a CD and its subsequent conversion
- Extracting a song from a video
- Trimming unnecessary fragments of audio recording and combining several tracks into one
- A collection of effects that will allow you to level the volume, change the timbre of your voice, add echo, remove noise, create an atmosphere
- Convenient interface in Russian and ease of use
- Possibility to download music converter for free
Disadvantages include a short trial period
Interface of the AudioMASTER program
No. 9. fre:ac. Free Audio Converter
A completely free and open source audio converter and CD extractor. It runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and FreeBSD. fre:ac supports various popular audio formats and encoders.
With it you can:
- Easily convert your CDs to MP3 or WMA files
- Convert files that cannot be played on other devices
Of the minuses: outdated design, as well as the lack of an internal editor.
fre: ac program interface. Free Audio Converter
