The FLAC file format associated with the .flac filename extension refers to the FLAC audio encoding algorithm. FLAC is the acronym for Free Lossless Audio Codec. The algorithm is from the lossless audio compression family of formats for digital audio compression. It was developed by the Xiph.Org foundation, a non-profit organization that produces open and free to use multimedia formats, and had its initial release in 2001. Though there isn't widespread compatibility for the format as compared to similar formats such as MP3, the FLAC format enjoys some compatibility and support with in car and home stereo manufacturers as well audio playback software and portable audio devices.
First released in 1995 and developed by the Fraunhofer Society, the mp3 audio format is arguably one of the most recognizable audio file format that ever existed. This digital audio encoding format hails from the lossy data compression algorithm family. The format enjoys widespread support and compatibility with most handheld music players, smartphones, computers, and in car stereos most of which have native support for the format. It is also a popular format used for distribution of audio files over computer networks such as the internet. Free mp3 encoders such as LAME and audacity give authors the tools necessary to create .mp3 files.
FreeFileConvert uses tuned encoding for FLAC to MP3 conversions, preserving clarity while trimming file size. Finished audio streams instantly across phones, tablets, desktops, and modern browsers without extra tweaks.
Upload FLAC files from desktop, tablet, or cloud storage, queue multiple jobs, and let the converter finish autonomously. Return whenever convenient to download synchronized MP3 results on any device you rely on.
Process up to 5 files sized 1000 MB per batch without splitting queues manually. Mixed-format uploads convert together, producing consistent MP3 audio with dependable progress tracking.
The FLAC compression algorithm has a claimed compression effectiveness of between 50 and 60%, and is able decompress audio streams to a bit for bit identical facsimile of the original. The FLAC format supports metadata tagging including other features such as seeking, album or cover art. Decoding information is stored in each FLAC frame, this makes the format particularly suited to streaming over computer networks.
The MP3 format compression algorithm works through perceptual coding. A technique in which audio artifacts outside the auditory range of the average human, are reduced or 'cancelled out'. The result is a near perfect replication of the original audio sample at a compression ratio of 11 to 1 at 128 kilobits per second. Audio quality can be controlled by such factors as the bit rate, sample rate, among other features. But bits rates being the main determinant of audio quality can be adjusted between the typical range from 128 kb/s to as high as 320kb/s.
Upload your audio file in the FLAC format from your device, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Select MP3 as the output format and click Convert. Adjust optional settings if needed.
Download the converted audio file. Each file stays available for up to 5 downloads.