How to Burn FLAC Files to a CD

FLAC files are lossless digital audio files, which means they retain all of the quality of the original CD, or other source. With the proliferation of high-speed internet and high-capacity hard disks, FLAC is becoming one of the more popular audio formats. However, if you want to burn FLAC files to a CD for listening in your car or CD player, you must turn them into WAV files first.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

Converting FLAC Files to WAV Files, Windows and Mac OS X Users

1. Visit the Switch Sound File Converter website (see Resources).

   The website should determine your appropriate version. If it doesn't, scroll down for links to both Windows and Mac OS X versions.

   Download and install the program, following the prompts.

2. Open Switch Sound File Converter.

   You will be converting your FLAC files to WAV format, for burning onto an audio CD.

   If you have a whole folder full of FLACs you want to convert, click the "Add Folder" icon on the menu bar. If you'd rather pick and choose one or more files, click the "Add File(s)" icon.

   Select the folder or file(s), and click "Open" (or equivalent) to add the FLACs to the conversion queue.

3. Towards the bottom of the window, choose the Output Folder where you would like the program to place your converted files.

   Below that, for Output Format, choose WAV (this is very important).

4. Click the "Convert" icon in the lower right-hand corner.

5. The program will convert your FLAC files to WAV files in the folder you selected.

Converting FLAC Files to WAV Files, Linux Users

1. For Ubuntu or other Debian users, run Synaptic Package Manager (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager).

   If not using Ubuntu or another Debian-based Linux distribution, you will need to visit the Sound Converter website (see Resources) and download and install Sound Converter; skip to step 5.

2. Type "Sound Converter" in the Quick Search box, and a list of search results will appear. Sort the list by clicking the "Package" header and find "soundconverter."

   Click the empty checkbox next to "soundconverter" and a dialogue box will appear. Click "Mark for Installation." If asked to mark additional packages for installation, click "Mark."

3. Click the "Apply" icon, and Synaptic Package Manager will install Sound Converter.

   Close the program.

4. Open Sound Converter.

   You will be converting your FLAC files to WAV format, for burning onto an audio CD.

   If you have a whole folder full of FLACs you want to convert, click the "Add Folder" icon on the menu bar. If you'd rather pick and choose one or more files, click the "Add File(s)" icon.

   Select the folder or file(s), and click "Open" (or equivalent) to add the FLACs to the conversion queue.

5. Click "Edit," then click "Preferences."

   Below "Type of Result?", choose the WAV file format (this is very important).

   Click "Close."

6. Click the "Convert" icon near the top.

7. The program will convert your FLAC files to WAV files in the folder you selected.

Creating Your CD, Windows, Mac, and Linux Users

1. Run your CD burning software of choice, such as Nero or Roxio. For Linux users, Brasero Disc Burner is a good option.

2. All software is different, but generally straight forward. You will be given the choice between creating an "Audio CD" or a "Data CD." Make sure you choose "Audio CD."

3. You will be given the opportunity to add your music files. Browse to the folder you outputted your converted FLAC (now WAV) files to.

   Select your WAV files, then click "Add," "Open," or equivalent.

4. You should be able to arrange your files in the order in which you want them to play. Adjust any other optional settings you want to change, such as closing the disc or disc write speed, then click "BURN," or equivalent.

   Your CD of converted FLAC files will be created.

References

• Switch Sound Converter (Windows / Mac Users)
• Sound Converter (Linux Users)

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish