How Do You Convert Audio To Lossless?

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Converting an audio file to a different format affects the quality and quantity of the original data. The lossless compression format offers exceptional, high-fidelity audio that surpasses lossy compression codecs. But how do you go about converting audio to lossless?

You can convert audio to lossless compression formats using specialized file converter software and media players like iTunes, Winamp, and VLC. The most common types of lossless codecs are FLAC and Appleโ€™s proprietary ALAC encoder. These lossless encoders produce high-fidelity sound quality.

Converting audio to a lossless codec is generally a straightforward endeavor, but there are specific instances when it might not be possible or worthwhile. The following technical insights and practical guidance intend to assist anyone wondering how to convert audio files to lossless.

How To Convert Audio Files To Lossless

Lossless audio files produce a sound quality comparable to compact discs (CDs) and superior to lossy codecs. Fortunately, converting audio files to a lossless compression format is easy to do successfully.

There are two principal ways to convert audio to lossless:

  • File converter software.
  • Media players.

File converter software programs provide a quick and uncomplicated means to compress audio files into a lossless codec. These programs are available online for free or at a small cost. Media player programs also typically have capabilities that enable users to convert audio files to a lossless format.

There are multiple lossless compression encoders. Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) is probably the most commonly used and widely compatible lossless codec. Another popular encoder is the Lossless Audio Coding (ALAC) by Apple. This proprietary lossless codec is only compatible with Apple devices and media players.

One can convert virtually any audio file format to a lossless codec. It is necessary to emphasize that the benefits of converting to lossless depend on the quality of the source audio data.

An elementary understanding of lossless compression is valuable for determining when and why one might want to convert audio to this codec. Before we examine how to convert audio to lossless, it is worth briefly reviewing this audio data processing technology.

Lossless Audio Compression

Lossless audio compression is a form of encoding that converts (or compresses) sound files into a smaller size without losing data from the original recording.  Unlike lossy formats, lossless codecs retain the full complement of input data.

The result is that lossless algorithms replicate the input data more accurately than lossy encoders and generally produce a superior sound quality.

While the retention of input data enhances the fidelity of lossless files, this benefit comes at the cost of compression. Lossless compression does not reduce the size of the original files as much as lossy encoding.

Most lossless encoders use arithmetic or Huffman algorithms to compress audio data in a two-step process. Firstly, lossless codecs create a statistical model of the source audio data.

Secondly, the encoders use the model to organize the input information into a sequence of bits, with probable (most frequently occurring) data encoded to produce a short output. The result is that the converted file is smaller than the original but contains the same information.

Due to their accurate and efficient audio data compression, lossless files are used widely in sound production and audio archiving.

Which Files Can You Convert To Lossless?

Before proceeding to the practical details of converting audio to lossless, it is worth reviewing which files are convertible to this format.

One can convert almost any uncompressed audio file to lossless (though there might be a barely perceptible decrease in sound quality). For example, it is possible to convert the following uncompressed codecs into lossless:

  • AIFF,
  • AU,
  • WAV.

It is also possible to convert lossy compression formats to lossless, including:

  • MP3,
  • AAC,
  • OGG,
  • Windows Media Audio Lossy (WMA),
  • MPC.

Note that converting these file formats to lossless will not result in an improvement in the sound quality.

The lossy compression process discards a portion of the original data, but lossless encoding does not replace the missing information. The lossless encoder faithfully replicates the limited data inputs from MP3, AAC, or other lossy formats.

It is crucial to emphasize that the quality of the input data determines the outcome of the conversion to a lossless format. Lossless codecs can produce impressive CD-quality sound but only when the original audio is high-quality.

Guide To Converting Audio To Lossless

The task of converting sound files to a lossless format is straightforward. As noted earlier, software tools like media players and specialized file converters make it quick and easy to convert audio to lossless.

Use File Converter Software

The internet is awash with free and paid audio file converter software. These programs convert and compress audio files into a variety of formats.

A few of the most reputable and user-friendly file converters include:

  • FLAC Frontend,
  • Foobar2000,
  • Audacity.

Some of the best audio file converters available for purchase are:

  • dBpoweramp,
  • X Lossless Decoder.

Using file converters to compress files into a lossless codec like FLAC involves the following generic steps:

  • download and install a file converter program,
  • transfer the desired audio file to the converter,
  • select FLAC as the output codec,
  • choose the destination folder,
  • Press the convert button.

The prudent approach is to use converter software with an established reputation for being safe and trustworthy. Note that some free file converters are unsafe to use, as have lack end-to-end encryption and do not provide adequate privacy protections for users.

Media Player Software

Most popular media players also make converting audio files to lossless formats simple.

iTunes

iTunes has a file conversion option that enables users to convert audio to a lossless format. The media player limits this option to Appleโ€™s ALAC codec and AIFF (which is an uncompressed lossless format). iTunes does convert files to the more widely-used FLAC.

Converting audio files to lossless in iTunes is virtually the same whether you are using a Mac or PC.

The first step is to adjust the import settings:

  • on Mac โ€“ open Apple Music and select Preferences in the Music tab,
  • on PC โ€“ open iTunes and select Preferences in the Edit tab,
  • click on the Files tab and choose Import Settings,
  • open the menu beside the Import Using button and select ALAC or AIFF.

Second, convert the source audio files as follows:

  • choose song files to convert,
  • open the File tab and click Convert
  • select Create ALAC Version (or Create ALAC Version).

Winamp

Winamp is a reliable and easy-to-use media player for converting to a FLAC lossless codec. This program runs with Windows. All versions of Winamp from 5.31 onward have the capability to convert to FLAC.

The steps for converting sound files to FLAC in Winamp are as follows:

go to Media Library and right-click on desired tracks,

  • click Send To,
  • open Format Converter option,
  • click Encoding Format and set it to FLAC,
  • click OK.

VLC

VLC is another widely-used media player that enables the conversion of audio to lossless.

Developed by VideoLan, this respected open-source media player software enables users to convert their music files to FLAC.

Here is a summary of how to convert audio to the FLAC lossless codec with VLC:

  • open the Menu tab and click Convert/Save,
  • click Add and choose the files for converting
  • click Open and then Convert/Save,
  • choose FLAC format in the Convert dialog box,
  • select destination file name and location,
  • click Start.

Conclusion

Converting audio to lossless is not unduly complicated or time-consuming. In most cases, you can convert and compress sound files to a lossless format like FLAC, or ALAC using software like file converters or media players.

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