How to play Studio Master FLAC files in iTunes 

 

Step 1: Dowload and unzip the following shareware program called "Max" for OS X 10

website  http://sbooth.org/max

Step 2: Open "max for mac"

Step 3: Set following preferences - desired output format to MPEG-4 Audio (Apple Lossless). This is the apple equivalent of FLAC. You can also select to export a copy of the encoded files straight into iTunes under max's iTunes preferences.

Step 4: Download Studio Master FLAC files from Linn Records in 24bit 88-96kHz format. Also download album art png file. Leave all files on desktop.

Step 5: Drag all the downloaded files straight into the "files to be converted" panel in Max

Step 6: Select all Musicfiles and go to Menu "CD-Cover". Add the album art with drag and drop to the "CD-Cover"-Window

Step 7: Hit the "Convert" button!

Step 8: Open iTunes...all your files will be seen in your music library! You can check their 24bit hi-res status by selecting "info"

Step 9: Play files!

NB. Audiofiles with more than 24Bit and 48kHz are not supported by the iPod.  If you would like to use these files you must convert them.

 

How to convert Studio Master FLAC files in iTunes for iPod (high quality) and Apple Lossless

After Step 8:

Step 9: Go to iTunes Preferences/General/Import Settings. Set "Import Using" to AIFF Encoder 16Bit/48kHz and then click OK.

Step 10: Select the Musicfiles and go to the Menu "Advanced/Create AIFF Version".

Step 11: Go to iTunes Preferences/General/Import Settings. Set "Import Using" to Apple Lossless Encoder and then click OK.

Step 12: Select the Musicfiles and go to the Menu "Advanced/Create Apple Lossless Version".

Step 13: Now you have the Musicfiles in the best quality (16Bit/48kHz Apple Lossless) for the Apple iPod or other Streaming Musicplayer. You can now delete the 24Bit Apple Lossless and AIFF-files if you like.

 

How to convert Studio Master FLAC files for iPod (AAC-Version)

After Step 8:

Step 9: Go to iTunes Preferences/General/Import Settings. Set "Import Using" to AAC Encoder and select the quality you like in the Settings (for example 256 kbps / vbr), then click OK.

Step 10: Select the Musicfiles and go to the Menu "Advanced/Create AAC Version".

Step 11: Now you have the Musicfiles in compressed quality (16Bit/48kHz AAC) suitable for the Apple iPod or other Streaming Musicplayer. You can now delete the 24Bit Apple Lossless files if you like.

Memo: If you have a problem copying your music to your iPod, please check if the music is 16Bit/48kHz. Look at Menu File/Get Info. If your Musicfile is for example 24Bit/96kHz please convert first to AIFF - see Step 9 in our Guide for Apple Lossless. This will give you an AIFF-version, converted to AAC for your iPod.

 

Please note: Normally you can use Max for converting direct from FLAC to AAC for the iPod, but Max must have a Bug on OS X 10.5 to do this.

Please note: There are two programs (Max and xACT) available. Depending on your OS version and the type of processor (PowerPC or Intel) one of them may work better. The procedure itself remains identical.