Many users still can’t find a proper way to split single lossless image files (FLAC, APE, WV) into common tracks files. But, what’s problem? a lossless single-file album image is nice and cool. YES! but some people just want to play a couple track songs on their mobile devices or simply many do not like the appearance of a big lossless image file.
- The following tutorial is only for Windows users.
- Linux users actually can use WINE to run Windows programs.
- For Mac OS X users see this tutorial.
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL CUETOOLS
CUETools is a great tool for convert, split and verify lossless files.
Official website says:
- Convert a single-file album image with CUE sheet to a file-per-track album image.
- Convert a single-file album image with CUE-sheet-per-album to a single-file album image with CUE-sheet-per-track album image (feature request).
- Convert a file-per-track album image with CUE sheet to a single file album image.
- Convert a file-per-track album image without a CUE sheet to a single file album image with simple CUE sheet.
- Convert an album image from one lossless codec to another, preserving CUE sheet structure.
- Verify a (possibly non offset-corrected) album image against AccurateRip database.
- Apply offset correction to a rip made without offset correction.
- Prepare an album image for burning with software, which does not handle drive write offsets, by applying offset.
- Extract an album image directly from a RAR archive without unpacking it, and save it in a different format.
- Fix filenames in a CUE sheet, if the files were renamed or converted to a different format.
- Compress to LossyWav, creating a lossy output + correction file.
- Convert a HDCD image to 24-bit / 20-bit / LossyWav 16-bit audio files (irreversible).
- Convert an album image with minor audio errors to one without errors, using correction files in the CUETools Database.
For now only we will use it for split lossless image files.
- Download the current stable release from the official page.
- This program usually run without problem normally, but if any problem arises don’t forget to check the prerequisites.
- Extract it and place it anywhere you like.
- If you want to run it as a portable application from a USB stick, remove the file called user_profiles_enabled, so that settings will be saved to the same folder instead of user profile on your local computer.
STEP 2: CUETOOLS SETTINGS
- Run CUETools application
- Change Input to Drag ‘n’ drop mode.
- Activate Batch Log then hit Setting button.
- Set up these tabs exactly as shown… and hit OK
Other Tabs not pictured aren’t necessary for now.
- If you decide to update to a new release of this program don’t forget backup your settings-file first.
STEP 3: SPLIT A LOSSLESS IMAGE FILE
- In the main window set up exactly as shown
As you can see in Drag ‘n’ drop Mode files section you will drag and drop the Cue Sheet file, in Template section click down-arrow to select from list. You can also edit the template within the textbox, but I recommend using as shown in picture, in Action section tick Encode (because it will convert to other file), in Mode section tick Tracks (obviously is the reason for this tutorial), in Audio Input section tick Lossless and down-arrow to select a format (I recommend select the same original source format)
- Drag and drop the Cue Sheet file exactly as shown and hit GO
- Hit OK.
- And wait until the process ends.
- As you can see it has created a New folder
Containing the lossless image splitted plus m3u playlist, new Cue Sheet, front cover, same logfile extraction and Accurip file (verification).
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CONVERT FLAC IMAGE/TRACKS FILES TO APPLE LOSSLESS (ALAC)
- If you have a single-file FLAC Album image or FLAC tracks album as shown on pictures and you want
convert to Apple lossless (ALAC), repeat the same steps such as drag and drop the Cue-sheet file, then in Audio Ouput section tick Lossless, then click down-arrow and choose m4a (ALAC), the level slider leave by
default.
- As an optional recommendation, I suggest always keep the original Lossless file as the main backup.