How to split & convert single-file FLAC Album into tracks (MAC OS X)

Split a single-file lossless album image such as FLAC, APE, WV still a headache and for Mac OS X user is no exception.

  • The following tutorial is only for Mac OS X users.
  • For Windows users see this tutorial.

 
STEP 1: DONWLOAD AND INSTALL XLD

  • X Lossless Decoder (XLD) is a awesome tool for Mac OS X that is able to decode, convert and ripp audio files. It works on Mac OS X 10.4 and later.
  • Download the current stable release from the official page.
  • Install…

 
STEP 2: XLD SETTINGS

  1. Run the application, then go to main tabs and hit XLD tab and select Preferences…

    2.  

  2. In Preferences window hit General tab and choose FLAC in Output Format, then hit Option button and setup as shown.

    3.  

  3. In File Naming tab setup as shown.

    4.  

  4. In Batch tab setup as shown.

    5.  

  5. In Metadata tab setup as shown.

    6.  

  6. Other Tabs not pictured aren’t necessary for now.

    7.  

  7. Now in main XLD tabs select Profile tab and save your settings as Convert to FLAC.

    8.  

  8. Now seize the moment to setup for Apple lossless (ALAC), hit a General tab and choose Apple Lossless in
    Output Format, then hit Option button and setup as shown.

    9.  

  9. Repeat 3, 4, 5, 6 points to setup other tabs.

    10.  

  10. Now in main XLD tabs select Profile tab and save your settings as Convert to Apple Lossless (ALAC).

 
 
STEP 3: SPLIT & CONVERT

  1. In main XLD tabs select Profile tab and choose Convert to FLAC, then go to File tab and select Open…

    2.  

  2. In the next window search and select the Cue sheet file from your single-file FLAC album folder, then hit Open button.

    3.  

  3. In the next window choose the single-file FLAC album image to split, then hit Open button.

    4.  

  4. In the next window leave as shown on picture, then hit Transcode.

    5.  

  5. Wait the progress…

    6.  

  6. As you can see it has created a New folder.

    7.  

  7. Containing the single-file FLAC album image splitted into Flac tracks.

    8.  

  8. Now if you want to split & convert to Apple lossless (ALAC), go to main XLD tabs and select Profile tab and choose Convert to Apple Lossless (ALAC), then go to File tab and select to Open…

    9.  

  9. Then repeat 2, 3, 4, 5 points.

    10.  

  10. You’ll get to split and convert single-file FLAC Album image into Apple Lossless tracks.

 
 

    CONVERT FLAC TRACKS FILES TO APPLE LOSSLESS (ALAC)

  • If you already have a FLAC tracks album as shown.

  • And you want convert to Apple lossless.
  • Go to XLD tabs -> Profile -> Convert Apple Lossless (ALAC)
  • Then Go to XLD tabs -> File -> Open…
  • In the next window select your FLAC tracks to convert and hit Open button.

  • Wait the progress…
  • And as you can see it has created a New folder containing the Apple Lossless tracks.

  • As an optional recommendation, I suggest always keep the original Lossless file as the main backup.