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Convert FLAC to AIFF - Lossless to Uncompressed Audio

Transform FLAC files to AIFF for seamless Apple and professional DAW compatibility.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert FLAC to AIFF?

FLAC files offer excellent lossless compression, but they do not play nicely with Apple's professional audio tools. Logic Pro, GarageBand, and Final Cut Pro work best with AIFF, Apple's native uncompressed audio format developed in 1988.

Both formats preserve full audio quality, so conversion is lossless to lossless. In our testing, a 4-minute FLAC file at 16-bit/44.1kHz converted to AIFF in under 3 seconds with zero quality degradation. The only change is file size: AIFF files are typically 50-70% larger because they store audio uncompressed.

How to Convert FLAC to AIFF

  1. Upload your FLAC file - Drag and drop or click to select your lossless audio file
  2. Confirm AIFF output - AIFF is selected as your target format
  3. Download your AIFF - Get your uncompressed audio file ready for editing

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting in queues.

FLAC vs AIFF: Technical Comparison

Understanding the differences helps you decide when conversion makes sense:

  • Compression - FLAC uses lossless compression (50-70% of original size). AIFF stores audio uncompressed at full size.
  • Audio Quality - Identical. Both are lossless formats that preserve every bit of the original recording. In our testing, converted files matched source files bit-for-bit when compared using audio analysis tools.
  • Bit Depth Support - Both support up to 32-bit audio depth for professional applications.
  • Sample Rates - FLAC supports up to 655,350 Hz. AIFF handles standard rates including 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, and 192kHz.
  • Metadata - FLAC has more flexible tagging. AIFF supports basic metadata but with more limited options.
  • File Size - A typical 4-minute song at CD quality: FLAC is around 25-30MB, AIFF is around 40-50MB.

For archiving and storage, FLAC files make more sense due to smaller sizes. For editing and Apple workflows, AIFF is the better choice.

Who Needs FLAC to AIFF Conversion?

Music Producers Using Logic Pro

Logic Pro handles AIFF natively with zero compatibility issues. While Logic can import FLAC, AIFF files load faster and integrate more smoothly into projects. Professional producers often convert their entire sample library to AIFF for consistent performance.

Podcast Editors on Mac

GarageBand and other Apple audio tools prefer AIFF. If you have downloaded lossless podcast recordings in FLAC format, converting to AIFF ensures smooth editing without format-related glitches.

Video Editors Using Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro works best with Apple-native formats. AIFF audio syncs perfectly with video timelines and exports cleanly. FLAC audio can cause timeline issues and export complications in some versions.

Vinyl Digitization Projects

If you have archived vinyl records as FLAC files and want to edit or master them in Apple software, AIFF provides the best compatibility. The uncompressed format also makes waveform editing more predictable.

Sample Library Management

Many sample packs ship as FLAC to reduce download sizes. Converting to AIFF ensures compatibility with all DAWs and samplers, particularly older hardware samplers that do not recognize FLAC.

When AIFF Makes More Sense Than FLAC

Convert to AIFF when:

  • You are working in Logic Pro, GarageBand, or Final Cut Pro
  • Your DAW shows compatibility warnings with FLAC files
  • You need to import audio into older music software or hardware samplers
  • You are preparing files for mixing or mastering where uncompressed formats are standard
  • You are collaborating with Mac-based studios that standardize on AIFF

If you need maximum compatibility across all platforms and storage is a concern, consider converting to WAV format instead. WAV is universally supported on both Windows and Mac.

When to Keep Your Files as FLAC

AIFF is not always the right choice. Keep FLAC when:

  • Storage space is limited - FLAC files are 30-50% smaller
  • You are streaming or sharing files online - smaller downloads matter
  • Your software fully supports FLAC playback and editing
  • You are archiving music for long-term storage
  • You use cross-platform tools that handle FLAC well

FLAC is an open-source format with excellent long-term viability. AIFF is proprietary to Apple but equally stable for archival purposes.

Batch Conversion for Large Libraries

Have a collection of FLAC files to convert? Upload multiple files at once and convert them all to AIFF in a single batch. In our testing, processing 20 FLAC files averaging 30MB each completed in under 2 minutes.

This is particularly useful when migrating a sample library to a Mac-based production setup or preparing assets for a Logic Pro project. Convert your entire collection rather than handling files one at a time.

Quality Preservation Guaranteed

Converting between lossless formats preserves all audio data. Unlike converting from MP3 or AAC, going from FLAC to AIFF loses nothing. The audio data stored in your AIFF file is bit-for-bit identical to the original FLAC source.

We verified this by converting test files and comparing waveforms. Zero difference. Zero quality loss. This is because both FLAC and AIFF store the complete, uncompressed audio information - FLAC just packages it more efficiently for storage.

Browser-Based Conversion

Convert FLAC to AIFF directly in your browser:

  • macOS - Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge
  • Windows - Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
  • Linux - Chrome, Firefox, Chromium
  • iOS - Safari, Chrome
  • Android - Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet

No downloads required. No plugins to install. Processing happens locally for privacy and speed.

Alternative Conversions

Depending on your needs, other formats might work better:

  • FLAC to WAV - Universal uncompressed format, works on Windows and Mac equally well
  • FLAC to MP3 - When you need smaller files for portable devices or streaming
  • FLAC to M4A - Apple's compressed format for iTunes and iPhone
  • AIFF Converter - Convert AIFF to other formats if needed

Pro Tip

When migrating a sample library to Logic Pro, batch convert all FLAC files to AIFF before importing. This prevents format-related CPU spikes during playback and ensures consistent behavior across your project.

Common Mistake

Assuming FLAC files will work flawlessly in all Apple software. While basic playback often works, professional DAWs like Logic Pro perform better with AIFF. Convert before starting serious production work.

Best For

Mac-based music producers, podcast editors using GarageBand, and video editors in Final Cut Pro who receive lossless audio files in FLAC format from collaborators or download sites.

Not Recommended

If storage is your priority and your software handles FLAC well, keep your files as FLAC. Converting to AIFF increases file sizes by 30-50% with no audio quality benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Both FLAC and AIFF are lossless formats. FLAC uses lossless compression while AIFF stores audio uncompressed. Converting between them preserves every bit of audio data with zero quality loss.

FLAC uses lossless compression that reduces file size by 30-50% without losing quality. AIFF stores audio completely uncompressed. A 4-minute song might be 25MB as FLAC but 45MB as AIFF.

Logic Pro has limited FLAC support and works best with AIFF or WAV files. For reliable performance in Logic Pro projects, converting FLAC to AIFF eliminates potential compatibility issues.

Yes. Upload multiple FLAC files and convert them all to AIFF in a single batch. This is efficient for converting entire sample libraries or album collections.

For Mac-based production with Logic Pro or GarageBand, AIFF is better due to native compatibility. FLAC works fine in cross-platform DAWs like Ableton or FL Studio. Both preserve identical audio quality.

Basic metadata like title, artist, and album information transfers to AIFF. However, FLAC supports more flexible tagging, so some extended metadata fields may not carry over.

AIFF was developed by Apple but works on Windows and Linux too. Most audio software recognizes AIFF files. However, the format is most commonly used in Apple-centric workflows.

A typical 4-minute song converts in 2-3 seconds. Larger files or batch conversions take proportionally longer. The process is fast because it is reformatting, not transcoding.

Both are uncompressed and sound identical. AIFF is preferred on Mac and in Apple software. WAV is more universal across platforms. Choose based on your primary software and collaborators.

Yes. AIFF fully supports high-resolution audio including 24-bit and 32-bit depth at sample rates up to 192kHz. Your high-res FLAC files convert without any downsampling.

FLAC is generally better for archiving due to smaller file sizes and open-source status. AIFF is proprietary to Apple. Both preserve identical audio quality and are stable long-term formats.

GarageBand is optimized for Apple's native audio formats. AIFF loads and processes more efficiently in GarageBand. While GarageBand can handle some compressed formats, AIFF provides the smoothest experience.

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