The go-to audio file converter on macOS: feel lucky for that as there is no equivalent to XLD on Windows. And now it becomes even faster on Apple Silicon!
XLD is maybe the best converter tool on mac.
BUT when converting SACD *.ISO files to 24bit/352khz the result is often way too loud and all is red.
There is a need to REDUCE the loudness level before conversion.
I still use OSX 10.6.8
"The Eagles - Hotel California" is such a SACD which is not treated right by XLD
I would say I trust it with my life, if only to make the point; not of my life (that would be a little sad) but of trust which, after years of almost daily use, I have only reasons to. I never take for granted that anything computer related just "should work" - or "save time" for that matter - and so I feel gratitude everyday for apps like XLD, which do both.
THE audio conversion utility!
But I've found a little lack though, after many years of use. ;-)
It doesn't decode .opus files (though it encodes them, which seems quite strange...)
The same goes for .m4a but there's a plugin available there that you have to put in the ~/Library/Application Support/XLD/PlugIns/: https://sourceforge.net/projects/xld/files/
The current one is XLDAacDecoder-20181005.zip
So great to see this update, this is by far the best audio converter for macOS. The UI is simple, yet incredibly well designed. As an example, entering or modifying metadata is just a joy to use with well thought out keyboard shortcuts to power through this otherwise tedious task. Great to see this is now 64bit (future proofing), and gets an experimental dark mode for Mojave!!! Don't forget to donate to keep this incredible gem of a tool alive and kicking.
I was a bit worried for the dev, because no update in 11 months... but he seems alive and kickin’, actually working on the 64 bit version: https://sourceforge.net/p/xld/tickets/432/
If anyone wants to help him, there’s a beta version on that page.
Long live XLD and tmkk! :-)
Anyone have a solution to using XLD to rip a multi-CD album into one folder? Despite entering the correct metadata for "Disc x of x," XLD continues to save each CD as its own album. In the main window, it DOES display it as 1-01, 1-02... 2-01, 2-02, but will not save the files this way. Any help is appreciated!
This is an absolutely must-have for any audio conversion! I've got a bunch of other audio converters such as Adapter (which is very good and does also video) but I always rely on XLD when dealing with serious audio conversion. (if you search some older review of mine, you'll see that I'm a sound engineer and that I've done heavy testing years ago: I haven't tested recently, but then, XLD was better than iTunes)
Anyone have any idea why this thing can't write AAC files? It says "Error: cannot write the output file" and saves a bunch of empty m4a files.
I'm stuck encoding everything as MP3. It's great for editing the tags going from AFF files, but it's a pain not being to save as m4a files.
Current version (20151214) is completely hosed on 10.11.5. Windows open as black rectangles and don't display any content until resized. No progress bars while ripping. 'About' window disappears when revised. Controls downloading artwork do nothing. Always been a fan of XLD but avoid, avoid, AVOID 20151214.
Well, as happy I am 4 years with XLD, 4 it's functionality, ease of use and rock-steady performance, as unhappy I am with the new Macupdate 'era'.
I use Macupdate a long time, in fact as long I can remember :-)
But this new 'road' is totally unwanted and highly unacceptable!
I first started to notice this 'behavior' with he MacupUpdate Fall 2015 bundle when I wanted to install Toast 14 on my Mac.
I, as a user, am forced to install some (I don't know what or what the heck it is 4) piece of unwanted software called "Macupdate Desktop" and then, but ONLY then I can install the bought Toast version from the bundle!
I don't want no little-spy or make my machine go coo-coo piece of software on my machine!!!!
I just want to be able to install the software I have bought with my own money, but somehow Macupdate has got this attitude over them, which gives them the right to force this piece of unwanted software!
Sure, I installed the MU desktop, installed Toast 14 and removed de MU Desktop (Thanks to AppDelete!!) but I don't want, in the first place, be forced to use the MU Desktop!
Now, with XLD basically the same problem! When not logged in to the website of MacUpdate, one gets an totally unwanted crappy piece of software to install XLD.
This cannot be good!
However when I am logged in in2 the Macupdate website, I can download the software without the hideous installer!
That routine gives to think that Macupdate has begun DATA-MINING through their website AND via some hideous installers nobody NEEDS or simple DON'T WANT!
There is no other explanation why a good service like Macupdate would go on such a slippery path!?
I did notice the forced MacUpdate desktop install-in-my-face 2 late, because this is such an intrusion on my machine and privacy, but 1 thing I know 4 sure, this was my last-ever buy from Macupdate, how good the deal may seems 2 B!
I will never B forced into some scheme I don't want 2.
As 4 XLD, the program just rocks as always and a 5 star recommendation!!
a little PS 2 the XLD programmer: Don't let UR great app B ruined by such bullocks as now is happening on MacUpdate!!!!!
Many thanks to the developer(s) for the work and generosity that makes XLD available for free.
I use XLD to convert CD tracks to AIFF for FLAC files. I especially like how XLD uses the AccurateRip database to verify the integrity of files and how it can retrieve metadata.
The application can do a lot more. Doing anything will come with a learning curve. Whatever your project or goal, chances are you will have to find and read some tutorial content relating to the task. Considering XLD is free and how it has worked well for me, I don't regret making a little bit of an effort to learn how to use it for my modest purposes.
I recommend visiting the developer website, where you can always download a lean and clean copy of the latest version, and/or make a donation to the developer.
Thanks for this, I have stayed away from FLAC because it seemed like such a pain, but this program was easy to install and works. My only question, and I am hoping someone can answer it, is can I bounce these FLAC files to my iTunes and my iPhone and play them that way. I am only able to play them on my mac as of now through the Window drop down then in Show Player
Thanks
There's a thread over at Macintouch about this app downloading a DMG which contains a file called "Macupdate Installer" so I tested it out. Sure enough, I got same thing first time I tried. I most definitely hit the Download button, not the install button. There is some concern that MU is trying to force the MU Desktop on people. Interestingly, 2nd and 3rd attempts after logging into my free MU account redirected me to Sourceforge download page as would be normal. Not sure if the MU people read these comments but this situation is being taken by quite a few people as deceptive advertising practices. Is this a mistake or is MU repackaging software with an MU installer in it? It might be good to go to Macintouch and post in the thread if this was a mistake.
A fast efficient and easy way to convert audio files. I'm a long time satisfied user, so I sent off another donation for the author's continued selfless maintenance of their fine app.
Five stars to offset Heartman's silly half star which s/he assigned to take out a beef with MU instead of it having anything to do with this great little app.
The developer is to be commended for this very worthy piece of free software.
I am very particular regarding the quality of the music that I listen to. In the days of my ignorance years ago, MP3's were fine for me. Then I discovered the amazing quality of FLAC -- Free Lossless Audio Codec -- files. There was no turning back. Since then, whenever possible, I listen to FLAC files. Given the size of today's hard drives, the overhead in FLAC file size is acceptable.
The problem is that despite all the years that it has existed, iTunes still cannot play FLAC files directly. They must be converted first.
Enter the picture XLD. By simply setting XLD's conversion parameter to ALAC -- Apple Lossless Audio Codec -- I can easily drag and drop one, dozens or hundreds of FLAC files onto XLD's icon on my desktop, and they are quickly converted to readable .mp4 files -- which iTunes recognizes -- without any quality loss, because both FLAC and ALAC are lossless codecs.
As an added bonus, if you happen to download an album which contains all of the songs in one audio file -- such as FLAC, MP3, WAV, etc. -- and if it includes a cue file, XLD can quickly, easily and AUTOMATICALLY split the file into individual song files, without the user even having to take the time to figure out where the song breaks belong.
It's a great piece of software, worthy of our support!
