FLAC2M4A

Hi! This script has been created to convert lossless files (FLAC format) in lossy files (M4A format with codec aac). By default it looks for flac files in $PWD path, and it saves converted m4a files (default 320kbps for a good quality) to output directory that it will create if it doesn't exists.

Dependencies

To use this script you need some dependencies. It uses avconv for convertion.

On Debian based distros you should install these packages:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libav-tools

On Gentoo:
After setting appropriate USE flags, run the next command:

root # emerge --ask media-video/libav

On other distros use Download section of Libav to download tarball files or download the package from GitHub - libav/libav. Once you have downloaded it, follow the internal instructions.

Hint

Can you use flac2m4a everywhere in your system if you insert the path of this script in your $PATH. My advice is to follow the next commands:

user@linuxmachine ~ $ ls
flac2m4a
user@linuxmachine ~ $ mkdir bin
user@linuxmachine ~ $ mv flac2m4a bin/
user@linuxmachine ~ $ ln -s flac2m4a/flac2m4a bin/flac2m4a
user@linuxmachine ~ $ export PATH=/home/user/bin/:$PATH

Now run flac2m4a everywhere!

How it work

Default settings:

• pathname : is the work directory from you launch this program ($PWD)
• output: script creates a new directory called output if it doesn't exists
• bitrates: It's setted to 320kbps

Directories' structure:
I supponed that you've called <name_of_link> (previous created) as flac2m4a

user@linuxmachine ~/bin/$ tree
.
├── flac2m4a -> flac2m4a/flac2m4a
├── flac2m4a
│   ├── doc
│   │   └── help
│   ├── flac2m4a
│   └── README.md

user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ tree
.
├── other_music
│   ├── Mayito Rivera - Necesito una amiga (Live).flac
│   └── Mayito Rivera - Negrito bailador.flac
├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.flac
├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.flac
└── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.flac

Examples:
Simple run of flac2m4a: it will create output folder with converted files inside it

user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ flac2m4a
I'll convert all FLAC files inside ./
I've found 3 FLAC files to convert
	.
	.
	.
	.
	.
Done!
user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ tree
.
├── other_music
│   ├── Mayito Rivera - Necesito una amiga (Live).flac
│   └── Mayito Rivera - Negrito bailador.flac
├── output
│   ├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.m4a
│   ├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.m4a
│   └── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.m4a
├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.flac
├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.flac
└── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.flac

Using -o or --output-directory <directory_name>: It will create all folders with converted files indise it

user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ flac2m4a -o conversion/Barretto
I'll convert all FLAC files inside ./
I've found 3 FLAC files to convert
	.
	.
	.
	.
	.
Done!
user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ tree
.
├── conversion
│   └── Barretto
│       ├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.m4a
│       ├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.m4a
│       └── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.m4a
├── other_music
│   ├── Mayito Rivera - Necesito una amiga (Live).flac
│   └── Mayito Rivera - Negrito bailador.flac
├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.flac
├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.flac
└── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.flac

Using -p or --path <directory_name>: It will search FLAC files in <directory_name>, then they will be converted in output folder

user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ flac2m4a -p other_music
I'll convert all FLAC files inside other_music
I've found 2 FLAC files to convert
	.
	.
	.
	.
	.
Done!
user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ tree
.
├── conversion
│   └── Barretto
│       ├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.m4a
│       ├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.m4a
│       └── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.m4a
├── other_music
│   ├── Mayito Rivera - Necesito una amiga (Live).flac
│   └── Mayito Rivera - Negrito bailador.flac
├── output
│   ├── Mayito Rivera - Necesito una amiga (Live).m4a
│   └── Mayito Rivera - Negrito bailador.m4a
├── Ray Barretto - Amor artificial.flac
├── Ray Barretto - Arrepientete.flac
└── Ray Barretto - Indestructible.flac

Use -b or --bitrates to set bitrates for output files

user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ flac2m4a --bitrates 192

Use -f or --file <file_name> to convert just <file_name>

user@linuxmachine ~/Music $ flac2m4a -f Ray\ Barretto\ -\ Amor\ artificial.flac

NB: Obviously, all options can be used together.

Thanks :)