FLAC: Free Lossless Audio Codec

Overview

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open-source audio coding format for lossless compression of digital audio. Unlike lossy formats like MP3, FLAC compresses audio without any loss in quality.

Developed by Josh Coalson and first released in 2001, FLAC typically reduces file sizes by 40-60% while maintaining perfect audio fidelity. It has become the preferred format for audio enthusiasts and archival purposes.

History

Development History

• 2001: First release by Josh Coalson
• 2003: FLAC 1.1.0 with improved encoding
• 2007: Integrated into Android
• 2013: FLAC became part of Xiph.Org Foundation
• 2017: Native support added to iOS

Features and Capabilities

Key Features

• Lossless compression (perfect audio quality)
• Open-source and royalty-free
• Typically 50-60% compression ratio
• Support for up to 32-bit/655kHz audio
• Fast decoding and encoding
• Comprehensive metadata support (Vorbis comments)
• Error detection with CRC checksums
• Seeking support for fast random access

Common Use Cases

Common Uses

• Music archival: Preserving CD collections digitally
• Audiophile listening: High-quality music playback
• Music production: Distributing high-quality masters
• Streaming: High-quality audio streaming services (Tidal, Qobuz)
• Audio backup: Long-term preservation of audio recordings

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

• Perfect audio quality (lossless)
• Better compression than WAV
• Open-source and free
• Wide software and hardware support
• Fast decoding
• Extensive metadata support

Disadvantages

• Larger files than lossy formats (MP3, AAC)
• Not supported by all portable players
• Higher bandwidth requirements for streaming
• No built-in DRM support

Technical Information

FLAC uses linear prediction and Rice coding to achieve lossless compression of audio data.

Technical Specifications