A compact application that allows users to rip audio CDs and perform conversion operations between file formats, including MP3, FLAC, OGG and AAC.
- fre:ac
- License :GPL
- OS :Windows All
- Publisher :Robert Kausch
fre:ac (short for free audio converter) is a free and open-source tool for converting audio files between formats and ripping CDs. It’s a powerful alternative to CDex, with support for modern audio formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC, Opus, and more — all in a clean interface.
🔧 What You Can Do with fre:ac
- 🎧 Convert audio files (MP3 ↔ FLAC, WAV ↔ AAC, etc.)
- 💿 Rip audio CDs into high-quality files (MP3, FLAC, etc.)
- 🏷️ Automatically tag files using CDDB/FreeDB
- 📂 Batch convert multiple files at once
- 🌐 Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
✅ How to Use fre:ac — Step-by-Step
🔹 Step 1: Download and Install
- Website: https://www.freac.org
- Choose the version for your OS (Windows/macOS/Linux/portable).
- Install and launch fre:ac.
🔹 Step 2: Convert Audio Files
➤ Add files:
- Click “Add Files” or drag and drop audio files into the main window.
➤ Choose Output Format:
- Click the encoder icon (gear with green arrow).
- Choose your desired output format:
- LAME MP3
- FLAC
- AAC
- Opus
- WAV
- You can click the “Configure encoder” button to adjust bit rate, VBR/CBR settings, etc.
➤ Choose Output Folder:
- Go to Options > General Settings > Output to set where converted files will go.
➤ Start Conversion:
- Click the Play/Start button (green triangle).
- Wait for the files to convert.
🔹 Step 3: Rip a CD to MP3/FLAC/etc.
- Insert your audio CD.
- fre:ac will detect the CD and show tracks.
- Optionally go to Database > CDDB to fetch track info.
- Choose output format as above (MP3, FLAC, etc.).
- Click Start to begin ripping.
🛠️ Useful fre:ac Settings
| Setting | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 Encoder settings | Configure encoder (via toolbar) | Adjust bit rate, VBR, stereo mode |
| 📁 Output folder | Options → General Settings → Output | Where files are saved |
| 🏷️ Tagging | Options → Tagging | Customize how filenames and tags are set |
| 🌍 Online database | Database → CDDB options | Automatically get track names for CDs |
❗ Troubleshooting Tips
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| CD not detected | Try running fre:ac as administrator, or check your CD drive. |
| No tags on output files | Enable CDDB, or manually add metadata. |
| Low quality output | Set MP3 encoder to 256+ kbps or use FLAC. |
| Conversion is slow | Enable multi-threading in settings (under “Processing”). |
⚡ Tip for Best MP3 Settings:
- Bitrate: 192 kbps or 320 kbps for high quality
- Mode: Joint Stereo
- VBR: Enabled if file size isn’t a concern (gives better quality/size ratio)