FLAC format: how to re-encode

As you all know, the FLAC encoder has gone through fixes and optimizations through time. Also, the flac can be "compressed" using different alternatives resulting in larger or smaller files (little difference). Now, my question is:

I have a large archive of FLACs. What is the absolutely simplest and best way to re-encode those flacs with the latest encoder so that I also can get ALL of them to be of highest compression ratio? Any ideas? Thanks!

Originally Posted by u45735

...Any ideas? Thanks!

You can use free command line decoder and encoder from flac developers (see FLAC - Free Lossless Audio Codec).

Commandline...hmm =/. I'm not really that good in dos. Can this be made by the windows-gui version of the program, and if so, how? Thanks again.

Originally Posted by nvit

You can use free command line decoder and encoder from flac developers (see FLAC - Free Lossless Audio Codec).

I use foobar2000

Originally Posted by u45735

Commandline...hmm =/. I'm not really that good in dos. Can this be made by the windows-gui version of the program, and if so, how? Thanks again.

There are many references to programs that support FLAC (including applications with GUI) on the FLAC's site.

I use DbPowerAmp, it converts almost any format i can imagine.

Oh, thats perfect! I too use foobar! Now, how do i schedule it to "recode" all of my flac-archive?

Originally Posted by BobbyQ

I use foobar2000

schedule like in scheduling it to process at night ?

Could you please, please tell me how to do this since I'm not that familiar with Foobar?

Originally Posted by BobbyQ

schedule like in scheduling it to process at night ?

It would be really kind of you if you told me how to do this in foobar.

Originally Posted by BobbyQ

schedule like in scheduling it to process at night ?

Put all songs you want to re-encode in one playlist. After that select all items in that playlist. Right click and press "Convert" -> "Convert to..."
Then choose one encoding preset you would like to use. In your case it should be "FLAC, level xx" or so.

Befor you do all that, you can define the encoding preset in
"File" -> "Preferences" -> "Tools" -> "Converter" -> "Encoding Presets"

Originally Posted by u45735

It would be really kind of you if you told me how to do this in foobar.

you did not answer my question ... anyway. I never used foobar with a scheduler because that makes no sense to me ...
If I want to convert something while I sleep, I simply click what I want to be done, and then go sleeping. Next morning it's finished.
Just select any number of files (or all) from a playlist, right-click, convert.

Originally Posted by walla

Put all songs you want to re-encode in one playlist. After that select all items in that playlist. Right click and press "Convert" -> "Convert to..."
Then choose one encoding preset you would like to use. In your case it should be "FLAC, level xx" or so.

Befor you do all that, you can define the encoding preset in
"File" -> "Preferences" -> "Tools" -> "Converter" -> "Encoding Presets"

This is perfect, just what I was after. So - will this keep my current songs in their folders and simply "update" them, or do I have to save all songs togeather in a new folder and then be forced to sort out what song belongs to what album (folder)?

Thanks again for the help!

I'm afraid that all songs will be stored in one folder.

You are asked in what folder.

Originally Posted by walla

I'm afraid that all songs will be stored in one folder.

You are asked in what folder.

No, you can convert each song within its source directory. That's what "convert to same directory" does

Ah, of course. Totally forgot about that.

Wow, thanks! I am feeling we're really close to the final answer here. I just can not find the "convert to same directory"- setting. Where do I mark it? Thanks again!

Originally Posted by BobbyQ

No, you can convert each song within its source directory. That's what "convert to same directory" does

it's in the right-click menu of a song. if not, get the latest version.

Oh there it was! Thanks a bunch for helping me out!!

Originally Posted by BobbyQ

it's in the right-click menu of a song. if not, get the latest version.