| FLAC/SHN INFO |
SHN & FLAC files
SHN and FLAC are lossless compression formats for audio files. Using these formats allows for smaller files and therefore faster download times. Uncompressing these files results in the output files being exactly the same as the originals.
Listening to the files on my computer
Mac OSX
Personally, I love the iTunes interface, and just convert them to WAV files to listen to them there. It does take up more hard drive space to keep them in this format, but I do not mind.
To listen to FLAC files though, you can download this program and listen to FLAC files directly, without encoding them.
To listen to SHN files without decoding, you can download MacAmp Lite X and just drag the SHN files to the playlist window.
Windows
If you do not already have it installed, download WinAmp and install it. Then you just need two simple plug-ins.
ShnAmp is available here and will allow you to drag SHN files to your playlist and play them directly. And depending on the settings of your file associations, you may be able to just open the files directly and have them open in WinAmp.
For FLAC files, you can either download the FLAC plug-in for WinAmp or one of the programs listed here.
Decompressing to wav files for listening or burning to disc
Mac OSX
Download this program, xACT, and install it. This program was written by Scott Brown and should be your all-in-one solution for audio decompression.
To check an md5, simply drag the mp5 to the icon in the dock. Then click "checksum" and it will verify the files. You will then get a window showing you if everything was OK or not.
To decompress SHN/FLAC files after verification, simply drag those files to the icon in the dock now. Select which output format you prefer (AIFF or WAV) and click Decode. Then choose where to put the new uncompressed files.
The files are now in AIFF or WAV format in the directory you chose, and ready for you to listen to on your audio player or burn to disc.
Windows
Go here to download the program mkwACT. If you are using 95/98/NT, install the mkwACT Runtime Libraries first. If you are using 2000/XP, it is unnecessary to do so, and you can just download the installer. Further installation/setup instructions are available on the site linked above.
If you happen to download a show with FLAC files instead of SHN, please visit this site for more information on it for Windows systems. |
| Just want to convert a file to mp3 for your own personal use? I suggest downloading dbPowerAmp and make sure you get all the plugins for each file format you use. |
| There, now no more excuses as to why your lazy ass needs to post mp3 after mp3 to this board! |
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