Cool FLAC to MP3

by Nic Evans
8.09 V2.1

Cool FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Score: 3

So I had some files I needed to convert from the FLAC format to MP3. I went a Googlin' and found Cool FLAC To MP3 Converter. You might be asking, why would someone want to convert the superior FLAC (a lossless format) to MP3 (a compressed one). Well, with my hard drive already crammed full of 0s and 1s, I need every bit of extra space I can get. FLAC files are much larger than MP3s despite being smaller than the WAV format. If I ever wanted to put them onto a portable device like a smart phone or IPod, where space is even more important, this would be a good idea too. Remember this if you ever rip a CD for someone in FLAC format. While sounding slightly better on a high end system and with a very discerning ear, it can be a bit of an inconvenience.

So back to the program. When I installed it, AVG informed me that along with the program, Cool FLAC to MP3 kindly installed some adware too. I moved the adware to the vault and continued. This is unforgivable. A program should never install something without telling the user it is doing so or giving them the option to not install it.

The interface is minimal to say the least. You cannot select multiple files at once from the folder menu, common keyboard shortcuts do not work and there is no drag and drop feature. This means if you want to convert say, a whole album, you have to select them one by one, going back to the browse folder window each time. This seems very unnecessary. When it comes time to remove the files from the list, there is no option to remove them all at once. So again, you must click each file and then click the minus sign over and over again (delete key does not work). Further proof that whoever programmed this is clueless; when the files are done, it gives you the message VIDEO CONVERTED. Seriously, how can you get this wrong?

It gets the job done, that's the best thing I can say about Cool FLAC to MP3. There are multiple quality settings from very low to very high as well. Also, it's free. There is other software, like One-Click Audio Converter, that will let you convert 20 files before purchasing a license. You can also perform this process by using multiple free programs. This is done with Winamp (and the Flac w/library support plug-in) converting from FLAC to WAV. Then, using ITunes to convert from WAV to MP3. This a somewhat lengthy and inconvenient process.

The only thing "cool" about Cool FLAC To MP3 converter is that I can uninstall it when I am done.

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