Convert APL to FLA

Understanding APL and FLA file formats

APL files are Monkey's Audio Track Information Files. They are small, text-based files that store metadata and cue information for audio tracks compressed with the Monkey's Audio (APE) format. APL files do not contain actual audio data; instead, they reference segments within a larger APE audio file, allowing for track splitting and playback.

FLA files are FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) audio files. FLAC is a popular open-source lossless audio format that compresses audio without any loss in quality. FLA is an alternative extension sometimes used for FLAC files, though .flac is more common.

How to convert APL to FLA

Since APL files do not contain audio data, converting APL to FLA involves extracting the referenced audio segment from the source APE file and then encoding it as a FLAC (FLA) file. This process requires both the APE file and its associated APL cue file.

Recommended software for APL to FLA conversion

The best software for this conversion is Foobar2000, a free and powerful audio player and converter for Windows. It supports APE, APL, and FLAC formats natively with the appropriate components installed.

Steps to convert using Foobar2000

1. Install Foobar2000 and the Monkey's Audio and FLAC components.
2. Open Foobar2000 and use File → Add Files to import your APL files (ensure the referenced APE file is in the same folder).
3. Select the tracks you want to convert.
4. Right-click and choose Convert → Quick Convert or Convert → ... for advanced options.
5. Select FLAC as the output format. You can rename the extension to .fla if needed.
6. Click Convert and choose your output folder.

Alternative tools

Other tools like dBpoweramp Music Converter and CUETools can also handle APL and FLAC conversions, but Foobar2000 is the most straightforward and widely recommended solution.

Summary

To convert APL to FLA, you need both the APL cue file and the original APE audio file. Use Foobar2000 to extract and convert the referenced audio segments to FLAC (FLA) format efficiently.