Max

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2005
Developer: Stephen F. Booth
Pricing: Free (open-source)
Open source: Yes
Platforms: macOS

Indexes

Audio Converters

Overview

Max is an open-source audio converter and CD ripper application designed for macOS that enables users to extract audio from compact discs and convert between various audio formats. The application supports over 20 compressed and uncompressed audio formats including MP3, FLAC, AAC, Apple Lossless, Ogg Vorbis, AIFF, and WAVE, making it suitable for users who need to work with diverse audio file types while maintaining high quality.

Key Features

CD Ripping - Extract audio from compact discs directly into various audio formats
Multi-format Support - Read and write over 20 compressed and uncompressed audio formats
Format Conversion - Convert audio files between different formats at various sample rates and bit depths
High-quality Output - Generate high-quality audio files from source material
Batch Processing - Handle multiple audio files and conversions efficiently
Open Source - Freely available source code under GPLv2 license for modification and distribution

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	$0	Full application with all features, open-source code available

Platforms & Requirements

Max runs exclusively on macOS and is designed as a native Mac application. As an open-source project, it can be compiled from source code on compatible macOS systems. The application requires a CD drive for disc ripping functionality.

Integrations & Ecosystem

CD audio extraction
Audio file import from local storage
Export to MP3 format
Export to FLAC format
Export to AAC format
Export to Apple Lossless format
Export to Ogg Vorbis format
Export to AIFF and WAVE formats

Alternatives

App	Difference
The Audio Converter	Cross-platform app available on macOS and iOS with support for video-to-audio conversion and a simpler user interface
How To Convert	Supports over 500 audio formats across Windows, macOS, and Linux with one-time purchase pricing model
Audio Converter Extractor Max	Commercial solution focused on audio extraction and conversion with different feature set and pricing

Reputation

Max is recognized as a reliable, long-standing open-source solution for macOS users needing CD ripping and audio format conversion capabilities. Its strength lies in its free availability, open-source nature, and support for multiple audio formats, making it accessible to users who prefer open-source software. The application has maintained active development since 2005, though its macOS-only limitation restricts its appeal compared to cross-platform alternatives. Users appreciate its straightforward functionality, though some may find it less feature-rich than commercial competitors.

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