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Max

Free plan Mac

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What Max is

Max is a macOS app for creating audio files from CDs and converting existing audio. It reads and writes more than 20 formats at almost all sample rates and most sample sizes, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, Apple Lossless, WavPack, Speex, AIFF, and WAVE. For CD extraction, it offers a high-speed option without error correction for pristine discs, plus a comparison ripper or cdparanoia error correction for damaged discs. A cue sheet can divide one audio file into multiple tracks.

Max can retrieve CD details from MusicBrainz and write metadata to supported output formats. For many popular formats, artist and album information transfers from source files during conversion. Users can choose the destination and names for output files, and can send encoded files to a playlist they select in iTunes. Advanced settings cover encoding thread count, extraction error correction, and encoder parameters. Max is free software under the GNU General Public License (GPL), and requires macOS 10.7 or greater.

Who it suits

Max suits Mac users who want to rip CDs, convert audio, or organize output files with control over format and encoding settings. It may also fit people who want MusicBrainz metadata retrieval or to add encoded tracks to a selected iTunes playlist.

What it does well

  • Reads and writes over 20 audio formats.
  • Offers different ripping options for pristine and damaged discs.
  • MusicBrainz can supply CD information automatically.
  • Cue sheets can split a file into multiple tracks.
  • Advanced users can adjust encoder parameters.

What to know first

  • Available for macOS only.
  • Requires macOS 10.7 or greater.
  • Cloud conversion is not available.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
MaxFree software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL)Free

As sbooth.org lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://sbooth.org/Max/.
  2. Use a Mac running macOS 10.7 or greater.
  3. Choose a CD ripping option or open an existing audio file.
  4. Select an output format and configure destination or encoding settings as needed.

Verdict

Choose Max if you want a free macOS tool for CD ripping and audio conversion across a wide range of formats. Look elsewhere if you need a cloud conversion service or a platform other than macOS.

Questions

How much does Max cost?

Max is free software, and its listed plan is free.

Which platforms does Max support?

Max is for macOS and requires macOS 10.7 or greater.

Which audio formats does it support?

It reads and writes more than 20 formats, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, Apple Lossless, WavPack, AIFF, and WAVE.

Can Max retrieve CD metadata?

Yes. It integrates with MusicBrainz to retrieve CD information and write metadata to supported output formats.

Is Max open source?

It is free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

Does Max offer cloud conversion?

No. Cloud conversion is not available.

Facts from Max's own pages

Advanced controls
Advanced users can configure encoding threads, audio extraction error correction, and encoder parameters. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Audio conversion
Max can read and write over 20 audio formats at almost all sample rates and most sample sizes. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
CD ripping
For pristine discs, Max offers a high-speed ripper with no error correction; for damaged discs, it offers a comparison ripper or cdparanoia error correction. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Cue sheets
Max can split a single audio file into multiple tracks using a cue sheet. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Encoder controls
Advanced users can control encoding thread count, audio extraction error correction, and encoder parameters. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
File conversion
Max reads and writes over 20 audio formats at almost all sample rates and most sample sizes. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Integration
Max integrates with MusicBrainz to retrieve compact disc information and write metadata to supported output formats. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
iTunes
Max can add encoded files to an iTunes library in a playlist the user chooses. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
iTunes integration
Max can add encoded files to an iTunes library playlist selected by the user. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
License
Max is free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Metadata integration
Max integrates with MusicBrainz to retrieve CD information automatically. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Metadata transfer
For many popular formats, artist and album metadata transfers between the source and converted files. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Metadata writing
Max writes retrieved metadata to MP3, FLAC, Ogg FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, Monkey's Audio, WavPack, AAC, and Apple Lossless output files. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Open source
Max is free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Output formats
Max can create audio in over 20 compressed and uncompressed formats, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, Apple Lossless, WavPack, Speex, AIFF, and WAVE. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Output organization
Users can control where output files are placed and what they are named. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Platform requirement
The stated requirement is macOS 10.7 or greater. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
Max creates audio files from compact discs or existing audio files. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Support
The project points users to its forums for common questions and its GitHub issue tracker for bug reports. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
System requirement
The project lists macOS 10.7 or greater as a requirement. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026

Where Max stands on Freedom251

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