M4A or ACC to MP3? [Archive]

$n][pErMan

01-07-09, 08:55 PM

I have some iTunes files that I have purchased that I would like to convert to MP3 so I can play them in my car as well as my ipod. I saw a bunch of programs out there but was unsure of what was BS and what was not. Was wondering if anyone could recommend a nice little program that works and is not loaded with a ton of BS. I really dont want to go throuh the time to burn to .wav and then ripping to mp3... :( Thanks! :)

ViN86

01-07-09, 09:21 PM

[pErMan;1896359']I have some iTunes files that I have purchased that I would like to convert to MP3 so I can play them in my car as well as my ipod. I saw a bunch of programs out there but was unsure of what was BS and what was not. Was wondering if anyone could recommend a nice little program that works and is not loaded with a ton of BS. I really dont want to go throuh the time to burn to .wav and then ripping to mp3... :( Thanks! :)

i thought iTunes could do it...

i know you can set iTunes to import to MP3 instead of M4A/AAC. also, your ipod will play both MP3 and M4A.

i would use BonkEnc and LAME MP3 (both free) to convert the files.
http://www.bonkenc.org/

six_storm

01-07-09, 10:24 PM

iTunes can do it. But you can also use MediaMonkey. :D

crainger

01-07-09, 10:33 PM

Wont you have to strip the DRM before you can convert? iTunes store usually uses M4P unless it's iTunes Plus, which is unprotected (at an extra cost of course).

$n][pErMan

01-07-09, 10:50 PM

iTunes can do it. But you can also use MediaMonkey. :D

iTunes will only rip CD's to MP3... it even says in fine print that the settings to not apply for the itunes store :( I will give that one program a try tomorrow ViN. As for the DRM... I thought they got rid of that? I have been using my ipod for awhile but never used the itunes store... wanted to give it a shot. I might make it my primary music outlet if I can convert to MP3's without a problem :) Keep listing programs if you know them!

crainger

01-07-09, 11:33 PM

I think some record labels dropped DRM, but not all. Parhaps I'm behind in the news. If they have dropped it outright, I'm gonna buy a 120gb Classic right now. ::D:

WeReWoLf

01-08-09, 12:20 AM

I use NCH Wavepad for all of my converting needs. Not a free program, but very very very useful.

einstein_314

01-09-09, 01:45 AM

crainger

01-09-09, 02:42 AM

It does, and it's pretty hard to do. Easy way is to just play the file and record it as a wav using the 'what you hear' option. It's slow and the quality may suffer more, but it's the simplest.

ViN86

01-09-09, 10:56 AM

It does, and it's pretty hard to do. Easy way is to just play the file and record it as a wav using the 'what you hear' option. It's slow and the quality may suffer more, but it's the simplest.

make sure you mute the mic if you use this method :lol:

$n][pErMan

01-10-09, 02:44 AM

Wait ... so do your files have DRM or not? If they don't, then iTunes can do it no problem. Just go into Advanced settings and change the import options to mp3. Then right click on files you want to convert and pick convert to mp3.

If you want to strip the DRM from them.....touchy subject....I think that falls under the category of piracy...(lee)
I just bought a few songs to test the itunes store and see what its like. Almost all my songs are MP3's... I figured by default it had that stupid DRM on it... apperently not as your trick worked ;) I generally dump 100 or so mp3's on a CD so I can play it in my car w/o having to take my ipod with me (not a good idea when you head out for the night!). Hence the reason I wanted a nice little conversion program :) Which I still might use anyway! Haha... can't believe I never noticed that option :p

crainger

01-10-09, 08:47 AM

make sure you mute the mic if you use this method :lol:

Yeah, otherwise you hear yourself singing along in the background. ::D:

LovingSticky

01-11-09, 07:28 AM

Converting from a lossy compression scheme (AAC) with bitrate around 256kbps and lower to another lossy scheme (MP3) will result in horrible sound quality.

Make sure your source is Lossless codec (MP4 Lossless, WMA Lossless, FLAC, etc.) before making the conversion. Or buy a car stereo that can handle MP4.

I store all of my CDs ripped to WMA Lossless files (no DRM, ripped from my own original CD), and both my computer, MP3 player (Zune) and car stereo can play them :)