Exporting m4a to mp3

Hallo there,
am running iTunes 11.0.2.
As the title says I would like to convert some music to the mp3 format. I realize there is the 'create mp3 version' under the contextual menu of each song and this groups this version with the original format within the library. This however also means I have to go through the entire library to find the mp3s after they are no longer wanted. All I want to be able to do is convert and have them export to a file of my choosing i.e. Desktop.
Now I have tried Preferences>Advanced>iTunes Media Folder Location. But this seemed rather daunting as I don't want to relocate the entire Media Folder. Is this the only possibility short of manually deleting the mp3s? Maybe I'm just not seeing the right way to do this.
Regards Argento

argento wrote:
Would it not then make sense (massive endevour) to convert ALL music files in the library to mp3s (highest quality) and ditch the ACCs?
No sense at all, except in the specific circumstance where you want to get the files onto an MP3 player which won't handle AAC. The latter is better quality than MP3 at a given bitrate, and in any case converting a compressed file to another format with a higher bitrate cannot improve the quality - and indeed converting to a different compression system is liable to make the quality worse.
Compression is done by leaving out parts of the sound that it is assumed you can't hear; once done you can never put these parts back, and converting to MP3 is liable to leave out different parts in addition to those already missing.
All Apple devices can handle AAC and if that's where you want to play your music you are best off leaving the files alone.

Similar Messages

  • Export M4a files as MP3

    I think that I used to be able to do this from within iTunes, but I am not sure. *I want to take some of my songs, which I imported from a CD and export them as MP3s, so that I can play them on my other MP3 player, which is not an iPod and only plays MP3s.* How can I do this, either with iTunes, Automater or something else (GarageBand?) that came on my Mac? If none of these will work, is there a good utility, preferably freeware, that will do the job?
    Thanks,Mark

    It would probably be faster and the quality of the results would be better if you just re-ripped the CD as mp3 files. In iTunes, go to Preferences>Advanced>Importing and change your importing preferences to .mp3 then re-rip the CD.
    You could convert the existing files by going to Preferences>Advanced>Importing and change your importing preferences to .mp3 then selecting the files you want to convert and then selecting "Convert to mp3" from the Advanced menu. However, whenever you convert from one lossy format to another, there is always some additional loss in quality. My experience has also been that converting takes longer than re-ripping.

  • Files converted from m4a to mp3 are not displaying correctly in feed

    hi; i recently produced my first show in garageband (after using a bunch of other audio apps in the past), exported to an m4a file, and converted to mp3 in itunes, but it is not showing up as an audio file in my feed.
    the feed is http://feeds.feedburner.com/wellroundedradio and my blog posting on it is http://wellroundedmedia.blogspot.com
    is there something you need to do when converting from m4a to mp3 in itunes to make sure the settings are all correct so it will be enclosed as an audio file? i have tested other mp3 files in the feed and they are working fine.
    thx, charlie
    ==
    charles mcenerney
    host + producer
    well-rounded radio
    http://www.wellroundedradio.net
    iBook G4   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

    greg-
    thanks. yes, i think that's what has been so tricky about this. i add a link to an mp3 in blogger, but feedburner doesn't add this particular show as an enclosure, so it's not updating in the feed. can't seem to find where the origin of the problem, though...is it blogger, feedburner, or the mp3 file or...?
    charlie

  • Obtain ID-tag from m4a, m4p, mp3, ... file bought on iTunes Music Store

    How can i obtain ID-tag (... and an unique ID?) from m4a, m4p, mp3 file bought on iTunes Music Store?
    I need to build C/C++ application to make this.
    Best regards.

    Burn them to an audio CD then re-import them. This strips off the restrictions and protections rendering them like any other CD music you import. And then you can store the CDRs away as a backup of your purchase.
    Patrick

  • Export Sound to MP3?

    Is there a way to Export Sound to MP3 in QuickTime Pro? Is there some sort of plugin that you download or buy to add this feature? I know iTunes can create MP3 files, but I'd love to be able to do it in QuickTime Pro.

    Thanks for the info Rob. The sound plays fine in Flash. The export settings are: 16-bit stereo 44.100kHz H264. Could the video H264 compression be the problem? Without the H64 compression the video triples in size. Something I'm trying to avoid. I will give no audio compression a try.

  • Converting to m4a from mp3 song length error

    Converting to m4a from mp3 song length error. Smaller & cuts off end of song

    "If it's not too late delete itunes off your c
    drive and reinstallit on d"
    No need to uninstall iTunes from the
    main C: drive and install it to another drive. In
    fact, it is a bit safer to keep the iTunes
    Program installed on the same drive with the
    other programs.
    iTunes operates as a database of information for your
    music files. The actual music files are stored on
    your PC, not within iTunes. iTunes keeps absolute
    references of the music file location and other
    information in its database file. This allows iTunes
    to use music files from any location on the PC:
    different directories/folders on the main HD, another
    internal drive, and external drive or a network drive
    (or any combination of the above). Each song
    reference has a specific and hardcoded path so iTunes
    can find and play (or sync) it.
    Make sure you only change the location of the iTunes
    Music Folder, rather than the iTunes
    program. Move all the music files to the D: drive.
    I respectfully disagree with your claim. I've been running itunes on a dedicated music drive for over a year and had not one issue. iTunes can still allocate a file from any one of my computer's 5 hard drives. Keeping it where other programs or OS are installed makes no difference at all. By installing iTunes on the music drive, the iTunes music folder is automatically where she would want it.
    Self Built   Windows XP Pro   1.7TB, 2GB, RAM, 939 AMD 4000+

  • I bought a song and i already have the song in m4a and mp3, but i didnt receive the document to proof that the music is legal. What i need to do?

    Im a portuguese DJ and i want to buy mp3 music from itunes to play at my shows. I bought a song to test the process and i already have the song in m4a and mp3, but i didnt receive the document to proof that the music is legal. What i need to do? I cant play the music if i dont have the document telling that i bought it.
    Thanks,
    Bruno Mestre

    BMestre wrote:
    In first place i want to thank you for the answer, but it didnt solved my problem.
    I know how to see my purchase history, but i need a valid document to show to authorities in case of some problem. I cant show them a print screen of my purchase history.=X
    I was expecting some kind of document from itunes like we receive from beatport. A proof that you bought that songs. With your informations, the song name and the prices.
    To the authorities a print screen means nothing.=X
    Thaks again,
    Bruno Mestre
    Hello Bruno,
    As you know, Beatport caters to DJ users, and provides the documentation needed to prove ownership that may be required for public performance.
    The iTunes Store does not serve the DJ market.  In fact, the terms of the iTunes Store restrict the use of its songs to personal, non-commercial use.  Here is the info from the Apple Legal statement:
    Ser-lhe-á autorizada a utilização dos Produtos iTunes apenas para uso pessoal, não comercial.

  • How to Convert a Large Batch of m4a to mp3

    The other day, I wanted to burn a CD with MP3 files, using iTunes, so that I could listen to music on my MP3 player in my car, but when I tried to burn a particular playlist, about 50% of the files would not burn because they were in the M4A format. (i.e. files I purchased and downloaded from the iTunes store).
    I needed to convert these files in a batch, because I have about 64GB of music, (having ripped my previous CD collection onto my hard drive) and I have better things to do, than converting each one individually, like driving around in my car, listening to music.
    Here’s the basic method that I finally devised (see below for more detailed instructions): 
    Display the “Song” view in iTunes and sort by Kind (i.e. file type)
    Select all the AAC Audio files (m4a)
    Right Click and select “Create MP3 Version”
    Delete the AAC Audio files (m4a) & empty the trash (m4a files will be deleted from your hard drive)
    The AAC Audio files will now show up as being available to download from iTunes (a cloud icon with a down arrow), but you can hide these files by selecting “View” à “Hide Music in the Cloud”.
    Now you can burn a CD without being concerned about the file format.
    There are a few things that you have to check/set in order to make this method work:
    First, you need to set the view, so you can see the cloud status and the song file type:
    Open iTunes and select “Songs”
    From the top menu, select “View” à  “Show View Options” or Cmd + J
    In the View window, ensure “iCloud Download” is selected in the “Music” section and that “Kind” is selected in the “File” section.  (you may have to click on the down arrow to expand these areas in the View window.)
    Select “Sort by: Kind” at the top of the View window or click the “Kind” column heading in the Song List.
    Second, you will have to set the conversion type to MP3:
    Open iTunes Preferences (cmd + , )
    Under “General Preferences” under “When a CD is inserted:” click the “Import Settings” button.
    Under “Import Using”, select “MP3 Encoder”
    Additional Notes:
    Removing the iCloud Songs (downloadable) in iTunes:
    You can also select all the “iCloud” files/tunes and delete them.  You will get an error message:
    “Are you sure you want to hide these items in iCloud?  These items will be hidden from your iTunes in the Cloud purchases.”
    If, at some later date, you want your AAC/M4A files back, you can re-display them so they can be downloaded.
    Retrieving the Hidden iCloud Songs:
    Open iTunes Store
    Click on your iTunes account and select “account”
    Logon to your account
    Under the “iTunes in the Cloud” section, IF you have hidden purchases, you will see “Hidden Purchases”, select “Manage”
    Click the “Unhide” button or select “Unhide All” at the bottom
    Log out of your account and return to your library and the Songs List.  You can now sort your list by the clicking on the “Cloud” heading icon to see all of your files that can be re-downloaded.
    Click on the Cloud Download icon and the AAC Audio File (.m4a) file will be copied to your hard drive.

    1 - select the photos in iPhoto and click "e-mail"
    Or 2 - select the photos and export them to a folder (file menu Export) and right click (control click) on the folder and select compress [folder name] and then attach that folder to an e-mail
    LN

  • Converting iTunes (m4a) to mp3 or wav

    I have a fairly extensive iTunes library which I sync with my iPod Nano 2. My daughter has just been given an mp3 player for her birthday and I'm trying to find a simple way of exporting & converting tracks for her to either mp3 or WAV format without losing my m4a. Any ideas short of burning original to CD then re-importing under her account (where import of CD's is set to mp3)?
    I have managed to open an iTunes track as m4a within Quicktime and save as a wav file, but the file size went from 2.6 MB to 11.7 MB - not very practical.
    Cheers, Andy
    Message was edited by: Andy Faizey

    If the file is an .m4p then it is DRM protected and you can only burn is as an audio CD - you can figure out the rest.
    If the file is a .m4a - no DRM - then you should be able to convert it to an mp3 within iTunes. Change your iTunes import options prefs.
    MJ

  • PLEASE HELP !!! Exporting mix to mp3 leads to nothing ?

    Hi-
    I am a newb to Audition 3.0, but it seems I know just enough to be dangerous. I was hoping I could get some help with an issu I'm having-
    I have recorded about five tracks into Audition. I need to "flatten them" and then export the file to an mp3. Whenever I export, the file always comes up empty, in other words, nothing records. Anyone have any ideas what I'm doing wrong. I just exported to a 77mb mp3 that is completely empty. What am I doing g wrong ?
    Thanks
    Mike

    Let's start with the beginning:
    - can you hear any sounds at all in AA?
    - what did you record, can you hear that in AA, and how did you save it (as wav)
    - to export, go to File / Save As, and in the selection box select mp3PRO, and click Save. Do this for each file; as an alternative, you can use batch conversion to convert the files in one process.

  • Can I burn .m4a and .mp3 file on the same CD?

    I downloaded a few podcasts and have one in .m4a format, the other in .mp3.
    Can both be burned onto the same CD via iTunes -- or do I need to convert?
    And if so, what format should both podcasts be in?
    Thanks.

    Can both be burned onto the same CD via iTunes
    Yes.
    And if so, what format should both podcasts be in?
    If you want an audio CD, just put all files into a playlist and click *Burn CD* then select Audio CD. iTunes will convert them to CD audio.
    Selecting Data CD/DVD in iTunes will burn the files as they are. They can be MP3, AAC, AIFF or whatever and will be burned in that format (useful for backing up files)
    If you select MP3 CD (this is the format of the files on the CD), the files must already be in MP3 format.
    This is the same as a Data CD/DVD except iTunes will use only MP3 files (because many players can play MP3 files).

  • Export songs in mp3 to sd card

    How can I export my Itunes (mac) library to an sd card in mp3 format?
    thank you

    What you want to do won't be pretty but things never are when you try to do things iTunes isn't really designed to do.
    Convert the tracks to mp3 format if they are not already in that format.  If you do convert you will end up with many duplicates in multiple formats.
    iTunes: How to convert a song to a different file format - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1550 - including information about different formats and discussion about compression.
    Topic: Need to convert mp4 to mp3 - Zevoneer's post on converting songs - http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9244740
    Drag the mp3 tracks you select in the iTunes window to the card open in a window in Finder.  If you want these in a folder on that card you may find you cannot drag directly to the folder but will have to drag to the top level first, then move to the folder as a separate step.

  • How to export playlist in mp3 format onto usb using MAC

    I have seen suggestions but using PC itunes and there must be small differences since it does work for me. Two main problems 1) returning back to mp3.  2) exporting  playlist to usb. Thanks for any help!

    There is no way to do what you want in iTunes automatically. However, if the tracks are DRM-free you can change the import settings in iTunes, transcode the tracks (FYI, there may be a noticible loss in audio quality), then copy the tracks to a USB flashdrive.

  • How to export m4a from a sequence in Final Cut Express

    I have a sequence in FCE with multiple audio tracks, no video.
    I want to directly export an m4a.
    The closest options I can see via QT conversion are video: "for iPod" which is .m4v and .movs that have AAC audio option.
    I want the .m4a file extension, just audio.
    Can anyone help?
    thanks,
    Peter

    Export via Quicktime Conversion and choose MPEG-4 as your format.  Once you've exported, manually change the extension from .mp4 to .m4a.  A .m4a file just indicates an audio-only MPEG-4 file (usually encoded in AAC).

  • Some m4a Some mp3?

    I have always set my importing preference to aac format and have 4946 songs in my library.
    I have just searched my hard drive for m4a files and only 1120 show up as this file type.
    The other 3700 or so show up as MPEG Layer 3 Audio files within the same folder????????
    I am also struggling with exclamation marks so maybe this is a clue??
    Itunes is set to organise my music folder??
    Any ideas please its driving me mad?
    Thanks

    I really havnt chaged anything within the preferences that would make a difference to importing. I have changed my library location from time to time but everything is always in the same place together??
    What would you sugest I do now as 75% of my library are mp3's!
    Should I convert the mp3's to aac's or the remaining aac's to mp3's???
    I would like the best music quality for my system and from what I have read if I start converting files then I am going to loose some quality?
    I really used to love Itunes and have recommended it to loads of people but recently its driving me mad??

Maybe you are looking for