Lossless to MP3?

The Music Library on my iMac is mostly in Apple lossless format. I want to make an MP3 CD of many of these songs. Apples' iTunes apparently can't do this on the fly when I want to burn the playlist. Are there some options deeper in the various menus that would allow this somehow?

Yes, but not in an "on-the-fly" way. You can go to iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > Importing, and change the encoder to MP3 with the desired settings. Then, select all the Apple Lossless songs you want to convert to MP3 and use the File > New Playlist from Selection menu to add the songs to a new playlist for easier management. Now, go to the new playlist and select all the songs in it and use the Advanced > Convert Selection to MP3 menu to convert the files to MP3s you can use for making an MP3 CD. When the conversion is complete, all the Apple Lossless files will still be highlighted. Press the Delete key and follow the prompts to remove them from the playlist (but NOT from the computer). What you'll be left with is a playlist of nothing but the new MP3s. After burning your MP3 CD, if you decide you don't want the MP3s on your computer anymore, just delete the new playlist and all of its contents. Then be sure to go back and change your Importing preferences to Apple Lossless, if that's what you primarily use.
Good luck!

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Managing both Lossless and MP3/AAC versions of the same album

I've recently decided to keep a lossless version of some albums along with their mp3/aac counterparts. I would want to use the lossless version on my Apple TV to which I have a nice audio setup. I would use the mp3/aac version to go to my ipods (touch & nano). I was thinking of just keeping two playlists and selectively syncing to the appropriate device But will there be any collisions since the tags on the lossless and mp3/aac tracks will me the same (same album, same song, etc.) Do I have to modify any of these so they dont conflict? Thanks for your advice in advance!

Thanks for the info. But it looks kinda messy. And you have to have the ipods manually managed. I'm thinking it would be easier to change the album title to "title MP3" to distinguish it from the lossless copy instead of doing all this encoding work. I was hoping there would be a cleaner way to do it.

ITunes 6.0.4 Lossless to MP3 Convert Bad ID3 Tag Bug (Intel Only?)

Hello all,
I usually rip my CDs to Apple Lossless, name it the way I want, include Album Artwork, then switch rip preference to MP3 (224kbps), highlight the lossless files and choose "Convert Selection to MP3" in the Advanced menu. I do this to save the time of having to rip things twice.
Up through 6.0.3 it created proper ID3 tags with the album artwork just fine, but upgrading to 6.0.4 (Intel - I haven't verified this with my G4 Powerbook running 6.0.4) I do my usual process, the information is in the iTunes window, matching the Lossless files, but as soon as I delete the items from iTunes (but not the files themselves) and drag the MP3 files back to iTunes, the tracks show up in iTunes without ANY of the ID3 info, but WITH the album artwork.
The name lists the filename in the Song Name field as if there weren't any ID3 info.
The reason this came up is I rip to one drive, but keep the MP3s on another drive.
Anyone else out there with this problem/can verify this problem?
Thanks!
John V
Intel iMac 20" Mac OS X (10.4.5) 2GB RAM 10.4.5

There have been a lot of recent posts about tags not being updated properly in iTunes, and I am starting to think that it's a bug.
In your case, you might want to consider using Max to rip and encode. You can configure the application to rip your CDs and encode to multiple formats at once, using any of the iTunes encoders plus about twenty others, including LAME MP3. The tag information will remain intact, and the output files can be directly added to your iTunes library if desired.
Also, you may want to try Max's file encoding function for Apple Lossless files you already have stored on your HDD. You can batch encode them to MP3, keeping the tags and album art.

Converting Library from lossless to mp3 need help

I have uploaded my whole library in apple lossless format.
It took up too much space so I converted the whole library to mp3 vbr @192k. The only problem is that I lost all of my lossless files? Can anyone give me advice on keeping two libraries...One lossless and one for the ipod.

Hi Ed,
Normally, when you convert a track in your library it doesn't delete the old one. There is even a function within iTunes for deleting these duplicates. But why would you want to keep a separate library for lossless? You have the CDs, right?
I suppose you could set your iTunes Preferences->Advanced->"iTunes Music folder location" to some other directory and create a lossless library there. Then change it back to the normal directory and create your version w/AAC 192. This will use a lot of disk space.
Good luck!
-dave

Converting from Apple Lossless to MP3: loss of quality?

Hi,
I have made the "mistake" of importing dozens and dozens of CD's using the Apple Lossless encoder. Nothing bad about the encoder, on the contrary. But my iPod is now full.
Is there a way I can convert all these tracks to MP3? Will there be a loss of quality from the re-conversion beside the one inherent to MP3? (since we are not starting from the original CD) And will I have to re-create my playlists?
Mmmhhh... doesn't sound too good, right?
Xavier.

Go to Preferences in iTunes. Then go to advanced and importing. In importing change the import using to MP3 encoder.
Quit out of this menu. On the top tool bar you have Advanced and under here you have convert option. If you select the songs that you want to convert and use this convert option they will go to MP3s

Itunes with Apple Lossless and mp3

I have a Mac mini with iTunes.
How can I configure and the system such that:
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- I still want the same tracks in MP3 (because it takes much less space) and sync those on my iPhone.
Obviously I can have different playlists for the HD tracks and MP3 tracks.
Is there an application that can automatically discover newly imported HD tracks and convert them in MP3?
Is there a way to sync those MP3 (wired and wirelessly) to different iPhone/iPod without having them in iTunes?
Thanks in advance.
Paul

It doesn't do MP3, but iTunes has the abilty to automatically convert higher bit rate tracks, such as ALAC, to 128/192/256 AAC files on sync. There is no reason to keep multiple copies of the same track.
Just connect your iPhone and select it in iTunes. Click the Summary tab and select the option to "convert higher..." then select the bit rate you want.
Or, you can use one the new cloud syncing services such as iTunes Match, Google Music or Amazon Cloud Play. All these services will convert or "match" ALAC files to either 256 AAC/MP3.

How to sync mp3 files to ipod when music stored in lossless

I would like to be able to convert my music collection, 300 GB in lossless, to mp3 to put on my 160 GB ipod. Can this be done and maintain the original file on my mac?

Create MP3 copies of the Apple Lossless songs in iTunes, and transfer only the MP3s to the iPod. You can't convert on the fly when syncing to an iPod other than the iPod shuffle, and the iPod shuffle method produces AACs.
(38290)

Batch Lossless & ACC to 256kbps mp3?

Hello, and TIA for any advice you might be able to provide.
I have iTunes using an external HD for storing all my mixed media. It is labeled iTunes->iTunes Music->Artist->Album->Track.
What I would like to do is batch process files above 256kbps bitrate to 256kbps, and store them new on a different external HD preserving all the original files. Preservation of the original is of utmost importance. This includes ACC, Apple Lossless, and mp3 and have all different bitrates.
First how should I go about doing this? Second, will it butcher any files such as a 320kbps mp3 since it doesn't have the original uncompressed file to work with? And third, should I go with VBR and what settings: Quality, Sample Rate, Smart Encoding, Filter Frequencies Below 10hz.
Thanks, Ian

+Second, will it butcher any files such as a 320kbps mp3 since it doesn't have the original uncompressed file to work with?+
No it will not butcher it. The result will be a 256 mp3, which is fundamentally like a 320 mp3 with some more frequency content removed. Of course, since you don't have the uncompressed original you don't have much choice.
+And third, should I go with VBR and what settings: Quality, Sample Rate, Smart Encoding, Filter Frequencies Below 10hz.+
Most people don't bother with VBR, although you can if you want. And I suggest leave all the others at their defaults. Especially don't touch Sample Rate unless you have some specific reason to.

Can I add a lossless file to my itunes library?

Can i add a lossless music file to my itunes library? Usually what i do is drag the file or folder into music/itunes/itunes media/automatically add to itunes and it works fine, everything shows in my library and plays perfectly. But with this lossless file i drag it into the automatically add to itunes folder and it goes into the folder but doesnt show up in itunes. I think i know that itunes doesn't support lossless files, so can somene tell me how to convert them into apple lossless or MP3s (preferably apple lossless). Please help.

The are a variety of different lossless audio formats, some supported by iTunes, some partially supported and some not at all.
The best lossless audio format to use from an iTunes point of view is Apple Lossless aka. ALAC. iTunes can import (rip) audio CDs using this format. Other lossless formats supported by iTunes include WAV (partially) and AIFF, however these formats use more disk space than Apple Lossless and do not sound any better, and further more do not support meta-tags as well as Apple Lossless.
Another lossless format you may hear of is FLAC, iTunes does not support this format but it can be otherwise considered equivalent to Apple Lossless in file size and capability. You can convert FLAC to Apple Lossless with of course no loss of quality but you will need to use another utility to do the conversion.
There is also WMA Lossless, this is not supported for playing by iTunes but I believe can be imported (only in iTunes for Windows, not Mac).
So, contrary to your message, yes iTunes does support lossless audio files.
For what its worth I have all mine in Apple Lossless and share it with Windows Media Player and Microsoft Media Center which can also play Apple Lossless (with an additional free directshow filter).
Note: Music purchased from the iTunes store will all be in AAC format which is a lossey format.

Can't convert AIFF to MP3

Can’t convert songs in iTunes. I have iTunes 7.02. I’ve followed the process as detailed in iTunes help as well as in a “missing manuals” book.
Here’s what I’ve done to try to change a song from AIFF file to MP3:
1) In iTunes, chose iTunes > Preferences
2) Chose “Advanced”
3) Chose “Importing”
4) Was told to use “Pop-Up” menu to select between: AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless Encoder, MP3, or WAV;
However, there is no “Pop-Up” menu........never has been;
So,
I used the “Import Using” window and scrolled to select MP3
5) Clicked “OK”
6) In an iTunes Playlist, clicked once to highlight the song I wanted to convert from AIFF to MP3
7) Went back to Preferences > Advanced to try and click “Convert Selection to MP3”............. But,
there is no such command in the Advanced, Importing window.
Presumably, after you do that (which I couldn’t) iTunes automatically converts selected song to the format I’ve chosen, plays it through while converting, resulting in a duplicate song, only in MP3 format. The original AIFF song is supposed to remain in the Library.
So why aren’t things happening they way iTunes Help and the book I’m using said they would?
Finally, after changing things in iTunes Preferences, how do I leave "Preferences": for example: should it always be left: Import Using: AIFF Encoder and Setting: Automatic?
My iMac specs should be listed below.
Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

hi nemateoz,
here are some clarifications;
"However, there is no “Pop-Up” menu."
correct, its a drop-down list.
"Went back to Preferences > Advanced to try and click “Convert Selection to MP3"."
no, this option isn't located in the Advanced tab from the iTunes preferences but in the menu "Advanced" of iTunes (as Files, Edit, etc). This may be confusing thaugh.
"The original AIFF song is supposed to remain in the Library."
Correct; files will be duplicated. if you want to sort them easily, right click on any colum title of your library view and select "Genre". this will add a colum showing the file genre (aiff, mp3, etc) so you can sort them.
"So why aren’t things happening they way iTunes Help and the book I’m using said they would?"
i don'T know where you got your information. maybe you just got confused between advanced menu and advanced tab in preferences.
"Finally, after changing things in iTunes Preferences, how do I leave "Preferences": for example: should it always be left: Import Using: AIFF Encoder and Setting: Automatic?"
depends on what you would like. usually, people will convert aiff files to mp3 or m4a directly from CD; i.e. after inserting a CD, by just clicking "Import CD" button on the lower right corner will import/convert files based on your itunes preferences settings.

Lossless format conversion question

Considering that my local computer has a lot of space, and I want my permanent archive of music to be in a lossless format; and considering that I have considerably less space on the iPod, I was wondering why I can't seem to find a way to make iTunes covert the format of the music from Apple Lossless to MP3 when it transfers files to the iPod, to fit more music on the iPod. Even Creative provides this functionality in their hardware and software. Maybe I'm just not seeing the option, but it sure looks to me like this type of functionality is not supported. Can anyone help with this? Does anyone else want this kind of functionality for iTunes and the iPod? Any chance Apple might include this type of functionality (if it doesn't already) in a future version of iTunes. After all, the coversion process is already embedded in the software between the CD and the computer hard drive, just not between the computer and the iPod. Anyway, thanks for any feedback that anyone might provide.

This option is available for the iPod Shuffle only.
Tell Apple here -> http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

Bit rates, file type, MP3 encoders, quality settings etc.

Can someone provide me with or point me to a good explanation of various sound file types and settings and how it relates to sound quality and disk space? I've been importing tunes, recording some streams etc. and I realize I need a definitive source to explain to me how I can get the best sound quality, with all the variables involved: bit rate (64, 96, 128kbps etc.), file type (AIFF, WAV, MPs etc.), MP3 encoder (Apple lossless, AIFF, AAC etc.) Thanks in advance.....

OK. The following is my opinion.
iTunes supports 5 formats. WAV and AIFF are uncompressed and lossless. Apple Lossless Encoding (ALE) is compressed and lossless. MP3 and AAC are compressed and lossy.
WAV, AIFF, and ALE give the same quality as a CD but are too bulky for use in an iPod. The practical choices are MP3 and AAC.
AAC gives better quality for a given bit rate. However, it is not as widely supported as MP3. Many non-Apple players cannot handle AAC. So choose between MP3 and AAC accordingly.
Both AAC and MP3 allow you to select an encoding bit rate, usually in the range of 32 to 320 kb/s. That number affects the audio fidelity of the compressed file as compared with the CD quality original. Given that you will be using a good stereo at least part of the time, I suggest go no lower than 192.
You can do a web search and find listening tests, etc. You can also take a couple of tracks, rip them at 192, 256, and 320, and see if you notice anything better with the higher numbers.
Enjoy the music!

How To convert mp4 to mp3 using itunes 11.1.3.8 for windows

How To convert mp4 to mp3 using itunes 11.1.3.8 for windows

pgyan wrote:
How To convert mp4 to mp3 using itunes 11.1.3.8 for windows
The normal situation would be wanting to convert .m4a (AAC or Apple Lossless) to .mp3 as these are both music file formats. The extension .mp4 is normally for a video file and iTunes itself will only convert music files from one format to another.
For details on how to convert between music formats see http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1550
If you want to convert the audio track of an .mp4 video to a .mp3 file then you are going to need to use a different utility.

Converting mp3 to m4a(AAC)

If I convert mp3 to m4a(AAC) will the quality of the song be better or the same as a mp3? Does converting it really even do anything?

Well, it makes it so those files won't play on anything but an ipod.
I am in the process of converting 5000+ songs from Apple lossless to mp3. What a pain. I wish I'd ripped them as mp3s to begin with.
Anyway - it is personal preference. Convert a song or two and see if you can tell the difference, is my advice.

FLAC vs. MP3 Comparison

I know iTunes doesn't support FLAC, but Apple Lossless is probably similar. I did a comparison that you can read -
http://www.muzicman82.net/2007/09/07/to-flac-or-not-a-lossless-vs-mp3-comparison /

Very interesting post, thanks for sharing. One slight correction: the non-DRM files sold in the iTunes store are 256 k AACs, not mp3s. (However, the non-DRM files that walmart.com has started selling are 256 k mp3s.)
By the way, lossless files are commercially available on a few specialty sites. Check out livedownloads.com (FLAC) and beatport.com (WAV). Whether there will ever be a bigger selection of lossless files for sale is hard to predict.

Lossless to MP3?

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