In iTunes, you can convert music files to different formats, such as AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, each with its own merits. When converting music to any format you choose, iTunes keeps the original version of the file (just in case). This article will tell you how to convert music files in iTunes and the benefits of each music format.
Steps
Step 1. Decide on the format
In iTunes, you can convert music to several of the available formats, and there are many reasons for converting one format to another. Remember that the main parameters of a music file are its size and sound quality. Consider if you need the highest sound quality, or you need the smallest file size to record as many songs as possible on your computer or smartphone, or you need a sweet spot.
- AAC format is an improved version of the MP3 format. This format combines a small file size with high sound quality (compared to MP3). This format is supported by most Apple devices (iPhone, iPod, Mac computers), but not all audio players are capable of playing this format.
- AIFF format combines high quality sound (similar to that of WAV format) with a large file size. In this format, you cannot copy additional information such as song title, artist name, and the like. In iTunes, additional information will be displayed, but in any other audio player, it will not. This format is mainly supported by Apple devices.
- Apple Lossless format combines high quality audio with a slightly smaller file size compared to the AIFF and WAV formats. Please be aware that this format is only supported by Apple devices.
- MP3 format combines a small file size with not very high sound quality. This format is supported by most mobile devices, stationary and software players (such as Windows Media Player, Zune, and so on).
- WAV format combines large file size with high sound quality (similar to AIFF sound quality). WAV files are played by media players supported by Windows and Mac OS operating systems. In this format, you will not be able to copy additional information such as song title, artist name and the like, but in iTunes additional information will be displayed.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
Click Edit - Preferences (Windows) or click iTunes - Preferences (Mac OS). Then go to the Home tab (the tabs are located at the top of the Settings window).
In recent versions of iTunes, the Settings button is a black and white square in the upper left corner of the iTunes window
Step 3. Click on “Import Settings
. "To select the music file format. In the window that opens, you will find the formatting options for any song that you add to your iTunes library. Also in this window you can select the format into which the desired music file will be converted. The final format can be selected in the menu (or section) "Import using". Next, set the parameters of the final music file if you need to get a specific file size or specific sound quality.
- Sound quality is adjusted in the Settings menu. The higher the values that you put in the lines "Kbit / s", "Bitrate", "kHz", the higher the sound quality will be, but also the larger the file size.
- ITunes has several presets such as iTunes Plus (high sound quality, medium file size) and Good quality (medium sound quality, small file size). If you are unable to set the options for the final file, select Automatic or iTunes Plus.
Step 4. Close the "Settings" window
Before that, click "OK" to save the changes made (otherwise, click "Cancel"). Now, any music file you add to your iTunes library will be converted to the format of your choice. But you have yet to convert the music already stored in your iTunes library.
Step 5. Select the songs you want to convert to another format
You can highlight as many songs as you like and they will be converted in one go. In the list, select the first song you want to convert; to do this, just click on it. Then scroll through the list and find the last song you want to convert. Hold down the Shift key and click on the last song; this will highlight the music files between the first and last tracks.
To select songs randomly (rather than next to each other), hold down CTRL (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each song
Step 6. Convert the music already stored in your iTunes library
To do this, right-click on the composition and select the "Create ____ version" option. Instead of a space, the format you selected in the previous steps will appear. For example, if you have selected the AAC format, then the option will be: "Create AAC version". It will take some time to convert the files.
- When converting, you will receive two music files - original and final. You can determine the format of the file by clicking on it and choosing Information.
- When you change the import settings, you can re-convert (to a different format) any composition.
Advice
- Remember that when you convert, you will receive two music files - the original and the final one.
- Better to update iTunes to the latest version. This can be done at iTunes.com
- If you convert a song to a format with poor sound quality, it will sound worse. When you convert a song to a high quality audio format, it will sound the same (no change).