Convert itunes audio format

When converting from a compressed to uncompressed file format (for example, from MP3 to AIFF) you shouldn't notice any reduction in sound quality. However, when converting between compressed formats (for example MP3 and AAC), you may notice a reduction in the sound quality. For the best results, if you want your music encoded in a different file format, you should import the music again from the original source using the new encoding format..

To convert a song's file format:

1. Open iTunes Preferences.
Windows: Choose Edit > Preferences.
Mac: Choose iTunes > Preferences.
2. Click the General button, then click the Importing Settings button in the second section of the window.
3. From the Import Using pop-up menu, choose the encoding format that you want to convert the song to, then click OK to save the settings.
4. Select one or more songs in your library, then from the Advanced menu, choose one of the following (The menu item changes to show what's selected in your Importing preferences):

• Create MP3 version
• Create AAC version
• Create AIFF version
• Create WAV version
• Create Apple Lossless version

If you haven't imported some songs into iTunes yet, you can import and convert them at the same time. This will create a converted copy of the file in your iTunes Library based on your iTunes preferences. To convert all the songs in a folder or on a disk, hold down the Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) and choose Advanced > Convert Import preference setting. The Import preference setting will match what you chose in step 3. iTunes will prompt you for the location of the folder or disk you want to import and convert. All the songs in the folder or on the disk will be converted. Note: Some purchased songs are encoded using a protected AAC format that prevents them from being converted. iTunes Plus purchases are not protected and can be converted.

The song in its original format and the newly converted song appear in your library.

Using iTunes

To convert an MP3 or AAC file1 to AIFF using iTunes, follow these steps:

iTunes 8:

1. Open iTunes.
2. Choose iTunes > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Windows).
3. Click General at the top of the Preferences window.
4. Click Import Settings.
5. From the Import Using menu, choose AIFF Encoder instead of MP3 or AAC encoders.
6. If you are going to use this file in a DV video editing program such as Final Cut Pro or iMovie:
1. From the Setting menu, choose Custom.
2. From the Sample Rate menu, choose 48.000 kHz. This is the standard sample rate for DV.2
3. From the Sample Size menu, choose 16 bit.
4. From the Channels menu choose Stereo (or Mono if your files are monaural).
5. Click OK.
7. Click OK again.
8. If the file you are converting is already in your iTunes library, select the song, then choose Advanced > Create AIFF version. If the file is not in your iTunes library, hold the Option key down (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) while choosing Advanced > Convert to AIFF and then locate the file for the song you want to convert on your hard disk.

When the conversion is finished, the new file appears in the iTunes library under Music. To locate the song on your hard disk, see this document. To continue using compressed songs—with an iPod, for example—be sure to change the encoder back to AAC when you've finished converting files to AIFF.

In iTunes 7 or earlier:

1. Open iTunes.
2. Choose iTunes > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Windows).
3. Click Advanced at the top of the Preferences window.
4. Click the Importing tab.
5. From the Import Using menu, choose AIFF Encoder instead of MP3 or AAC encoders.
6. If you are going to use this file in a DV video editing program such as Final Cut Pro or iMovie:
1. From the Setting menu, choose Custom.
2. From the Sample Rate menu, choose 48.000 kHz. This is the standard sample rate for DV.2
3. From the Sample Size menu, choose 16 bit.
4. From the Channels menu choose Stereo (or Mono if your files are monaural).
5. Click OK.
7. Click OK again.
8. If the file you are converting is already in your iTunes library, select the song, then choose Advanced > Convert Selection to AIFF. If the file is not in your iTunes library, hold the Option key down (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) while choosing Advanced > Convert Selection to AIFF and then locate the file for the song you want to convert on your hard disk.

When the conversion is finished, the new file appears in the iTunes library under Music. To locate the song on your hard disk, see this document. To continue using compressed songs—with an iPod, for example—be sure to change the encoder back to AAC when you've finished converting files to AIFF

Using QuickTime Player

You will need QuickTime Pro to complete these steps. To convert an MP3 or AAC file to AIFF using QuickTime Pro, follow these steps:

1. Locate the MP3 or AAC audio file in the Finder or Windows Explorer. If the song is in iTunes, select the song and choose File > Show in Finder (Mac) or File > Show in Windows Explorer (Windows). AAC song files have a filename extension of .m4a.
2. Drag the song file onto the QuickTime Player application icon. You can also open QuickTime and chose File > Open File and then find and select the song you want to use.
3. Choose File > Export.
4. In the Save dialog, navigate to the folder you would like to save the new file in.
5. From the Export pop-up menu, choose Sound to AIFF.
6. From the Use pop-up menu, choose Default Settings. Note: For advanced users, you can use the Options buttons to set more advanced settings.
7. Click the Save button.