HT204310: Convert a song to a different file format with iTunes

Learn about Convert a song to a different file format with iTunes
khulse04

Q: Converting music

I'm trying to convert some of my music and I found a page to help me, it said go to file>Create New Version and select what format you want. When I selected multiple songs to convert it only converted the first song. Now when I select the other songs and go to 'Create New Version' all the options are greyed out. How do I get those songs converted?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Jan 14, 2016 10:02 PM

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Q: Converting music

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 14, 2016 10:32 PM in response to khulse04
    Level 8 (38,934 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 14, 2016 10:32 PM in response to khulse04

    The remaining songs may use DRM (copy protection).  Songs purchased from iTunes Store before 2009 used DRM, as required by the major content producers.  This DRM prevents conversion, so the command is disabled (greyed out).

     

    To check, show your song list (or your music library) with the songs you want to convert visible; use Songs view (plain list with columns).  It may be easier to manage, if you create a new playlist and put all of these songs on that playlist.  If you don't see the column for Kind, make it visible (right-click heading row of song list to show/hide columns).  In the Kind column, what does it say for the songs you want to convert.  If it says "Protected AAC audio file," the song uses DRM.

  • by khulse04,

    khulse04 khulse04 Jan 18, 2016 3:46 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 18, 2016 3:46 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    The album I am wanting to convert was bought on iTunes in November 2015. When I look at the song list it has the first song listed as "Purchased AAC audio file" the next song which is the same song says "MPEG audio file". The remainder of the songs that I was trying to convert say "Purchased AAC audio file". Those songs are the ones that the create new version is greyed out on. Thanks for your help.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Jan 18, 2016 3:57 PM in response to khulse04
    Level 7 (24,877 points)
    Jan 18, 2016 3:57 PM in response to khulse04

    Khulse,

    Are you sure that the files are on your computer?  File > Show in Finder to make sure they are.  If they are still in the cloud, you cannot convert them.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 18, 2016 4:00 PM in response to khulse04
    Level 8 (38,934 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 18, 2016 4:00 PM in response to khulse04

    The Purchased AAC audio file song is currently 256 kbps AAC format.  What format are you trying to convert to?