ace4cruisin

Q: m4a to mp3

Hi, I am trying to follow these {Click here and follow the instructions} directions but, when I plug my mp3 player, the "edit" section under preferences is not highlighted for me to click on it and convert my files from m4a to mp3. Can you please help me out? Could be I am doing something wrong?

 

I am using windows 10

 

Thanks in advance,

ace

Phillips Gogear, Windows 10

Posted on Mar 11, 2016 8:44 AM

Close

Q: m4a to mp3

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by javaliga,Apple recommended

    javaliga javaliga Mar 11, 2016 9:04 AM in response to ace4cruisin
    Level 4 (3,569 points)
    iCloud
    Mar 11, 2016 9:04 AM in response to ace4cruisin
  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 11, 2016 9:48 AM in response to ace4cruisin
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 9:48 AM in response to ace4cruisin

    when I plug my mp3 player, the "edit" section under preferences is not highlighted for me to click on it and convert my files from m4a to mp3. Can you please help me out? Could be I am doing something wrong?

     

    I am using windows 10

     

    Thanks in advance,

    ace

    Ace,

     

    Put the player aside for the moment. Go into iTunes and create MP3 versions of the files you need using the document linked by Javaliga.

     

    Note that the creation process ends up with both the .m4a original and the new MP3, so make sure you know which ones are the MP3s.  Then use those for your player.

  • by ace4cruisin,

    ace4cruisin ace4cruisin Mar 11, 2016 11:20 AM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 11:20 AM in response to ed2345

    Sorry for my ignorance, but where can I find the "preferences", Is it in my music when I go to I tunes . com, I don't see it?

     

    PS I put the player aside as you mentioned.

     

    Again, Thanks,

    Ace

  • by javaliga,

    javaliga javaliga Mar 11, 2016 12:10 PM in response to ace4cruisin
    Level 4 (3,569 points)
    iCloud
    Mar 11, 2016 12:10 PM in response to ace4cruisin

    The link I gave you above shows you EXACTLY how to do this step-by-step.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 11, 2016 12:17 PM in response to ace4cruisin
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 12:17 PM in response to ace4cruisin

    ace4cruisin wrote:

     

    Sorry for my ignorance, but where can I find the "preferences", Is it in my music when I go to I tunes . com, I don't see it?

     

    PS I put the player aside as you mentioned.

     

    Again, Thanks,

    Ace

     

    Ace,  In your iTunes application, Preferences is under the Edit menu as pictured below.

     

    Edit is on the menu bar (File, Edit, View, etc.)  If you don't have an iTunes menu bar, enable it by holding the CTRL key while you press B.

    edit - preferences 12.3.png

  • by ace4cruisin,

    ace4cruisin ace4cruisin Mar 11, 2016 1:22 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 1:22 PM in response to ed2345

    Thanks Ed, Java... I did it. The problem was it wasn't showing me the menu bar.

     

    Thanks again,

    Ace

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 11, 2016 4:34 PM in response to ace4cruisin
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 4:34 PM in response to ace4cruisin

    ace4cruisin wrote:

     

    Thanks Ed, Java... I did it. The problem was it wasn't showing me the menu bar.

     

    Thanks again,

    Ace

    Ace,

    Glad it worked out.

     

    For future reference, if you need MP3s for your player, you should keep your library in MP3 format.  Going forward, make sure that all music you purchase, rip, or otherwise acquire is in MP3 format.  MP3 works fine in iTunes and avoids compatibility problems with non-Apple devices.

  • by Limonsance,

    Limonsance Limonsance Mar 14, 2016 7:40 PM in response to ace4cruisin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 14, 2016 7:40 PM in response to ace4cruisin

    I didn't really like any of these solutions so I put together a simple one liner using ffmpeg that will convert the files.

    This one will recursively convert all files in sub directories:

    find . -type d | while read -r dir; do  pushd "$dir";for f in *.wma; do ffmpeg -y -i "$f" -c:a libfdk_aac -b:a 192k "${f%.wma}.m4a";done;ls;popd; done;

     

    And this one can do just one directory by running it in the directory you need

    for f in *.wma; do ffmpeg -y -i "$f" -c:a libfdk_aac -b:a 192k "${f%.wma}.m4a"; done;

     

    ffmpeg is pretty easy to install:

    http://www.renevolution.com/how-to-install-ffmpeg-on-mac-os-x/

     

    And more details on the conversion process here:

    http://sinclairediatech.com/converting-wma-to-high-quality-m4a-audio/

  • by Animaterra,

    Animaterra Animaterra Jun 17, 2016 2:46 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 17, 2016 2:46 PM in response to ed2345

    I have MP3 checked in my General Preferences, but the files are all in M4A format.

    Your instructions are not helpful, because under "File" there is no "create new version."

     

    iTunes is getting more unwieldy and less user friendly. Seriously considering switching to a Windows computer.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Jun 17, 2016 4:40 PM in response to Animaterra
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Jun 17, 2016 4:40 PM in response to Animaterra

    Animaterra wrote:

     

    I have MP3 checked in my General Preferences, but the files are all in M4A format..

    Checking a Preference does not convert any files.

     

    Your instructions are not helpful, because under "File" there is no "create new version."

    In iTunes 12.4.1, Use File > Convert, and that brings up a sub-menu.

  • by Animaterra,

    Animaterra Animaterra Jun 17, 2016 4:44 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 17, 2016 4:44 PM in response to ed2345

    Thanks. It's a shame it's gotten so complicated.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Jun 17, 2016 4:57 PM in response to Animaterra
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Jun 17, 2016 4:57 PM in response to Animaterra

    Animaterra wrote:

     

    Thanks.

    Animaterra,

    You are welcome.

    Ed