Converting MP3 to Apple Lossless

Question

Level 1

20 points

Converting MP3 to Apple Lossless

I've recently realized I'm very happy with Apple Lossless so I am right clicking MP3's I've created from real CD's, and choosing "convert to Apple lossless".

I am not getting any errors, and it looks like it processes the tracks, but the "kind" always stays as MPEG audio file, and if I drag one to the desktop, it is still an MP3.

I can "convert again" the same files, and it acts as though it never converted them the first time.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Scott

Core 2 Quad Custom Build, Windows Vista

Posted on Apr 25, 2008 1:23 PM

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Answer 1

StarDeb55

Level 6

19,695 points

Apr 25, 2008 1:37 PM in response to thatchman1

First of all, why are you trying to convert a Lossy format (mp3) to a Lossless format, (Apple Lossless). The mp3 files already has had a substantial amount of data removed during the initial compression that can't be put back by converting to Lossless. You would be much better off re-ripping from the CD's, if you still have them.

If you want to convert any file to a different format, you have to change your importing preferences in iTunes to the format you wish to "convert to".

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Answer 2

Apr 25, 2008 1:38 PM in response to thatchman1

There's really no point in converting from .mp3 (a compressed, lossy format) to Apple Lossless. You'll just get bigger, not better files.

That being said, what you need to realize about the convert function in iTunes is that, what it really does, is make a second file in the new format. The original file remains in the original format. So, you should find, in your library, a second version of the song in Apple Lossless.

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Answer 3

Timmy Y

Level 4

3,115 points

Apr 25, 2008 1:39 PM in response to thatchman1

Not sure the point of this, as converting an mp3 to Apple Lossless is not going to up the quality - it will still be of the quality of the original mp3.

But, if you're set on this, understand that it creates a completely new file when you do this. So, you'll have 2 of the same song. One will be mp3, and the other Apple Lossless. You're likely dragging the original. Search for the title and see if there's two. Research by "getting info" on the song from there.

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Apr 25, 2008 1:40 PM in response to thatchman1

1 - Converting a file will create a new copy in iTunes in the new format. The original will be unchanged.

2 - Converting from MP3 (or any lossy format) to Apple Lossless will do nothing except increase the file size 5-10 times. It will not do anything for quality.
If you want Apple lossless reRIP from the original CD.

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Answer 5

Apr 25, 2008 2:27 PM in response to StarDeb55

Great minds think alike? Or fools thoughts never differ? Four almost identical answers in 2 minutes. 😉

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Answer 6

Timmy Y

Level 4

3,115 points

Apr 25, 2008 2:37 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Lol, I was just laughing over this a second ago 🙂 At least we know the it's answered! Haha.

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Answer 7

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Apr 25, 2008 2:40 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Great minds think alike?

That's a stretch, isn't it?
Maybe "minds think greatly alike"?

😉

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Answer 8

thatchman1 Author

Level 1

20 points

Apr 25, 2008 3:01 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks for the reply. For the rest of the folks, given that I was satisfied with MP3's ripped at 320 bitrate, I wasn't looking to increase quality, or anything remotely similar.

The big mishap here is that through some research I thought the lossless format was more accurate yet "smaller" than a 320 bitrate MP3. That's where I went off track. Seeing that it's much larger, that pretty much nullifies anything I was trying to accomplish. 🙂 But thanks to Meg St._Clair for the honest and non-silly response.

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Answer 9

Timmy Y

Level 4

3,115 points

Apr 25, 2008 3:05 PM in response to thatchman1

Even if it were smaller, it won't be more accurate since it's just going to be based on the mp3 you're converting. Would have to re-import from a cd to get the benefits (which do exist).

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Answer 10

Apr 25, 2008 4:43 PM in response to thatchman1

thatchman1 wrote:
The big mishap here is that through some research I thought the lossless format was more accurate yet "smaller" than a 320 bitrate MP3. That's where I went off track. S

Hmm. I think that maybe you're confusing or conflating Apple Lossless with .aac. According to what I've read, a 128 kbps aac sounds better than a 128 mp3. So, if you like 320 mp3s, you might also be happy with 256 aac files, thus getting the same or similar sound quality in a smaller package.

Apple Lossless is certainly more accurate than either .mp3s or .aacs as they are both lossy.

Best of luck.

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Answer 11

StarDeb55

Level 6

19,695 points

Apr 25, 2008 6:09 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Meg is correct. All published information indicates that AAC sounds better at lower bitrates than mp3. For instance, the default import setting in iTunes is AAC@ 128kbps. To get the equivalent audio quality in an mp3 file, you would have to import at 160kbps.

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