mp3 files that won't convert to AIFF

Question

mp3 files that won't convert to AIFF

I recently purchased some backing tracks (kareoke) as mp3 file downloads and tried to use them in a Logic Express 7.0 project. I opened an audio window and tried to "add audio file". It allowed me to select the file but when I clicked "Done" it would not appear in the audio window and therefore I could not "add it" to the arrange window. I've tried everything I can to "pre-convert" the file in iTunes, unlock the file, etc. but it doesn't appear in the audio window. The "Get Info" says it is an .mp3 file generated with v2.3 as joint stereo. Can anyone out there help me? I thought it was automatically supposed to convert to AIFF and appear in the Audio Window...

Many thanks in advance,

Bruce

Mac G4, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Jun 21, 2009 10:06 PM

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Answer 1

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 25, 2009 5:27 AM in response to Caramby

Your MP3 is not DRM protected, & I was able to import it into Logic without any trouble at all & perform all kinds of wacky operations on it. So we've been on a bit of a wild goose chase; let's get back to the original question…

+"I opened an audio window and tried to "add audio file". It allowed me to select the file but when I clicked "Done" it would not appear in the audio window and therefore I could not "add it" to the arrange window. I thought it was automatically supposed to convert to AIFF and appear in the Audio Window..."+

The easiest way to get an MP3 into Logic is simply to drag it into the Arrange Window.

• Start a new Project from a suitable Template
• Check that in +Preferences > Audio > Devices > Core Audio+ you have +Universal Track Mode+ switched on. (Shouldn't make any difference, but keeps things simple!)
• Make sure there is at least one Audio Track present (create one if necessary).
• Locate your MP3 in the Finder &
• …drag it into the Arrange Window.

What should happen is you should see a little 'tool-tip' telling you where it will go if you let go… & when yo do let go, you should see a new Audio Region (which is your MP3). Hopefully, there will be a format conversion on the way in, but if not we can take care of that later.

LMK exactly what happens if you're not successful.

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Answer 2

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 22, 2009 3:16 AM in response to neophyte112358

Unfortunately, you can't convert DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected MP3s. I would guess that even though these tracks are Karaoke, the supplier has protected them.

You can still use them to a certain extent by leaving them as MP3s, but you won't be able to do much apart from just play them as part of an arrangement. If you just want to add extra vocals (etc.), that would be fine; but editing the file in any way is out.

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Answer 3

Jun 22, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Caramby

Thanks so much for your thoughts - how can I tell if they are Digital Rights Protected or whether it is something else? I managed to get the iTunes program to convert them into some other iTunes format but they still wouldn't "load" - all I'm trying to do is put them in the arrange window so I can add my own vocals - is there a way to do this without converting them to AIFF - the manual I have implied that you have to convert them first - even just to load them (which so far seems to be the case...) thanks again for your time and help,

Bruce

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Answer 4

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 22, 2009 12:59 PM in response to neophyte112358

If they're DRM tracks, then converting them won't help. Many tracks available from iTunes are DRM protected (particularly older ones). Where did you get them from? If from iTunes, find them there again & see if they are "iTunes Plus" ( marked with a + ) — if not, then most likely they are protected.

You say you want to add your own vocals; why not just record your vocals on another Track? Just place the songs on a stereo Track, & record your vocals on a different Track. You will still be able to mix & everything.

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Answer 5

Jun 22, 2009 1:47 PM in response to Caramby

Thanks again for your time - I purchased them from an online kareoke site, notiTunes. Is there another way to check the file itself (i.e. some sort of "Get Info"?) I'd beperfectly happy to just place them on one stereo track,but how do you do that other "Add Track"? Sorry, but I am a"neophyte" to all this - thanks again for all your help,

Bruce

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Answer 6

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 22, 2009 4:23 PM in response to neophyte112358

Well, "Get Info" is certainly a good place to start, & if that doesn't tell you then drop them in iTunes & "Get Info" in there.

As regards the "adding a Track" issue, assuming you have already got a Track with the Karaoke MP3 on it (if not, you can import it into the Audio Bin — or even try dragging it into the Arrange Window), then adding a vocal track is very easy — & is covered in the Manual & the 'Getting Started' manual.

1 • Create a new Audio Track
2 • Select it & Arm it (Red button)
3 • Press Record

Again, I'm assuming you have a mic plugged into an audio interface which is correctly set up… or maybe you're using the built-in mic… I hope not…

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Answer 7

Jun 22, 2009 7:50 PM in response to Caramby

Thanks again for your suggestions - in iTunes it simply says "mp3" for file type and under encoding method it says "unknown" - is that an indication of the protection you are referring to? Otherwise under "Get Info"it says I have read write permission and I can "unlock" the file - but none of this matters. Does this have anything to do with its possibly being a kareoke file with "lyrics" etc? (I don't normally do "kareoke" but these tracks seemed like a good place to start - I just worry that there is some "magic format" that allows the lyrics to pop up on the screen and that's what's confusing LE 7.0 - so if there is a way to get rid of that...the track plays beautifully in iTunes...)

As for "dragging and dropping" directly into the "Audio window" (bin?) or onto an audio track, when I've tried this it says: "What type of file is this?" and offers me only an "abort" button, so it appears I can neither convert it through "importing into the Audio Window" nor simply placing in the arrange window or Audio Window - I couldn't find anything like "audio bin" or import into "audio bin" - I'd appreciate any other thoughts you have on what might be going on...I guess if push comes to shove, I could play the file in real time on another CD player (?) and simply record it into an audio file but that seems "painful" and inefficient - but let me know what you think - again your help is much appreciated -

Best regards,

Bruce

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Answer 8

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 23, 2009 2:57 AM in response to neophyte112358

You raise some intriguing issues.
If Logic asks what type of file it is, then it can't import it — full stop.

But — what type of file is it?

I've never heard of an MP3 that includes lyrics (SMFs, yes, but you have already confirmed that this is an MP3). You say it plays beautifully in iTunes — so do you actually get to see any lyrics?

+"I just worry that there is some "magic format" that allows the lyrics to pop up on the screen and that's what's confusing LE 7.0"+

Me too!

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Answer 9

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 23, 2009 3:02 AM in response to neophyte112358

Okay, a bit more research. Apparently you can save lyrics as a tag in an MP3.
I have to wonder about this, though…

For now, are you sure this is an MP3 just because it says so? The Karaoke files I've most often encountered have been SMFs (Standard MIDI Files).

I suggest this: copy one, & change the filetype suffix from .mp3 to .kar or .mid — then see if you can open it in Logic. If you can, then it wasn't an MP3 at all!

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Answer 10

Jun 23, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Caramby

Thanks again for your continued support - Well I tried changing the file extension and now not only will Logic not see them but Quicktime won't recognize them either. The "Get Info" clearly says they are mp3 files - encoded v2.3 but when they are "added to the Audio Window" under file type/info it only gives dashes (---). I don't know for a fact that there are lyric files associated with these tracks but I've attached the url below in case you can figure out anything - I've already written to the company asking for help apropo the problem but so far no response -

http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/4959355-simon-and-garfunkel

Thanks again for sticking with me and my silly problem -

Best regards,

Bruce

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Answer 11

Jun 23, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Caramby

One last thought - I went to their web site again and found this:

High quality MP3 sound file for use in all media for Mac, Windows and Linux!

Does that perhaps explain the nature of the file?

Thanks againfor your time,

Bruce

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Answer 12

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 23, 2009 12:03 PM in response to neophyte112358

Yes, it does. I hope you didn't misunderstand me — I wasn't saying these were +definitely not+ MP3s, just that it might be worth experimenting with the extension on the off-chance that they had been wrongly typed. I didn't expect it to work, & the fact that with the wrong extension they still don't work is even less surprising. If you didn't change the extension only on copies, as I suggested, then you will need to change them back to .MP3. (None of that changing back-&-forth will do any harm, of course.)

I'll visit that link now… back in a minute…

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Answer 13

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 23, 2009 12:23 PM in response to neophyte112358

…Okay — I'm back. I'm afraid that explains nothing. The website is really just a host, & there is very little info either about or provided by the shops using the site. So these are just very likely to be DRM protected MP3s, & there's nothing you can do about that except email the Seller & ask them… er… well, why.

There is a question of "fit for use" here.

From your point of view, to move on there are two ways to go. You could email me one file (just one, please!), but all that will happen is I will say, "Yep! They're DRM!". The other way is to use an utility such as WireTap Pro to record the audio when you play the files in iTunes. Then of course you can import the WireTap audio into Logic. But even though WireTap Pro is pretty cheap (good, though), it means additional expense for you.

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Answer 14

Jun 23, 2009 1:44 PM in response to Caramby

I'd be happy to e mail you a file for "your dancing and dining pleasure" but I need an E mail address don't I? I can't just attach it to this posting can I?

Thanks again for your very generous help,

Bruce

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Answer 15

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 23, 2009 2:41 PM in response to neophyte112358

No indeed, but it's a bit complex. I suggest you contact me via [Triplica|http://www.triplica.com/cont.php] — then I'll reply to your address & you can attach the file. Oh, & send it as an archive, please; that's always safest.

As I say, it will probably just be bad news, but it's worth a shot.

🙂

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