Apple Music converting my Music files to limit play on 3rd party software

Question

Level 1

43 points

Apple Music converting my Music files to limit play on 3rd party software

Why has Apple converted my personal files into Apple MPEG4-Audio files, and limited my permission to use them on another device? Let me be clear - these are files I OWN that I added to my Music Library on my MacBook Pro; NOT purchased from iTunes Store, and, I am NOT a member of Apple's streaming Music App. (which I have read operates that way). These are files I have either ripped from CD's that I OWN, or made with Garage Band and shared with Music, or have Converted to an MPEG from an AAC or AIFF file. Now, when I try to play them on a MacBook Air running Monterrey, with a 3rd party DJ software (that states it will not play songs from any streaming service) I get a "Preferences-Permissions" notice. I am using Catalina and MUSIC 1.0.6.10 on my MacBook Pro, while using a newer version of MUSIC and Monterrey on the MacBook Air.

I can re-convert them back, but there are at least 50, and what is my guarantee this will not happen again? One more fact, many of these files I had relocated between MUSIC file folders (linked to MUSIC) by changing Folder names in Music Browser for Artist and Album for organizational purposes.

A bit outrageous that Apple wants to control content that I personally own?

MacBook Air

Posted on May 11, 2022 1:36 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

274,430 points

May 11, 2022 1:51 PM in response to Al_Chance

Are these tracks that you purchased from the iTunes Store? These may have, or appear to have, DRM applied in transit which isn't removed correctly after download. Deleting the copies you have and redownloading usually resolves.

Have you ever had a subscription to the Apple Music service? When first launched this could deliver DRM laden copies of your own matched/uploaded tracks to other computers or devices, or the original library if you decided to remove local media to free up space. In contrast iTunes Match gave DRM free copies, and for a while users might have needed both services to avoid accidently ending up with locked copied. That policy has since changed, but if you had legacy content in your library it could still be a possibility.

I cannot think of another mechanism that would cause you to end up with files in a different format than that which was originally added to the library, particularly one including DRM protection.

tt2

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Answer 2

Al_Chance Author

Level 1

43 points

May 12, 2022 6:18 AM in response to turingtest2

My initial conclusion that the changed files do not play on the new MAC was based on a fault - too small a sample. When I tested a larger number of these files, they Play fine in MUSIC 1.2.3.56 on the new Monterrey MAC. The few that do not I will write off to corruption.

This is now more of an intellectual issue, than a practical one. I am still concerned about why and how a file with a unique name, created by me with Garage Band, or added from a CD I own would have it's extension changed to Apple MPEG 4 audio, when it was previously an AAC, AIFF or MP3 file.

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Answer 3

Al_Chance Author

Level 1

43 points

May 12, 2022 7:36 AM in response to turingtest2

Types of music files on my Mac Pro MUSIC (and related File Folder storage type):

AAC (Apple MPEG-4)

AIFF (AIFF-C )

MPEG (MP3)

Protected AAC (do not appear in Folders)

Purchased (Apple MPEG-4)

WAV (not found)

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

274,430 points

May 12, 2022 9:05 AM in response to Al_Chance

I meant specifically the file extensions/formats that you think have changed? Have they really? AAC=.m4a=MPEG 4 Audio.

tt2

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

274,430 points

May 11, 2022 4:29 PM in response to Al_Chance

Yes. It certainly is. I suppose it could actually be a permissions issue. Try Repair security permissions for iTunes/Mac for Mac - Apple Community just in case.

tt2

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Answer 6

Al_Chance Author

Level 1

43 points

May 11, 2022 4:05 PM in response to turingtest2

Fine details sometimes get lost in total details: I created these files or added them in from CD's I own. I NEVER downloaded them from an Apple service.

It's a head scratcher?

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