Want to convert .aiff files (8 cds) to .aac format without duplicating

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Level 1

46 points

Want to convert .aiff files (8 cds) to .aac format without duplicating

I ripped an 8=cd set to .aiff and added these to my iTunes library, but forgot how large it is on my iPad. Is there a way to create a "mirror" of the 8 cd set in .aac format? If I convert tunes per cd, I end up with duplicates in that folder (1., 1., 2., 2.). I'd ideally like one .aiff version of the set and one in .aac. I'd relabel them accordingly, and also sync accordingly.

If that's too hard I would be happy with just substittuting the .aiff files with .aac ones. Not sure that is possible.

I imagine I could copy the files to an x-drive, delete what i have in the iTunes folder, and then reimport as .aac. Perhaps that's easiest?

Thanks.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.1), iPhone 5, iPad 3

Posted on Dec 19, 2013 1:10 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 19, 2013 2:28 PM in response to jinet

Hi jinet,

I'm not 100% sure but this may help you > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1550

I think that your imagination may well be on target, however, as I assume you don't have access to the original 8.

Rock On

mm~

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Answer 2

jinet Author

Level 1

46 points

Dec 19, 2013 3:12 PM in response to Michael Murphy3

Not what I prefer to do. Ideally it would be to have one version of the 8 cds in AIFF and another labelled differently and in AAC.

The best I have found is here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1746558?answerId=8258383022#8258383022, ie to use smart playlists, convert everything to aac, keep both sets, but restrict which ones go onto the ipad (AAC there, not AIFF).

This is ok, but messy in one way: my music library shows one CD with duplicates of each track, each in a diff. sample rate. So, playing them via iTunes becomes more complicated. Not happy with this solution.

I don't have the original cds here at the office, only the files in AIFF. There seems to be no good way to import the files AS aac; when you add them, they come out in aiff.

THere must be a way so that you can listen to either format as you like all from one library.

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

194,733 points

Dec 19, 2013 10:02 PM in response to jinet

This is ok, but messy in one way: my music library shows one CD with duplicates of each track, each in a diff. sample rate. So, playing them via iTunes becomes more complicated. Not happy with this solution.

You could change the tags for the aiff versions of your songs - for example rename the "album" or the "sort album" tag in the "get Info" panel. If you append "AIFF" or "aac" to the album names, you will have appear the CDs as two separate albums in your library.

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Answer 4

jinet Author

Level 1

46 points

Dec 20, 2013 10:35 AM in response to léonie

Is there anyway to import files in AIFF and have them convert to AAC as they enter the music library (as in a cd import)? Or are there only two options: import (CDs) / add (files)? tagging might work, will investigate. thanks.

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Answer 5

Limnos

Level 10

411,175 points

Dec 20, 2013 10:46 AM in response to jinet

Convert with a third party ripper such as free XLD which will rip to multiple formats in one go. Split the files to folders according to type, then add each folder to different playlists in iTunes. I never use iTunes for ripping CDs.

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Answer 6

léonie

Level 10

194,733 points

Dec 20, 2013 10:49 AM in response to jinet

Is there anyway to import files in AIFF and have them convert to AAC as they enter the music library (as in a cd import)?

.aiff fles will import as aiff, independent of the import settings for a CD, but you could convert them directly after importing, by selecting the imported files and using the command "File > Create new version > Create .aac version" (create aac version will be availabble, if you have set the CD import options to aac).

After converting you can delete the imported .aiff files.

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Answer 7

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 20, 2013 10:56 AM in response to jinet

jinet wrote:

Is there anyway to import files in AIFF and have them convert to AAC as they enter the music library (as in a cd import)?

Yes, very easily.

Make sure your Import settings are set to AAC.

Then hold Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows)

Then File > Create new version > Convert AAC and select the songs you want to add to iTunes in AAC.

This adds to iTunes in AAC. The AIFF versions do not get added to iTunes.

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Answer 8

Dec 20, 2013 12:05 PM in response to Chris CA

Works like a charm Chris. As you noted; one sets the Import Settings (found in iTunes Prefs > General> Import Using: AAC Encoder [in this scenario]).

Then by simply 1) selecting the file you wish & 2) Under File > Create New Version will either Create AAC Version or by using Option Key > Convert to AAC. Awesome!

Thanks for your guidance 🙂

mm~

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Answer 9

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 20, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Michael Murphy3

Glad you go it sorted.

Then by simply 1) selecting the file you wish & 2) Under File > Create New Version will either Create AAC Version or by using Option Key > Convert to AAC. Awesome!

To be clear, you don't first select something then hold Option.

Hold Option, then File > Create new version > Convert to AAC and then you select files.

When not holding Option you need to first select files already iTunes.

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Answer 10

Dec 20, 2013 2:41 PM in response to Chris CA

Ahhh, I see; that way you get a "Convert" window that you can select from.

You have a mind like a steel trap.

I know you know what that means but for those who don't > http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/have+a+mind+like+a+steel+trap

Cheers

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Answer 11

jinet Author

Level 1

46 points

Dec 20, 2013 3:18 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks. Moving the aiff files outside of the itunes music folder avoids duplications within an album folder (the one outside in my case consists of .aiff's, the one inside, produced by the conversion and referenced by iTunes, contains the .aac's.

Very helpful.

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Answer 12

jinet Author

Level 1

46 points

Sep 9, 2016 10:22 PM in response to Chris CA

Something has happened to iTunes since I last wrote. Now, when I import .aiff's into iTunes they no longer come tagged. They are simply numbered files with no information about anything.

I haven't been using iTunes for a while so I may be forgetting a step. Even if I convert to AAC with XLD before importing I get untagged files.

Is there a way to import from .aiff (or AAC) and have the songs get tagged (and organize themselves into albums)?

Thanks very much.

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Answer 13

jinet Author

Level 1

46 points

Sep 10, 2016 2:21 PM in response to jinet

One more thing I forgot to say. using the option File Convert method only seems to work if the file is ALREADY in the iTunes library. Mine are on another disk. Not that it matters, since conversion is not working in any case. But I may be doing something entirely wrong.

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Answer 14

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Sep 10, 2016 10:26 AM in response to jinet

jinet wrote:

Something has happened to iTunes since I last wrote. Now, when I import .aiff's into iTunes they no longer come tagged. They are simply numbered files with no information about anything.

It hasn’t changed. The files need to be tagged before you import them. iTunes won’t add anything (unless you RIP from CD)

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Answer 15

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Sep 10, 2016 2:21 PM in response to jinet

jinet wrote:

One more thing I forgot to say. using the option File Convert method only seems to work if the file is ALREADY in the iTunes library.

Nope.

Holding Option then File > Convert to… opens a file select window and lets you select files anywhere.

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