bryanfromslidell

Q: How can I convert m4p music files to DRM-FREE?

How can I convert my older m4p music files to DRM-FREE so that I can play them on non apple software (ie.Virtual DJ)?

Posted on Jun 24, 2015 7:14 PM

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Q: How can I convert m4p music files to DRM-FREE?

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  • by roaminggnome,Helpful

    roaminggnome roaminggnome Jun 24, 2015 7:18 PM in response to bryanfromslidell
    Level 10 (97,051 points)
    Jun 24, 2015 7:18 PM in response to bryanfromslidell

    It is not legal to convert DRM protected files to non-DRM files.

     

    All itunes music sold in the past 8 or 9 years is DRM free.

     

    If you have music purchased before  that the you can upgrade:

     

    About iTunes Plus - Apple Support

  • by ed2345,Solvedanswer

    ed2345 ed2345 Jun 24, 2015 7:25 PM in response to bryanfromslidell
    Level 7 (24,801 points)
    Jun 24, 2015 7:25 PM in response to bryanfromslidell

    bryanfromslidell wrote:

     

    How can I convert my older m4p music files to DRM-FREE so that I can play them on non apple software (ie.Virtual DJ)?

     

    You cannot convert them.  But you may wish to burn them to an audio CD, which can be used like any audio CD

  • by bryanfromslidell,

    bryanfromslidell bryanfromslidell Jun 25, 2015 5:10 AM in response to roaminggnome
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 25, 2015 5:10 AM in response to roaminggnome

    Thanks!

  • by bryanfromslidell,

    bryanfromslidell bryanfromslidell Jun 25, 2015 5:11 AM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 25, 2015 5:11 AM in response to ed2345

    Thanks!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 25, 2015 6:34 AM in response to ed2345
    Level 9 (53,926 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 25, 2015 6:34 AM in response to ed2345

    Just don't get fooled into thinking the sound quality is as good as a regular CD. The sound quality will only be as good as the original files (which isn't bad but it isn't standard CD quality).  If you decide to rip and encode this CD you will actually end up with files of lesser quality (because of the encoding process) than the originals even if you encode to the same 256k AAC format they were in originally.  Whether or not you actually hear a difference is another matter but for the audiophile nuts out there...

  • by bryanfromslidell,

    bryanfromslidell bryanfromslidell Jun 25, 2015 9:05 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 25, 2015 9:05 AM in response to Limnos

    Thanks for the heads up. In that case, I may try the suggestion from Roaminggnome and upgrade them through I tunes. Maybe that would be a little better quality. Im no audiophile, but these are 80's club songs so they could use all the help they could get.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 25, 2015 9:14 AM in response to bryanfromslidell
    Level 9 (53,926 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 25, 2015 9:14 AM in response to bryanfromslidell

    The upgrade replacements will be 256k aac DRM-free and in theory be identical in quality to the originals presuming they too were 256k (I don't remember but you can check the specs. on a track you have).  Of course you could rip the CD as lossless to get the same quality as the original aac file, but it will be larger.  Another way to go is to buy the track again. It depends upon how many you have and if it is worth paying a year's subscription for Match. You do get to keep it after that time but make sure you always have your own backup as I don't know if the original purchase gets permanently upgraded one the subscription expires (and I don't know that it doesn't -- somebody else may know, but you want to play it safe).

  • by bryanfromslidell,

    bryanfromslidell bryanfromslidell Jun 25, 2015 10:17 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 25, 2015 10:17 AM in response to Limnos

    I just purchased the I Tunes match and followed the instructions from I tunes on the link that Roaminggnome gave me. I tried 2 of my songs, it seemed like upgraded, but they are still in the m4p format and wont play on my Virtual DJ. It does say that some tracks can be upgraded, so maybe it only works on certain ones. I guess I'll have to try the rip method.