CaptRich

Q: Converting Purchased AAC files to mp3

Hi there - just recently I have noticed that when I convert a Purchased AAC file to mp3 the mp3 file will revert to being an AAC file when i put it in a playlist. This problem has only started recently.  Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have a solution?

iPhone 4

Posted on May 20, 2016 2:22 PM

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Q: Converting Purchased AAC files to mp3

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  • by hhgttg27,Helpful

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 May 22, 2016 12:52 AM in response to CaptRich
    Level 5 (5,420 points)
    iTunes
    May 22, 2016 12:52 AM in response to CaptRich

    I can't reproduce this - when I convert a Purchased AAC to MP3 I see both versions in my library:

    mp3 conversion.jpg

    If I then add the MP3 version to a playlist it stays as MP3:

    mp3 conversion 2.jpg

    My best guess is that you're actually adding the original AAC track and not the MP3 version - are you working in a playlist when you perform the conversion?  If so, note that only the original track is associated with the playlist, the converted one can only be located in your library.

     

    I have to ask - if you want your media in MP3 format why not purchase it from retailers that deliver this, rather than having to go through a conversion process that inevitably leads to quality loss?

  • by CaptRich,Helpful

    CaptRich CaptRich May 22, 2016 12:55 AM in response to hhgttg27
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    May 22, 2016 12:55 AM in response to hhgttg27

    Thank you for your helpful reply. 

     

    I had not realised that I could purchase music from ITunes Store and select the format they are delivered in.  I always thought they cd only be delivered in AAC Purchased format. I would like to know how I change the settings so purchased music arrives in MP3 format.

     

    Thank you

  • by CHIPPE,

    CHIPPE CHIPPE May 22, 2016 5:31 AM in response to CaptRich
    Level 1 (84 points)
    May 22, 2016 5:31 AM in response to CaptRich

    You can't specify the file format when purchasing from iTunes.  What hhgttg27 was saying is that if you want your music in MP3 format, you can purchase it from other online sellers that sell their music in MP3 format, such as Amazon MP3.

  • by CaptRich,

    CaptRich CaptRich May 22, 2016 5:39 AM in response to CHIPPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    May 22, 2016 5:39 AM in response to CHIPPE

    Ok - I didnt think so - that makes sense now.  Thank you

  • by John Lockwood,Apple recommended

    John Lockwood John Lockwood May 23, 2016 5:14 AM in response to CaptRich
    Level 6 (9,324 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    May 23, 2016 5:14 AM in response to CaptRich

    Music sold on the iTunes Store has not been protected by DRM for many years now and has always been only available in the AAC format. The iTunes app has the ability to convert music from one format to another e.g. from AAC to MP3. To convert format in iTunes see Convert a song to a different file format with iTunes - Apple Support

     

    iTunes will leave the original format in the iTunes library and add the new converted format, as a result and as hhgttg27 was demonstrating you will end up with both versions listed. iTunes also helpfully converts the meta-tag information. You can go to the View menu and enable an additional column which will show which format a track is in, or you can select a track and then right-click and select Get Info.

     

    These days there is very little reason to convert to MP3 format. Windows has supported AAC format for a number of years, obviously all Apple devices i.e. iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV support AAC but so do many other devices and programs.