Robert Evatt

Q: Converting to lower bitrate broke my music, help!

So, I used the iTunes option to convert higher bitrate music to a lower bitrate. Unfortunately, the end result was to overlay many of my songs with audio glitches -- think an 80s hip-hop record scratch, only done by robots. Is there any way to fix it? Or at least convert my music back? I'm on Windows 10 if it helps.

one of those PC thingies, Windows XP

Posted on Sep 9, 2016 5:16 PM

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Q: Converting to lower bitrate broke my music, help!

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  • by Rysz,Apple recommended

    Rysz Rysz Sep 9, 2016 5:22 PM in response to Robert Evatt
    Level 7 (20,242 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 9, 2016 5:22 PM in response to Robert Evatt

    Unless you did something in addition to just converting it, the new version should have been saved in iTunes in addition, not instead, of the original version.

     

    If you deleted the originals you have two options:

    - recover them from a backup, or

    - redownload your purchases for free, if you bought them.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Sep 10, 2016 4:54 PM in response to Robert Evatt
    Level 7 (24,709 points)
    Sep 10, 2016 4:54 PM in response to Robert Evatt

    After you recover your originals as suggested by Rysz, and are ready to start over, do not convert lower than 128 kbps.  iTunes can convert to much lower rates than that, but they should really only be used for spoken word recordings, not for music.