How to: Convert iTunes Tracks to a MP3 File

Post Views: 227

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

When you download a song from iTunes, the file is a m4a file. The file is a high quality audio file that ensures the song sounds great in iTunes or your iPod.

But what if you do not have an iPod but some other audio player that only plays MP3 files? Fortunately, their is a conversion utility in iTunes that will convert that m4a file to a MP3 file with ease.

First, you have to know the types of formats MP3 files their are, and what you may want to convert that song too. Keep in mind that the higher quality you convert the song to (called its Bit Rate), the better the song will sound. However, some MP3 players can only play at a certain Bit Rate, so please check the directions for your MP3 player.

The Bit Rates are:

128 – Good Quality Music.
160 – Higher Quality Music.
256 – Highest Quality Music.

As you will see later, you should remember these when you go to convert the actual file(s).

Okay, now that’s out of the way – let’s get down to business.

1. Open iTunes.
2. Select iTunes > Preferences.
3. Make sure the General option is selected.
4. Towards the bottom of the window is an option that says: WHEN YOU INSERT A CD.
5. Press the “IMPORT SETTINGS….” Button.
6. From the “IMPORT USING” drop down box, select MP3 ENCODER.
7. Now choose the Settings you wish to encode the MP3 in.
8. When that’s done, click OK twice.

Now, comes the converting part:

1. Select the song(s) you wish to convert to MP3.
2. Select ADVANCED > CREATE MP3 VERSION.
3. Wait until the conversion process completes.
5. Now you should see two versions of the same song.

After that, you have to obtain the MP3 file. This can be done by going in to Finder:

MUSIC > ITUNES > ITUNES MEDIA > MUSIC > BAND NAME

Now, their is one more step. Sometimes, when iTunes converts the file, it will put a numeric number in front of the song’s name, like so:

01SoungsName.mp3

You may want to rename the file so the file shows correctly if the MP3 player shows the name of the song while it’s being played.