iTunes Question

[Phantom Engineer]

I just recently downloaded iTunes. I bought some songs but does anyone how do convert them to WAVE so I can play them elsewhere? I backed them up on CD but I can't open them in Soundforge.
Any iTunes experts here?

[Mr. Atari]

Here's what I would try:

First, back up everything on a disc.

Then, go into iTunes Preferences. Under "Advanced", click on "Importing".

You should be able to change your Importing encoder from mp3 to .wav. Then you can put your disc back in, and have iTunes import the songs from the CD.

(Don't forget to change your preferences back when you want to import mp3s).

Ideally, you could use 2 computers for this. Use one computer for your main iTunes storage. Use the other to convert.

This method uses iTunes against itself, which avoids problems with other software (like Soundforge) not being able to manipulate Apple security.

[Phantom Engineer]

Thanks Mr. Atari. But when I try to import from the back up disc it shows up as the same m4p format that it started as even though I reset the import preferences to WAV.
Isn't there supposed to be some easy way to burn iTunes songs to CD for regular playing?
Why is this crap always so @%$#ing stupid?

[Mr. Atari]

phantomengineer said:

Thanks Mr. Atari. But when I try to import from the back up disc it shows up as the same m4p format that it started as even though I reset the import preferences to WAV.
Isn't there supposed to be some easy way to burn iTunes songs to CD for regular playing?
Why is this crap always so @%$#ing stupid?

Bummer. I thought that would work.

The crap is always so stupid because as cool as Apple stuff is, Steve Jobs is a proprietary monopolist who price-fixes his stuff, puts security tags on songs purchased through iTunes, and basically disallows any creativity outside of his company.

An easy way to burn the songs to a CD for regular playing is to create a playlist, then click "Burn Disc". You can set the preferences for burning (Audio disc, MP3 CD, or Data CD) in the same preferences menu as before.

As for getting the files to .wav, someone else might have a better idea.

[goflyers]

I personally dispise all things Apple/Mac related, especially iTunes. I flow with a PSP. Especially since it's tough to get the songs out of the Apple format. I suggest googling around for a free .m4p to .wav converter. That would be my first instinct.

[Mitchell]

Phantom, the only real way to do this is to burn them to a CD using itunes, then rip them back into a .wav or .mp3 using a ripping program.

.wavs for anything more than a few seconds of audio get to be VERY large. . .better to use the .mp3 format.

It's not so much an issue with iTunes (although it sort-of is) as much as it is with the digital rights management the RIAA demands digital media distributors to include with their distribution packages.

[Phantom Engineer]

mitchell said:

Phantom, the only real way to do this is to burn them to a CD using itunes, then rip them back into a .wav or .mp3 using a ripping program.

I did that, the problem is a ripper that will accept the m4p format. I was reluctant to use iTunes but they do have some exclusive songs.

[[e-mail]]

There are two options I can think of for you. The first is to use a program called CDex (sourceforge.net/projects/cdexos) since you said that the songs were backed up on CD. This freeware program will convert the tracks to either wav or mp3. The drawback is that you must sacrifice a CD to do this but since you already have done that this should be your best bet.

You can also try Audacity (audacity.sourceforge.net/), a freeware audio editor. Set the recording source to Record Master, start recording then play the song. Audacity will record any sound that's going through your sound card. Be careful though because it will also record system beeps, IM alerts, etc. Another drawback is that you have to listen to every song you want to convert from beginning to end. After you finish recording you can export the file as a wav or mp3.

Either one or both of these programs (I can't remember) will require a third party freeware program called LAME (www.free-codecs.com/download/Lame_Encoder.htm) to export mp3s. If you get an error message saying that the program cannot export the song as an mp3 because LAME is not detected just follow the instructions the program gives you to install it and try again.

Jeremy

[yarg]

just go into the settings in itunes and set it so it rips CDs in mp3 format and burns CDs in standard CD format. I've ripped CDs with itunes lots of times.

[Phantom Engineer]

Thanks guys.

[Mitchell]

phantomengineer said:

mitchell said:

Phantom, the only real way to do this is to burn them to a CD using itunes, then rip them back into a .wav or .mp3 using a ripping program.

I did that, the problem is a ripper that will accept the m4p format. I was reluctant to use iTunes but they do have some exclusive songs.

I meant to rip it down to a CD in cd-audio format, not the files themselves.

[Phantom Engineer]

mitchell said:

I meant to rip it down to a CD in cd-audio format, not the files themselves.

That's what I don't know how to do. Although I haven't tried again for a while.

[Mr. Atari]

phantomengineer said:

mitchell said:

I meant to rip it down to a CD in cd-audio format, not the files themselves.

That's what I don't know how to do. Although I haven't tried again for a while.

So are you trying to burn an audio CD of songs you downloaded through iTunes?

If so, just make a new playlist, and drag and drop the songs into that list. Then hit "Burn CD". It should burn them as audio files. Also double check your Preferences for Burning--Audio.

[Phantom Engineer]

sampo said:

So are you trying to burn an audio CD of songs you downloaded through iTunes?

If so, just make a new playlist, and drag and drop the songs into that list. Then hit "Burn CD". It should burn them as audio files. Also double check your Preferences for Burning--Audio.

Thanks Señor, I'll try that.