On iTunes ripping and file types--Ask the Editors
Q: I have yet to really build a music file online. I have dabbled with Napster and iTunes, but really don't have much of a collection. I would like to begin ripping music CDs to my computer. It is confusing, but from what I have read it appears I should rip my music up in MP3 format, which would make it very versatile for different uses. I have several music players (an iPod Touch, a Nano and a Creative Zen V Plus for the gym). I do like iTunes and probably would download less than 75 songs a year. Is there a way to purchase iTunes Plus songs in MP3 format? Do you have any other suggestions for me? -- Jim, via e-mail
A: It sounds like you're pretty happy with iTunes (and it's a pretty simple program to use), so I'm going to provide you with some basic instructions that center around that jukebox. First, since you're using a variety of players (one of which doesn't support AAC), it's going to be easiest if you rip CDs and purchase music in MP3 format. The default for iTunes is to rip CDs to AAC, so you will want to change the settings in the software first.
To do that, open iTunes and go to Edit > Preferences. Under the General tab, click the button for Import Settings. Using the drop-down menu, select the MP3 Encoder. Below that, you have the option to adjust the bit rate. The higher the bit rate, the bigger the resulting file and the better the audio quality. Only go with a lower bit rate if you are looking to conserve space on your hard drive or want to fit more songs on your MP3 player. Click OK twice and you're done there. Next time you pop in a CD, iTunes will prompt you to rip it.
Unfortunately, iTunes itself only sells files in AAC format, so that will not work if you are looking specifically for MP3s. For purchasing music online, I would suggest the Amazon MP3 Store. All music is in MP3 format, and you can set it up so that when you download from Amazon's store, the files are automatically added to your iTunes library.
MP3 Mailbox Monday is a recurring feature where I answer a selection of questions about MP3 players and accessories, such as headphones, speakers, and music services and software. Check back often to see if the advice presented here might be of some use to you, or send your questions directly to me. (Note: We never include last names, but if you prefer to remain completely anonymous, please state as much in your e-mail.)
For more than five years, Jasmine France has covered a variety of tech products for CNET--from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices--but she's happiest where she is now: sitting atop a pile of MP3 players, "testing" every music service known to man, and jamming a variety of earbuds in every shape and color into her absurdly small ears. E-mail Jasmine.
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
Is it possible for files downloaded from other programs to be automatically added to your iTunes library? If so, how?
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Get Tunebite and rip all of the music to MP3.
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by bledsoe812
June 10, 2009 8:16 AM PDT
- Yeah...why would the author want to complicate things for the user by throwing Amazon into the mix. As others have mentioned, just right click a purchased iTunes Plus music file and "Create MP3 Version". Deleting the just purchased AAC file will then leave you with a MP3 version that can be played on any music player supporting MP3.
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by Jasmineflower
June 10, 2009 2:54 PM PDT
- Put simply: I just don't recommend an extra compression/conversion step if you can avoid it.
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by bledsoe812
June 10, 2009 6:45 PM PDT
- Thank you, Jasmine, for commenting on the stance you have regarding not recommending extra compression/conversions. I happen to disagree though in this scenario though. The reader doesn't state that he is an audiophile, and I would challenge any casual digital music listener (I say casual because he states that he plans to purchase less than 75 songs a year) to hear the difference. I agree that the extra steps that you recommend produce a cleaner file, but there is a difference between technically cleaner and noticeably cleaner.
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by l_batson
June 10, 2009 7:33 PM PDT
- Because "transcodes" make the already lossy AAC and MP3 files sound even worse. The best bet for the long haul would be to rip your cd's to FLAC using Exact Audio Copy, then using a program like DBPowerAmp to convert them to V0 quality mp3's... but I'm afraid that's probably more than the original poster is willing to bite off at this point.
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(16 Comments)I'm wondering if Jasmine is just mentioning the Amazon store to not show preference to a specific brand -- shame on you if so. Things are much easier (especially for a user who prefers iTunes) to just stay within iTunes. Installing another application (the Aamzon MP3 Downloader) just complicates things.
I still find it unfortunate that you didn't outline both options in your article. Yes, I have used the Amazon MP3 Downloader, but not since iTunes moved all of their music to iTunes Plus. To each their own, though.
It's really sad that people don't care about audio quality anymore. The first time I listened to a friend's IPod 5 years ago, I was sickened by the awful sounds coming through those horrible white earbuds. It's really amazing the difference a $30 pair of headphones make. THEN, they might actually be able to hear the difference between 128kbs and 192kbs or V0. You don't have to be an "audiophile." People just seem to have forgotten what music is supposed to sound like.