Convert iTunes files to MP3-format

I bought tracks from iTunes but don't own an iPod (I have a different MP3-player). Is there a way to convert these files to MP3-format so that I can listen to it on my portable player?

This interesting problem is not applicable to SA music lovers (yet), because we can't buy from iTunes as no licensing has been extended to South Africa yet. However, it's a fair problem and one that might become applicable to us as well in the future.

So let's see whether we can do something about it...

Apple makes use of a digital rights management system to copyright protect their music files on iTunes. This AAC format is incompatible with any portable music player other than Apple's own iPod.

At the moment this is entirely legal, although grossly unfair to anybody that does not own an iPod. (Please note at this stage that any form of circumventing the digital rights management system might be illegal in your country, so please make sure of iTunes' terms and conditions first before proceeding.)

Ignoring the unfairness of this system for a moment, let's look into how it can be side-stepped. In order to do so, you need to find a way of converting AAC files to MP3 files, which is the standard format for most portable music players.

iTunes have a built-in function that "allows" you to convert files to mp3 format... except that it works on all file formats except AAC files — not much use here.

So is all lost? Fortunately not.

There are applications of dubious legality available on the internet that will aid you in your search for MP3-freedom, but there are two slightly better ways.

Option 1:

In iTunes, click on "Edit", "Preferences", "Importing" and then change the default "Import Using" option to "Mp3 Encoder". Click "OK". Now when you right-click on a music file in iTunes you get an option that says "Convert Selection to MP3". Of course we already know this doesn't work for AAC files.

Now for the side-stepping — it's actually a bit dumb, but it'll work. Burn your tracks to a CD and then open the CD in iTunes. Now you can select the tracks from your CD and import them as MP3 files. Now you can copy the files from your hard drive onto your portable music player.

Like I said, it's a bit dumb and seems like taking a long detour, but it works. There is, however, a bit of a drop in sound quality with this technique. Fortunately there is a way to keep the sound quality from dropping...