Converting Protected Audio Files to Plain MP3: A Comprehensive Guide
Converting protected audio files into MP3 format can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with content protected by proprietary DRM (Digital Rights Management) systems. However, with the right methods and tools, it is possible to achieve high-quality MP3 conversions of your digital music collections. In this guide, we will explore three methods to convert protected audio files into MP3, ensuring your audio remains unprotected and accessible for everyday use.
Method 1: Converting Protected iTunes Purchases with iTunes Match
If you have purchased music through iTunes and are looking for an easy way to convert it to plain MP3 format, iTunes Match is a convenient tool that can help. Here’s how you can use iTunes Match to convert your protected audio files to MP3 format:
Sign Up for iTunes Match: Begin by signing up for an iTunes Match subscription, which costs $24.99 per year. This service allows you to store all of your music in iCloud and re-download deleted songs.
Open iTunes: Launch the iTunes application on your computer.
Sign in to iTunes: In the upper-left corner of the iTunes window, click on your account name (Windows) or in the drop-down menu (Mac) and enter your Apple ID credentials to sign in.
Find the Song or Album: Locate the song or album you want to convert in your iTunes library. Remember, this must be music that you have purchased from iTunes.
Delete the Song or Album: Select the song or album, then press Del (Windows) or click to select it and then click (Mac) to remove it from your iTunes library.
Access Your Purchased Music: In the upper-right corner of the iTunes window, click the button to access your purchased songs. From here, you can view only purchased music that is not in your iTunes library.
Download the Unprotected Version: Locate the song or album you deleted and click the cloud-shaped icon near it to prompt the unprotected version of the song or album to download onto your computer.
Create MP3 Versions: Finally, convert the unprotected songs to MP3 format by right-clicking a song, selecting “Create MP3 Version,” and choosing the desired quality settings.
Method 2: Converting Protected Songs Using the Burning Method
For those who prefer a more manual approach, the burning method involves temporarily converting protected audio files to unprotected CD format and then re-ripping them into MP3. Here’s how to do it:
Understand the Process: While iTunes can play most protected audio files, you cannot recover unprotected versions through iTunes Match for older music or if you didn’t purchase it originally. However, you can work around this limitation by burning the protected music to a CD and then re-ripping it into MP3 in iTunes.
Insert a CD: Insert a blank CD-RW into your computer. If your computer doesn’t have a DVD drive, you may need to purchase an external USB DVD drive.
Open iTunes: Launch iTunes on your computer.
Sort Music by Kind: Sort your music by Kind to find protected audio files. Look for files with the 'iTunes Plus' or 'Protected AAC' extension.
Select Songs: Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each song you want to convert, ensuring the total duration is under 80 minutes.
Create a New Playlist: Create a new playlist for the selected songs by right-clicking one of the selected songs, selecting List, and naming the playlist.
Click Burn Playlist to Disc: Right-click the playlist and select Burn Playlist to Disc from the drop-down menu.
Wait for the CD to Finish: Wait for the CD to finish burning. Once complete, you can proceed with converting the music to MP3 in iTunes.
Method 3: Using Windows Media Player
If you are using Windows Media Player, the conversion process is similar, albeit slightly different:
Insert a CD: Insert a blank CD-RW into your Windows Media Player-enabled computer. If you don't have a DVD drive, you may need to get an external USB DVD drive.
Open Windows Media Player: Open Windows Media Player from your Start menu.
Open Music Library: Open your music library and find protected songs with the 'Protected AAC' extension.
Click the Burn Tab: Click the Burn tab to initiate the burning process.
Select Songs: Hold down Ctrl (Windows) and click each song you want to convert, ensuring the total duration is under 80 minutes. Drag and drop these songs into the Burn pane.
Start Burn: Click Start Burn to begin the burning process. Once the CD is done burning, you can convert the music to MP3 in Windows Media Player.
Summary
Converting protected audio files to plain MP3 format requires some technical know-how and patience, but with the right methods, you can achieve high-quality conversions. Whether you opt for iTunes Match, the burning method, or using Windows Media Player, the key is to ensure that your music remains unprotected and accessible for everyday use. Remember to format your CD correctly after each use if you plan to convert more than 80 minutes of music.