How to Configure iTunes to Import in MP3 Format

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 18:45 Garret Staus
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iTunes is a widely used media program, but often times users become frustrated that the default encoding for ripping a new CD is Apple's proprietary format.  A more widely used format such as MP3 is more convenient.  Here is how to configure iTunes to rip in MP3:

  • Open iTunes and navigate to Edit -> Preferences.  On Mac this is under iTunes->Preferences.

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  • On the General tab, click the "Import Settings" button.

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  • In the "Import Using" dropdown, select "MP3 Encoder".  Now iTunes will rip in MP3!  It is recommended that you increase the quality of the import as well, unless you are operating with limited storage space.  Any hard drive above about 50GB, however, can easily handle better audio quality for a very large library.  To do this, click on the "Setting" dropdown, and choose "Custom...".

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  • We recommend choosing a Stereo Bit Rate of 256kbps.  This strikes a fine balance between quality and the size of the audio files.  If you have a large hard drive, feel free to choose the 320kbps option.  You do not need to change any other option.  Click OK, and you're done! 

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 23:21  
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Comments  

 
+1 #1 Patrick DeLine 2010-08-26 11:12
This fix is also useful for converting some DRM audio files to .mp3 format. It's a little time consuming, due to the nature of the fix, but it's relatively straight-forward.

1) Create a disk image containing those files or burn them onto a DVD-RW.
Note: If you create an image, your best bet is to make sure you make a dual-layer DVD image, because otherwise you'll only fit about 20 songs on the image.

2) Mount the image using Daemon Tools (or just pop the CD-RW in).
3) Open iTunes and rip the files.
4) Repeat!

This doesn't work for all content, particularly files where the DRM protection doesn't allow for burning to a disc, but it's a useful and very easy way to convert those pesky files into a format that's more usable. It also eliminates the need to use an unreliable third-party tool to convert the files.