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File extension | .mp3 |
Category | Music File |
Description | MP3 is a digital music format which allows CD tracks to be reduced to around a tenth of their normal size without a significant loss of quality. MP3 gets rid of a lot of the information recorded in a song that our ears are not able to hear and then uses complex algorithms to reduce the file size. This then enables you to get hundreds of songs on to a CD and it also has opened up a new market over the internet - the download market as download times have been significantly reduced. |
Actions | MP3 to WAV - Convert file now View other music file formats |
Technical Details | The MP3 format is a lossy format. That means that an MP3 file does not contain 100% of the original audio information. Instead, MP3 files use perceptual coding. In other words, that means it removes the information that your ear doesn't notice thereby making the file smaller. The reason lossy formats are used over RAW is that RAW audio files are too large to travel over the internet at any great speed. By using lossy formats it enables even dial up users to download mp3 files at a reasonable speed. RAW file formats generally require 176,000 bytes per second compared to a lossy format which requires 17,600. The difference is massive and so are the download times. |
Associated programs | RealOne WinAmp Windows Media Player iTunes |
Developed by | Moving Picture Experts Group |
MIME type | audio/mpeg |
Useful links | Further information on MP3 files How MP3 files work Convert MP3 file |
You can use iTunes to convert song files between compressed and uncompressed formats. For example, you might want to import some uncompressed files into iTunes as compressed files to save disk space. Examples of compressed formats are MP3 and Apple Lossless Encoder. Examples of uncompressed formats are AIFF or WAV.
You shouldn't notice reduced sound quality when you:
- convert between uncompressed formats.
- go from a compressed to an uncompressed format.
You might notice reduced sound quality when you:
- convert between compressed formats.
- go from an uncompressed to a compressed format.
Learn more about audio compression.
For best results, if you want your music in a different format, import again from the original source using the new encoding format.
You can convert the format of songs that are in your iTunes library, in a folder, or on a disk.
Convert songs that are already in your iTunes library
- Open iTunes.
- Mac: From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen, choose iTunes > Preferences.
Windows: From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, choose Edit > Preferences. - Click the General tab, then click Import Settings in the lower section of the window.
- Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose the encoding format that you want to convert the song to.
- Click OK to save the settings.
- From your library, select one or more songs that you want to convert.
- Choose File > Convert, then Create [format] Version. The format shown is the one that you chose in step 4. For example, if you chose Apple Lossless Encoder, select Create Apple Lossless Version.
New song files appear in your library next to the original files.
Convert songs from files in a folder or on a disk
You can import songs into iTunes and convert them at the same time. This creates a converted copy of the file in your iTunes Library, based on your iTunes preferences.
To convert all of the songs in a folder or on a disk:
- Open iTunes.
- Mac: From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen, choose iTunes > Preferences.
Windows: From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, choose Edit > Preferences. - Click the General tab, then click Import Settings in the lower section of the window.
- Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose the encoding format that you want to convert the songs to.
- Click OK to save the settings.
- While holding down the Option key (Mac) or Shift key (Windows) on your keyboard, choose File > Convert > Convert to [import preference]. The format shown is the one that you chose in step 4. For example, if you chose Apple Lossless Encoder, select Convert to Apple Lossless.
- Select the folder or disk that contains songs that you want to import and convert. iTunes converts all of the songs in the folder or on the disk.
The songs in their original format and the converted songs appear in your library.
Older purchased songs are encoded in a Protected AAC format that prevents them from being converted. Learn how to upgrade these and then convert to another format.
Learn more
When you convert a file with iTunes, the original file remains unchanged in the same location. iTunes creates the converted file from a copy of the original.
About compression
When you convert a song to certain compressed formats, some data might be lost. These compressed formats give you a much smaller file size, which lets you store more songs. But, the sound quality might not be as good as the original, uncompressed format.
You might not hear a difference between a compressed and uncompressed song. This can depend on the song, your speakers or headphones, or your music device.
If you compress a song and it loses data, you can't uncompress it to retrieve the data. If you convert a song from a compressed to an uncompressed format, its quality doesn't improve. The file only takes up more disk space. An example is when you convert a song in MP3 format (a compressed format) to AIFF (an uncompressed format). The song takes up much more space on your hard disk, but sounds the same as the compressed file. To take advantage of uncompressed formats, you should import songs in these formats.
About copyright
You can use iTunes software to reproduce materials. It is licensed to you only for reproduction of:
- non-copyrighted materials.
- materials for which you own the copyright.
- materials you are authorized or legally permitted to reproduce.
If you are uncertain about your right to copy any material, you should contact your legal advisor. For more information, see the iTunes Store Terms of Service.