Question about Encoding MP3 to AAC

Oct 20, 2008
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Golf Course
I have several MP3 files that are all organized. I am completely overhauling all of my music files and would like them all to be AAC.

My question is:

Is there a way that I can either drag the folder or music into itunes and it will automatically encode them into AAC format instead of it putting them in as MP3 and then having to right click on the files and select Create AAC Version?

Thanks
 

snakester

Member
Oct 29, 2008
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Lovely Seacost NH
I have several MP3 files that are all organized. I am completely overhauling all of my music files and would like them all to be AAC.

My question is:

Is there a way that I can either drag the folder or music into itunes and it will automatically encode them into AAC format instead of it putting them in as MP3 and then having to right click on the files and select Create AAC Version?

Thanks

Just out of curiosity why are you doing this? Do you have a music player that only supports AAC? Doing it the way you're doing it actually degrades audio quality, and it would be better just leaving them as MP3's, especially if as you say they are already organized.

But to answer your other question the only way I know of to do that in itunes is the create AAC version option.
 

JoeTan

Well-Known Member
Oct 14, 2008
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Correct. Leave an MP3 alone. Converting it to AAC will make the file BIGGER and the SQ will be less due to the repeated compression.
 

DAB

Mod Emeritus
Oct 9, 2008
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Louisiana
It is true that converting music files degrades them each time you do it, but the chances of you being able to hear any difference is between slim and none.

iTunes will do a bulk conversion if you highlight several files at once and it will convert them one by one.

Now with all that said, there is really no reason to do this, having all AAC or a mix of AAC and MP3 really makes no difference in terms of listening or use. All devices support MP3, but only certain ones support AAC.

There is also some software that you can purchase called Protected Music Converter. One thing I have done over the years is convert all those AAC DRM protected songs because I just didn't want to deal with DRM files. Like I said listening to it before and after a conversion my ears can detect no degradation whatsoever.