How to Use Itunes to Create MP3, AAC and Many Other File Types

This article examines Itunes and explains the main developments, practical implications, and context readers should understand.

Unlike many people still believe, AAC is not an exclusive music format of Apple and this file can not only work on every Apple device. Although AAC is iTunes's default music file format, you can still change the file type that iTunes creates when you extract (rip) CDs and add them to your music library. Each file type has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some give higher quality audio, others have the advantage of smaller size and better popularity. To take advantage of many different file formats, you need to change some settings in your iTunes. Here's how to do it.

Open the Preferences Section and Go to the Import Settings Section

To change the settings that control what kind of digital music files iTunes will create, start by opening the Preferences window.

• On your Mac, go to the iTunes menu and select Preferences.
• On Windows, go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.

When the Preferences window opens, the General tab will appear by default.

Of all the settings that appear here, please pay attention to an installation at the bottom named Import Settings. This setting is responsible for controlling what happens to a CD when you put it on your computer and starts importing songs (or when you use iTunes' built-in music file conversion feature). Click on the Import Settings item, a window will appear, allowing you to change your options.

Select the File Format and Set the Quality Settings

In the Import Settings window, there are two drag-and-drop menus that allow you to set up two options to determine exactly the type of file you will receive when ripping a CD or when converting a digital audio file, which is the file type ( file type) and quality (quality).

File Type

In this section, you will select the format for which audio file will be created (can be MP3, AAC, WAV or other formats) by using the Import Using drag and drop menu. Unless you are an audiophile who has strict requirements for sound quality or has a specific reason, otherwise, almost the majority of people will only stop at the need for MP3 or AAC (MP3 Universal). But more people like AAC because it is a new file format with better sound quality and storage features.

Quality Settings

Next, you need to decide how good you want this audio file to be. Note that the higher the sound quality, the better the sound, but it also means it will take up more storage space on your device. A lower quality setting theoretically will result in poor sound quality and a smaller file size (although sometimes the sound quality difference is not too significant, many people not even realizing the difference), so you should listen first and then decide whether to sacrifice memory space in exchange for better sound quality.

Click on the Quality menu or Setting menu (Q uality or Setting will depend on different versions of iTunes). You can choose from High Quality (128kbps), iTunes Plus (256kbps), and Spoken Podcast (64kbps) or you can create your own custom settings.

Once you've made your changes, click OK to save your new settings. Next you will proceed to rip the CD (or convert existing music file formats on your computer). Good luck!

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