How to Convert a Purchased iTunes M4P to an MP3

Like many types of downloaded, purchased music, files for iTunes are often sold in protected file formats meant to be played only by the iTunes player. However, purchased music meant for personal use is legal to change to any format or medium you like, and even iTunes files can be converted to the more standard MP3 format with a little investment of time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Method 1: Burning to Disc

1. Burn your tracks to a playable blank CD using iTunes. Select the tracks you want to record, then click the iTunes button for burning a CD (the location and exact wording of this varies according to the version, but it should be easy to find; if not, consult the "Help" menu).

2. Place the finished CD in your computer's CD-ROM drive.

3. Open the CD using a program that will re-import the tracks as MP3 files. Some programs, such as Windows Media Player, will do this automatically. Your computer will also automatically read the files as MP3s if you open them without a music player and save the tracks as you would regular computer files.

Method 2: Re-Recording

4. Obtain recording/editing software for your computer. If your computer didn't come with one installed, download a free or inexpensive program like Blaze Audio, GoldWave or Audacity.

5. Shut down all programs that may make sounds on your computer; you'll be recording all sounds on your system, so any other program sounds will make it on the recording along with your music.

6. Open a new file in your sound editing program. Make sure to set the recording input to "audio out."

7. Re-record your iTunes track. Start the recorder in your sound editor, then start the music track playing. Stop the recorder when the music is finished.

8. Save the new file in MP3 format. Repeat for all tracks you wish to convert.

References

• Copyright and Fair Use