MP3- LAME - iTunes - Need Help Please

DARKMATTER · Post by **DARKMATTER** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:28 pm

This week, I did recordings of a live choir - quite unlike my typical solitary studio work. The members have requested that I upload edited mp3 song files to their internet site. I've now learned that mp3 is not a directly supported export format for 4.12

The google and forum searches I've conducted suggest that I download LAME encoder (which I did, based on threads here @ Unicornation). I've also read that iTunes can be employed; all with no luck. Even after the download, I see no added functionality, so clearly i did something wrong.

At the risk of asking an obviously 'LAME' question, can I get tips on how to do the requested file conversion? Also, is DP used by many users for final editing and mastering, or is other software (Bias Peak,etc) a worthwhile investment? I've downloaded freeware software for audio editing and I guess you get what you oay for, huh?

I do appreciate it!

Regards

Bobby

studiodog · Post by **studiodog** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:01 am

Everything can be done in DP. External editing software is not required.
BUT, it is nice to have. I much prefer using Peak instead of DP's editor for permanent changes. Still, you can do everything in DP if you take the time to learn how to.

As for MP3, iTunes has nothing to do with DP. iTunes will make an MP3 for you all on it's own. Just learn the software, it's not too complex. Use the built in help that the OS provides.

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:27 am

studiodog wrote:Everything can be done in DP. External editing software is not required.
BUT, it is nice to have. I much prefer using Peak instead of DP's editor for permanent changes. Still, you can do everything in DP if you take the time to learn how to.

As for MP3, iTunes has nothing to do with DP. iTunes will make an MP3 for you all on it's own. Just learn the software, it's not too complex. Use the built in help that the OS provides.

I second everything stated here.

FWIW: I too prefer Peak to edit and master (I use Peak LE actually), but DP can certainly do it all for you. I just like Peak's interface and editorial toolset better. It's a taste thing.

And yeah, outputting mp3 via iTunes is a pretty simple undertaking. I use Peak LE to do this as well because it allows me greater compression flexibility and the ability to tag the mp3 files with embedded names, genre listings, creator ID, etc., but if you don't need those attributes, iTunes should suit you fine.

Good luck.

chamelion · Post by **chamelion** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 3:12 am

I discovered a very useful app on Version Tracker a few days ago; it may help with your problem. The app is called Sound Converter, and it will convert just about any audio file format into just about any other format quickly and easily. It cost only $10, and I recommend it highly.
You can check it out at:
http://www.dekorte.com/projects/sharewa ... Converter/

Hope this proves to be helpful.

Cheers,

Geoff

DARKMATTER · Post by **DARKMATTER** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:32 am

Thanks for the responses, and for the tip on Version Tracker. I will check it out.

To clarify re: iTunes & mp3 -
I know that iTunes will create mp3 CDs, provided the source file is also mp3. To my knowledge iTunes does not convert from one format to another, TRUE?

For example: Even with iTunes IMPORT pref set to mp3, dragging a .AIFF file to a playlist still shows the imprted song to be AIFF format in FILE ->GET INFO

Thanks again

Bobby

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:51 am

After you drag a aiff file into iTunes, select it, then under the menu item Advanced, "Convert Selection to mp3".

Then drag it to the desktop if you want, and there it is!

To set encoding preferences, select itunes> Prefererences, Advanced, Importing and you can select bit rate, etc.

(Even though it says importing, it also uses the same settings for exporting)

=bz=

glsimonsen · Post by **glsimonsen** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:07 am

just make sure you change the name of the new mp3 file. otherwise you can't tell if it's the original aiff or the new mp3.

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:13 am

Not a bad idea, but you can also select the song name and "Get Info" and it will tell you which is which.

In my experience, if iTunes is set to display alphabetically (A-Z), the converted file always appears right below the original.

=bz=

DARKMATTER · Post by **DARKMATTER** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 6:48 pm

Well - Looky there!

Thanks, guys - you Rock