The Advanced Auto Encoding (AAC)  was originally used for audio encoding in DVDs, but has become better known as the default format for music tracks stored in the Apple iTunes library. In order play music stored in the iTunes default format on other MP3 players, the end-user must convert AAC to MP3 format.

Convert AAC to MP3

Step 1 – Open the iTunes player on the computer by selecting the program icon from the “Programs” sub-menu or choosing the desktop application icon.

Step 2 – Click the “Edit,” “Preferences,” and “General” menu choices if using iTunes 9 or newer. If version 8 or older is installed on the computer, then select the “Edit,” “Preferences,” and “Importing” menu choices.

Step 3 – Pick the “Import Settings” menu option. Change the “Import Using” menu selection to “MP3 Encoder.”

 Step 4– Click the “Ok” menu option to save the setting and restart the iTunes player.

Step 5 – Choose the music album or play list that contains the song(s) to convert to MP3.

Step 6 – Right click the first track to convert to MP3 and select the “Convert Selection to MP3” or “Create MP3 Version” menu option.

Step 7 – View the music files and file types by selecting the “File,” “Display Duplicates,” and “Kind” menu options. There will be two files stored in the iTunes library now. One of file type AAC, and one of MP3.

Step 8 – Repeat the file conversions until complete with all desired files.

Convert DRM-Protected AAC Files to MP3

If any of the music stored in the iTunes library was purchased prior to 2009, it may be “DRM-protected.” If an error is experienced when attempting to convert the music to MP3, the tracks will need to be burnt to CD and then converted by iTunes from AAC to MP3 format.

Step 1 – Launch the iTunes multimedia player. .

Step 2 – Choose the “Preferences” and “Burning” menu options.

Step 3 – Select the “Audio CD” format and then pick the “Use Sound Check” menu selection if there are songs from multiple artists or playlists to convert from AAC to MP3. This will ensure the music is converted at a consistent audio volume.

Step 4 – Click the “Ok” menu button and then choose the playlist to burn to CD.

Step 5 – Pick the “Burn Disc” menu option followed by inserting a blank CD-R into the computer’s disk drive.

Step 6 – Choose the “Burn Disc” button to rip the selected playlist to the CD.

Step 7 – Open the disc with the iTunes player after the burn is complete.

Step 8 – Right click the individual tracks and click the “Create MP3 Version” or “Convert Selection to MP3” menu options to complete the conversion from AAC (DRM protected) to MP3.