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How to Convert ALACs to MP3s in iTunes

The Apple Lossless Audio Codec, or ALAC, is a compression algorithm designed for high-quality audio reproduction. Although the Apple iPod and iTunes can both play this format, files in the ALAC format are much larger than those in the more common MP3 format; a collection of ALACs can quickly fill up your hard drive or portable media device. To conserve space, convert your collection of ALACs into MP3 files using iTunes.

Instructions

    • 1

      Launch iTunes. Click the "Edit" menu, then click "Preferences." Click the "General" tab.

    • 2

      Click the "Import Settings" button. Select "MP3 Encoder" from the "Import Using" menu. Click the drop-down menu next to "Setting" and choose "Good Quality," "High Quality" or "Highest Quality." The higher the quality setting, the more space the converted MP3s take up on the hard drive. Click "OK," then "OK" again.

    • 3

      Click the "File" menu, then "Add File to Library." Navigate to and double-click the first ALAC file you want to convert. Repeat the process for all the ALACs you want to convert to MP3s.

    • 4

      Press and hold the "Ctrl" key. Click each one of the ALACs in the iTunes Library. Release the "Ctrl" key.

    • 5

      Right-click one of the highlighted ALACs. Click "Create MP3 Version" in the pop-up menu that appears. When iTunes finishes converting the ALACs to MP3s, press the "Delete" key to remove the ALACs from the Library, if you wish.

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