How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

[B-Rad001]

Well i recently downloaded URGE and I'm like "I'm going to fill my ipod up" so i downloaded a couple of songs, and then i went to see what format the songs are in and they are protected WMA, but apple doesn't let that in Itunes. So I'm looking for a converter that will convert protected WMA to protected mp3, mp3, unprotected wma, anything except protected wma. I looked a Tunebite, but it only lets you have 30 sec in the free trail. I'm willing to pay some money but i don't wanna buy anything off the Internet. I would perfer to buy it off a local retail store if that's possible. but better yet i would enjoy a free program.

o and BTW, i cant burn the songs on a CD. DRM protected i think (yea it stinks :vmad: . well its free)

would anyone please help me? thanks, Brandon

[xoas]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

dBpowerAMP Music Converter (dMC) has a feature known as Auxilary Input. This can be used to record audio tracks as they play though your computer's sound card (as well as allowing you to record through other sound card inputs). Recording is only done in real time and is fairly labor intensive (unlike being able to convert directly from your wma file). This is the same process used by Tunebite only Tunebite automates it a bit (so I am given to understand).

If you care to try this, you might want to check the FAQ section of this forum and look at the FAQ for Auxilary Input and how to use it.

dMC would allow you to record or convert to a variety of formats. Your best bet would be to record to .wave. I would think that iTunes would let you convert the .wave files to your choice of supported formats. However, you can also use dMC to convert your .wave files to a variety of formats. To convert files to .mp3 format in dMC, you will need the Power Pack (but the Power Pack is not needed to convert .mp3 files to other formats). You can have a free 30 day trial period with the Power Pack and this trial version is fully functional. After 30 days, you will lose the functionality of the Power Pack (including the ability to encode to .mp3) unless you register the Power Pack. However, you could get by converting to .m4a rather than .mp3. This would require downloading and installing the .m4a/.mp4 codec from Codec Central (tabbed link at the top of this page). This codec and the other codecs available through Codec Central are free.

Or you could investigate further to make sure that you cannot burn your protected wma files to disk. Many sites offering protected audio files do allow you this option.

Best wishes,
Bill

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

i might be one of the stupidest person, i cant figure out how to open the dBpowerAMP Music Converter Auxilary Input.

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Nevermind, i found out how to get on it and it says my trail has expired, i previously downloaded it a while back. So my only choice now is to buy it or what?

[LtData]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Or convert to unprotected WMA or another format besides mp3.

[xoas]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Ahem...

you could get by converting to .m4a rather than .mp3. This would require downloading and installing the .m4a/.mp4 codec from Codec Central (tabbed link at the top of this page). This codec and the other codecs available through Codec Central are free.

(see Post #2 this thread, paragraph 3)

Or, better is to record to wave and then convert from wave to m4a/mp4 or (if iTunes can do the conversion) to mp3.

Best wishes,
Bill

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

But still, it says i need to buy the product because it has expired. So mainly im stuck eh?

[ChristinaS]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

The only thing that is expired is the powerpack which include the license for converting to mp3.

If you opt to convert to any other format except mp3 you don't need a license. The powerpack has some features which are nice but not essential (like DSP effects or professional frequency conversion).

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Alright, i have to admit this is the greatest and helpful fourm i have ever seen. Thanks For all of you all for explaining how to use this step by step. But now, i have alot of converting to do. Thanks :D

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Okay new problem. Everything is working fine except, the Base. Well when i play the song on my ipod, it has very bad base, desorted. Any advice?

[LtData]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

What format and bitrate did you convert to? Also, I'm guessing you mean bass, not base.

Also, distorted bass could be the result of the specs the file was encoded to, as I allude to above, something being wrong with your iPod, or inferior quality earbuds/headphones.

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

What format and bitrate did you convert to? Also, I'm guessing you mean bass, not base.

Also, distorted bass could be the result of the specs the file was encoded to, as I allude to above, something being wrong with your iPod, or inferior quality earbuds/headphones.

Nothings wrong with my ipod, or my headphones. They only do it with the songs i converted. I might have fixed the problem. The VU meter was too high. I think i Might have fixed it, but i converted to apple losses (I recorded from DMC Auxiliary Input to WAV and Wav to Mp4)
But thanks anyway

[ChristinaS]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Ah, well yes indeed, when recording from Aux Input you must set the recording volume to no more than 1/2 to 2/3 of the maximum or you will get distortion. And whatch the VU meter so it doesn't stay in the red zone for very long ever.

Before converting the wav to anything else listen to it to make sure it's good.

[B-Rad001]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

I wish there was a way to play a cd, and like record it using Auxiliary Input, and not have to press stop, and record. Whenever i use the "Auto Start" and "Auto End" it messes up. Does anyone know the like right settings for the "Auto Start and Auto End" ex auto start= 10% for 3000sec.

[LtData]

Re: How do I convert Protected wma to mp3

Why not just use Audio CD Input to rip the CD? Or are you talking about playing a CD in via the Line-In jack?