Convert WMA to MP3 - Comments

Here's a free decoder: http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

Bob, there is also the free open source program SoX (aka "the swiss army knife of sound processing programs"), which converts files from the command line. Primarily for Linux, but there is a Windows binary available. See http://sox.sourceforge.net/

One small note - WMA files are able to retain higher quality in smaller files sizes than MP3. So when you convert, be prepared for them to take more space. It's sad that so often quality has to be sacrificed for ubiquity. But who needs to discover in 10 years they can't even open the audio files they so carefully saved.

Bob, I'm sure many will respond with their favorite conversion tool, so here's mine. I use a german product called tunebyte. It claims its method of conversion is legal and does not violate anyones DMR. It, in effect, plays and re-records the tracks in the desired format. I've used it for both protected WMA and M4P tracks. It's reasonably priced at $29.00 and there is a more expensive video version. The url to the product is http://www.tunebyte.com/

EDITOR'S NOTE: Seems to be the same as the TuneBite software I mentioned. The website is identical.

If what you're wanting to do is get your WMA files onto your iPod, you will be installing iTunes on your computer, and iTunes will automatically import your (Non Protected) WMA files and convert them into your choice of MP3 or AAC, both playable on your iPod. Notwithstanding Bob's assertion that the Apple products won't play with MS formats, this is certainly the easiest one-step method.

Your recommendation is great, but i have bought NoteBurner and it can convert all kinds of music to mp3 or wma.

Are there any conversion tools for a Mac to convert DRM files to play with iTunes?

Heya Bob. What about converting FLAC files to MP3? Is there a tool that will do a directory full at once? Thanks!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm not even sure what a FLAC file is! But do a Google search for "convert flac to mp3" and you'll get lots of helpful info.

Not by cracking DRM control like Hymn, there are mainly other two methods to bypass the DRM control for protected music.
The first method is to burn a copy to an audio CD and then rip/encode it. Some software products take a smarter method which allows user to burn music to a Virtual CD-RW disc and then automatically rip/encode the music stored on the Virtual CD-R. This makes the whole conversion process automatically and faster. NoteBurner (www.noteburner.com) is the typical example which uses this Virtual CD-RW drive method.
The second method is to use a recording software and sound card. TuneBite is one of the most popular software.

Hello Bob! I think that TuneRaft software is worth of attention. The way it works allows almost any protected or unprotected file to be converted to mp3. TuneRaft is much like other digital converters except that it deals with up to 10 or even more files at a time, that improves batch conversion speed significantly.
FLAC files to MP3: Not sure, but probably it could be converted as well if it can be played in WMP. URL: http://www.tuneraft.com/