If you have a Mac Computer it’s very easy using iTunes. Drag your music into the iTunes window. It accepts several different file types – ACC, aiff and wav files. On the far left top of your screen click ‘tTunes.’ Scroll down and choose ‘Preferences.’ In the preferences window click ‘Advanced.’

You’ll see three option ‘General,’ Importing’ and ‘Burning.’ Choose ‘Importing’ and in the pop up window under ‘Import Using’ choose ‘MP3 Encoder’ and click ‘OK.’ ITunes is now set up to make MP3 files. Back in the main iTunes window, just highlight your song and choose the ‘Advanced’ Menu on the top of your computer and scroll down to ‘Convert Selection to MP3.’ It’s will covert your file.

To find the file look in your iTunes folder or do a search for the name. You can also drag it from the main menu of iTunes onto your desktop. The MP3 file will appear right below the original one.

I’m not so familiar with PC’s and have asked John Dodson to help you for that format. John’s article is below:

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Awhile back I wrote an article on how to use the sound recorder to create and save .wav files. I chose that program because the process is easy for the beginner to understand. Now, it is time to move on to a more challenging and rewarding platform. We are going to explore how to use a program called Audacity to import .wav and save to the Mp3 format.

I wish that I could say that converting a .wav file to mp3 is simple. It isn’t but, it doesn’t take a Harvard education either. So, I will walk you through the steps for finding the free program and the library routine you need to have installed on your computer.

First download and save each of these files:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/latest/audacity-win/audacity-win-1.2.6.exe

http://www.webhostxpress.net/%7Emitiok/lame-3.96.1.zip

Put them on your desktop for now.

When you have both files , left click twice on the audacity-win-1.2.6.exe icon sitting on your desktop. The program=s installer will run and prompt you to click whether you accept the licence agreement or not, read it and then select yes. Continue to answer the prompts until the program is installed. Mostly all you need to do is click NEXT.

LAME MP3 encoder – Allows Audacity to export MP3 files.

Next, click on the lame-3.96.1.zip icon Your de-encryption program will start (I use WinZip). I “extract” these files by selecting “Extract” and give it “Desktop” as the destination.

Finally, shake out your aching arms, take a deep breath and…

1.)Relax.  The hard part is done.
2.)Click on your icon for the audacity program if it is not currently running.
3.)The first time you use the “Export as MP3” command.  Audacity will ask you where lame_enc.dll is saved. In this case it is the desktop.
4.)Find a .wav file somewhere on your hard drive and put it on the desktop for the sake of convenience. You may also use the built in Sound Recorder to make a quick “demo” file and save it to the desktop.
5.)In Audacity, select File/open and then browse for the “demo” .wav file you have selected or created.
6.)File/ export as MP3. The first time you attempt to export to Mp3 you will be asked to locate the lame-enc.dll. A pop up window will help you do this step, just remember where you extracted the Lame file to and select that location. Click OK.
7.)Yet another window will popup and ask for information. You will not need to provide anything more than your file name unless you want to do so. Click ok when done.
8.)You will now have a Mp3 saved to your desktop.

Did you notice all the features of Audacity? Yep, that’s correct you don’t have to use the MicroSoft Sound Recorder anymore. Audacity has all of the features of the Sound Recorder and more. You can save in .wav format or export directly to .wav! Play around with these new features and you will soon have some very professional sounding results.

In a  future article if the demand is there I will tell you how to enhance Audacity with new features and special effects. Until then, peace and God Bless. (by John Dodson)