# Converting mp4 to mp3 on a Mac?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 30, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527 "2007-08-30T18:49:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527/1 "2007-08-30T18:49:25Z")

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I am trying to convert some mp4 (m4p) tracks from iTunes to mp3 to play in Powerpoint on the Mac (OSX). All the converters I can find on the web are Windows or Vista based. Can anyone point me in the right direction?  
Thanks to all.

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527/2 "2007-08-30T18:55:53Z")

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Damn, I just looked up how to do this with iTunes this morning!

In iTunes preferences dialog, importing pane:  
Set to “Import using mp3”

Back in the main window, select some tracks.  
Under the ‘Advanced’ menu you’ll find an item “Convert Selection to MP3”  
-Choose it.

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527/3 "2007-08-30T18:56:22Z")

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iTunes can do this, for unprotected tracks.  
If the tracks are protected, you can burn them to CD, then re-import as MP3s.  
The import and conversion settings are in Preferences.

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**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527/4 "2007-08-30T19:01:27Z")

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D’oh! I didn’t realize I could do this in iTunes. I wonder if I will have to pay the download fee again.  
Oh well. Thanks so much for your help!

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527/5 "2007-08-30T19:17:02Z")

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[QUOTE=Squink]  
…-Choose it.  
[/QUOTE]

It duplicates tracks in the new (mp3) format.  
Now I’ve got to figure how to select and delete all the old tracks efficiently.

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**Author:** ![Bagistan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Bagistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bagistan)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mp4-to-mp3-on-a-mac/417527/6 "2007-08-30T19:53:44Z")

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[QUOTE=Squink]  
Now I’ve got to figure how to select and delete all the old tracks efficiently.  
[/QUOTE]

Make a “smart playlist” with rules to select those you want to delete. “Type contains ‘AAC’” and such. Then select all and drag them to a new normal playlist. Doublecheck, select all, and delete them.