The
Audio
Masterclass
Music
Production
and
Sound
Engineering
Course


CONVERSION
OF
SOUND
FILES
TO
AAC


Why convert to AAC?

AAC is a method of encoding audio into a smaller file size, similar to but better than MP3. The file
extension will be .aac or .m4a – the latter is generally more versatile and useful.

To send audio as an e-mail attachment, while preserving audio quality, AAC is essential. MP3 loses
too much quality for professional use. WAV files with extension .wav are far too large to send by e-
mail unless they are of very short duration.

AAC is used by Apple's iTunes, and of course the iPod.

AAC is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh computers. However, if you wish to play an
AAC file in Windows Media Player you will need to install the AAC codec. You can get this from
www.orban.com/plugin

Conversion:

To convert a WAV, AIFF or SD2 file to AAC, Apple iTunes software is recommended, although you
can use any other suitable software. You do not have to sign up for the iTunes download service,
just download and install the software.

On opening iTunes, you will see a screen like this...

Drag your WAV, AIFF or SD2 audio file into the name column, like this...

Conversion
of
sound
files
to
AAC
format

Now you need to set the preferences so that your file can be encoded to AAC. Pull down the 'Edit'
menu and select 'Preferences' (Macintosh: iTunes > Preferences). This is what you will see
(Macintosh has icons instead of tabs)...

Conversion
of
sound
files
to
AAC
format

Next, click on 'Import Settings…' (halfway down to the right). This is what you will see...

In the 'Import Using' dropdown menu, you will be given several choices. Select 'AAC Encoder' then
click 'OK'. You do not need to change anything else.

You will now be taken back here...

Conversion
of
sound
files
to
AAC
format

Right-click (Ctrl-click on the Macintosh) on your file and select 'Convert Selection to AAC'.

iTunes will now convert your file to AAC. You will be able to find this file on a PC in My Documents
> My Music > iTunes > iTunes Music > Unknown Artist > Unknown Album

Yes, it's a lot of clicking, but that's where your AAC file is. Its icon will look like this...

On a Macintosh, navigate to your Home directory, then click 'Music', then 'iTunes', then 'iTunes
Music', then 'Unknown Artist', then 'Unknown Album'.

That's it! You now have a file in AAC format, ready for e-mailing.

Converting from AAC to WAV

iTunes
can
convert
from
AAC
to
WAV
too.
Instead
of
selecting
‘AAC
Encoder’
in
‘Import
Settings’,

select
‘WAV
encoder’.


Conversion
of
sound
files
to
AAC
format