How to Convert AIFF to MP3

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Simple Methods to Convert AIFF Files into a More Portable MP3 Format

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Audio Conversion
Published: Jan 28, 2025 Edited: Jan 30, 2025

How to Convert AIFF to MP3 on Windows

Using Windows Media Player (Simple Method)

While Windows Media Player doesn’t natively support AIFF to MP3 conversion, you can still use it in a straightforward way by importing the AIFF file and saving it as MP3. Here’s how to do it:

AIFF Audio Format Logo Open Windows Media Player

Click on the Start Menu and search for Windows Media Player to open it.

Add AIFF File to Library

In the Windows Media Player interface, click on the Library tab.

Drag and drop your AIFF file into the library or use the File > Add to Library option to browse and select your AIFF file.

Change the File Format Settings

Click the Organize button in the upper left corner of the player and select Options.

In the Options window, go to the Rip Music tab.

Under Rip Settings, change the Format to MP3. You can also adjust the bit rate here to control the quality and size of the output MP3 file.

Rip the AIFF to MP3

In the library, right-click on your AIFF file and choose Rip to this CD.

Windows Media Player will convert the AIFF file into an MP3 format as it rips the file.

Locate Your MP3

After the conversion is complete, the MP3 file will be saved in your Music folder or another folder specified in the Rip Music options.

Using FFmpeg via Command Prompt

For a quicker and more efficient conversion, FFmpeg is a powerful tool that allows you to convert AIFF to MP3 using the Command Prompt. Here’s how to do it:

Download and Install FFmpeg

Visit the FFmpeg website and download the Windows version.

Extract the contents to a folder on your PC.

Add FFmpeg to your system’s path to access it easily via Command Prompt.

Windows Media Player 11 opening screen Open Command Prompt

Press the Windows Key and type Command Prompt.

Click to open the Command Prompt window.

Navigate to Your File Location

In Command Prompt, type the following command:

cd C:\path\to\your\AIFF\file
Replace C:\path\to\your\AIFF\file with the actual path where your AIFF file is stored.

Convert AIFF to MP3

Run the following command to convert the file:

ffmpeg -i input.aiff output.mp3

Replace input.aiff with the name of your AIFF file and output.mp3 with your desired MP3 output file name.

Check Your MP3 File

Once the process is complete, your MP3 file will appear in the same directory.

How to Convert AIFF to MP3 on Mac OS

Using Apple Music

Apple Music makes it simple to convert AIFF files to MP3. The steps are straightforward:

Open Apple Music

Launch the Apple Music app from your Applications folder.

Import AIFF Files

Click File in the top menu and select Import.

Locate and select the AIFF file you want to convert, then click Open.

Change Import Settings to MP3

Click Music in the top left corner of the screen, and select Preferences.

In the General tab, click Import Settings.

In the drop-down menu next to Import Using, select MP3 Encoder and choose your preferred bit rate.

Convert the AIFF to MP3

In your Apple Music library, find the AIFF track you imported.

Click on the three dots next to the track and select Convert.

Choose Create MP3 Version, and the app will create an MP3 file.

Locate Your MP3 File

The MP3 file will now appear in your Apple Music library. You can drag it out to your desktop or your desired folder.

Using QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player offers another simple option for AIFF to MP3 conversion:

Open the AIFF File in QuickTime Player

Find your AIFF file and right-click to open it with QuickTime Player.

Export the File

With the file open, click on File in the top menu and select Export As.

Choose the option for Audio Only.

Choose MP3 Format

In the Export As dialogue box, select MP3 as the format.

You can adjust the bit rate settings if needed (128 kbps is a typical choice for good sound quality).

Save the MP3

Choose the location where you want to save your MP3 file and click Save.

Your AIFF file is now converted to MP3.

A Brief History of AIFF and MP3 Formats

History of AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)

AIFF was introduced by Apple in 1988 as a high-quality, uncompressed audio format.

The format was designed for professional audio work, as it preserves sound quality without any data loss. This makes it ideal for musicians, producers, and sound engineers who require the clearest possible audio.

However, because it’s uncompressed, AIFF files tend to be large, which makes storage and transfer less efficient compared to compressed formats.

History of MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III)

The MP3 format, developed in the early 1990s, revolutionized the way we store and share music.

Unlike AIFF, MP3 is a lossy compression format, meaning it reduces file size by discarding audio data that the human ear is less likely to notice. MP3s became incredibly popular in the digital music age due to their smaller file sizes and compatibility with a wide range of devices, including computers, portable music players, and smartphones.

While MP3 files sacrifice some quality for size, they remain one of the most widely used audio formats in the world.

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