mp3 conversion tool

Hi guys,

What is the best tool to convert protected wma's to unprotected mp3's? I've heard of wma-convert, but are there any free ones or any other suggestions? thanks!

 

Please note: Breaking the protection is illegal. The legal way is to do create a regular audio CD or virtual audio CD and then convert mp3s.

JC

 

how do i make virtual cd's. or in other words. what programs can i use to make virtual cd's?

 

It's illegal to break the encryption. However there are certain workarounds such as using the burn-and-rip method. You can also do what I do and use a program called Tunebite which is 100% legit (no spyware adware etc) and fully legal to use based on current and previous WMA/Media Player licensing agreements.

Hotlink to legal info on the program- been around for years-
http://tunebite.com/en/tunebite/rechtliches.html

Very nice program, worth the registration fee.

 

thanks otakuoverlord!

 

It is NOT illegal to break the protection. Where do you people get your information?

Read this bit about Fair Use and the DMCA. The illegal part is distributing the tools or instructions that circumvent the DMCA, which is only illegal in the USA. If you're using it for legally acquired content for personal use, there is absolutely NOTHING illegal about breaking copy restrictions.

Learn your rights. Companies would love to take them all away, and they can only do that when you don't know what they are.

I'm not a lawyer, so don't construe this as binding legal advice, but from what I know, I'm right.

 

So pitabread do you have any suggestions for me?

 

i use Ctrax to download my protected music. what programs can i use to convert them to unprotected? Thanks! and if there are none can someone tell me what programs i can use to make virtual cd's? Thanks!

 

Well, if you consider that when you are playing a DRM'd file, you are, in fact, streaming it, perhaps if you had some way of recording that stream, such as Total Recorder or Audacity...

 

Excuse my generic reply, trying to keep this posted undeleted =) that's what tunebite does, it captures the waveout of the file being played and can even play it double or quad speed with a digital driver you can install.

 

I completly agree with you on this!!!

Word of mouth can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Companies love this kind of scare tactic.

So much of what you hear or read is NOT legally binding, unless you sign something. Even a purchase is NOT consent as they like you to believe.

I can go on & on in detail about this, but let me stop here

 

ok i'm using tunebite but the music i convert always has a lighter sound than the actual file. how do i make it louder? I already set it to be 100%of the player's volume

 

You could use mp3Gain.

 

so are there any other suggestions of programs. i found one called WMAConvert and Sountaxi which are essentially the same thing, but they don't work on my computer for some reason. hurry i need this! thanks!

 

just burn a CD and then rip it to MP3?

 

I use MediaCoder for converting.. everything. The interface is a bit confusing though.