Rip CDs in iTunes and Convert Music to MP3

Step 1: Prepare Your CD and iTunes

While ripping a CD in iTunes is simple, there are a few things to keep in mind for the best results. First, make sure the disc is clean and free of scratches, as damage can cause skipped tracks or incomplete rips. Next, check that iTunes or the Music app on Mac is up to date so you can use features like automatically fetching track names. It is also important to decide which format to rip to. iTunes offers AAC, MP3, WAV, and Apple Lossless. Choosing the format now saves you from converting files later.

Step 2: Insert Your CD and Detect Tracks

Insert the CD into your computer. iTunes will detect it and list the tracks. If you are online, it may fetch track names and album info automatically. This is also the time to confirm which encoder you want to use for the ripping process.

Step 1 On your computer, download and install the latest version of iTunes from the Apple website or the Microsoft Store, then follow the prompts to finish setup and restart if requested.

Step 2 Open iTunes from the desktop on Windows or from the Applications folder on Mac, and wait for the main Library screen to load.

Step 3 Make sure your computer can read discs. If it does not have a built-in drive, connect an external USB CD or DVD drive and wait until it is recognized before continuing.

Step 3: Set Your Import Preferences

Before ripping, take a moment to adjust your import settings. Go to Preferences > General > Import Settings to choose your encoder, set the bitrate, and turn on error correction for scratched discs. Higher bitrates like 256 or 320 kbps provide better sound, while lower bitrates save storage space. Also, confirm where iTunes will save the files. The default iTunes Media folder works fine, but you can pick a custom location if you prefer.

Step 1 In the menu bar, click Edit and then Preferences on Windows, or click iTunes and then Preferences on Mac. Under the General tab, click Import Settings.

Step 2 Tap the Import Using menu and choose Apple Lossless if you want full audio quality, or choose AAC or MP3 if you prefer smaller file sizes.

Step 3 If you select AAC or MP3, use the Setting menu to choose a bitrate. A higher setting improves sound quality and works well when ripping multiple discs for long-term storage.

Step 4 Make sure Use error correction when reading Audio CDs is enabled so iTunes can read scratched or older discs more accurately.

Step 5 If you want iTunes to automatically eject each disc when it finishes importing, enable the Eject CD after importing option before closing Preferences.

Step 4: Rip the CD in iTunes

Select the tracks you want or choose the entire CD, then click Import CD. iTunes will convert each track into your chosen format and save it in the folder you selected. Try not to interrupt the process, especially with Apple Lossless or WAV, as this can result in incomplete files. iTunes may also download album artwork and track info automatically, which keeps your library organized and easy to browse later.

Step 1 In the CD view, leave all tracks selected to import the full album, or uncheck any songs you do not want to include.

Step 2 Click the Import CD button in the lower-right corner of the window to begin copying the tracks into your library.

Step 3 Let the process finish before inserting another disc. When working with a large collection, importing one CD at a time keeps files organized and avoids interruptions.

Step 5: Organize and Verify Your Music Files

After ripping, check that all tracks imported correctly. Play them briefly to make sure nothing is missing or skipping. You can also edit metadata if needed, such as song titles, artist names, genres, or album artwork. Organizing files now keeps your library tidy and prevents problems when syncing. For rare or important CDs, consider making a backup of the ripped files so you do not risk losing them if the original disc is damaged.

Tip 1: Test Music Files

Step 1 Open iTunes on your computer and go to Library.

Step 2 Click Recently Added to find the tracks you just imported.

Step 3 Select a song and click Play to make sure it starts and plays normally.

Step 4 Check a few different tracks so you know the CD imported correctly.

Tip 2: Check Metadata and Album Art

Step 1 In iTunes, find the album or track you want to review in your Library.

Step 2 Right-click the track on Windows or Control-click on Mac, then select Song Info or Get Info.

Step 3 Check the album name, artist, track number, and genre, and edit anything that is incorrect.

Step 4 Open the Artwork tab to confirm the album image, then add or replace it if needed and click OK.

Tip 3: Combine Tracks (for Audiobooks)

Step 1 In your Library, select all tracks that belong to the same audiobook or spoken recording.

Step 2 Right-click the selected tracks and choose Song Info on Windows or Get Info on Mac.

Step 3 When asked, confirm that you want to edit multiple items, then adjust the settings so the tracks play together in order.

Step 4 Click OK and play the first track to make sure playback continues smoothly.

Tip 4: Create a Playlist

Step 1 In iTunes, click File in the menu bar and select New Playlist.

Step 2 Type a name for the playlist that matches the music or purpose.

Step 3 Go back to your Library and select the tracks you want to include.

Step 4 Drag the selected tracks into the new playlist in the sidebar.

Tip 5: Convert Music Files

Step 1 In iTunes, select the tracks you want to convert to another format.

Step 2 Click File in the menu bar, then choose Convert and select the available format option, such as Create MP3 Version.

Step 3 Wait for the new files to appear next to the originals in your Library.

Step 4 Play the converted tracks to make sure they sound correct before using them on other devices.

Step 6: Sync Your Music to Devices

Connect your device via USB or Wi-Fi to transfer songs from iTunes. Formats like AAC or Apple Lossless will play smoothly on Apple devices. Syncing also preserves playlists, artwork, and track info, keeping your music organized and ready wherever you go.

Step 1 Connect your iPhone, iPad, or other supported device to your computer and wait for it to appear in iTunes.

Step 2 Click the device icon, open the Music tab, and choose whether to sync your entire library or only selected albums or playlists.

Step 3 Tap Apply or Sync and wait until the progress indicator completes before disconnecting.

Step 4 On your device, open the Music app and confirm that the imported tracks are available.

Extra Tip: Top Alternatives to iTunes for Ripping CDs

While iTunes is a popular choice for ripping CDs, there are other great alternatives that offer unique features or cater to different user preferences. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, or Linux, here are some of the best tools for ripping CDs:

Alternative 1: Windows Media Player (Windows)

Windows Media Player is a built-in application on Windows that offers an easy way to rip CDs into digital files.

How to Rip a CD with Windows Media Player

Step 1 Insert the CD into your computer's CD drive.

Step 2 Open Windows Media Player and select the Rip CD button when the CD is detected.

Step 3 Go to Rip Settings > Format to select the audio format you want.

Step 4 Adjust the bitrate for better audio quality if needed.

Step 5 Click Rip CD to start the process.

Step 6 The files will be saved to your default Music folder.

Alternative 2: Audacity (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor. It allows you to rip CDs and edit the audio before exporting, perfect for users who want more control over the sound.

How to Rip a CD with Audacity

Step 1 Install Audacity from the official website.

Step 2 Insert the CD into your computer's CD drive.

Step 3 Open Audacity, go to Transport > Rescan Audio Devices to detect your CD drive.

Step 4 Select the CD drive as the input device, then press Record and play the CD.

Step 5 Audacity will record the audio in real-time.

Step 6 Once done, select File > Export to save the tracks in MP3, WAV, or FLAC formats.

Bonus: Rip Music from Apple Music and Burn a New CD

If you want to burn your favorite Apple Music songs to a CD, there is one important limitation to know first. Apple Music tracks are protected by Digital Rights Management, which means they cannot be burned directly to a CD or kept permanently outside the app.

To work around this, the tracks need to be converted into standard audio files. ViWizard Apple Music Converter helps by removing DRM and converting Apple Music songs into common formats supported by CD burners. It can convert tracks to formats like MP3 or WAV. Batch conversion is also supported, making it easier to convert multiple songs or playlists at once.

After conversion, import the files into your CD burning software and burn your CD as usual. The tracks keep their metadata and bit rates, giving you a CD you can keep long term.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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• Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
• Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
• Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
• Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details

Step 1: Convert Apple Music Songs Using ViWizard

Step 1 Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your computer, then open the program.

Step 2 Sign in with the Apple ID linked to your Apple Music library if prompted.

Step 3 Browse your library in ViWizard and click the + button or drag and drop songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert.

Step 4 Tap Preferences, go to the Conversion section, and select MP3 as the output format. You can set the bitrate to 256 kbps or 320 kbps.

Step 5 Click Convert to remove DRM and save the songs as MP3 files. You can convert multiple tracks at once to save time.

Step 6 When the conversion is done, open the output folder to find your new MP3 files.

Step 2: Import Converted Songs Back into iTunes

Step 1 Open iTunes or the Music app on your computer.

Step 2 Click File in the top menu, then choose Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library.

Step 3 Find the folder with your converted MP3s, select the files or folder, and click Open.

Step 4 Check that the tracks appear with the correct titles, artists, and album artwork. Right-click a track and select Get Info to fix any details if needed.

Step 3: Burn a CD with Your Converted Tracks

Step 1 Insert a blank CD into your computer's disc drive.

Step 2 In iTunes, select the converted songs you want to burn, then click File and choose Burn Playlist to Disc.

Step 3 Arrange the tracks in the order you want and pick the CD format settings.

Step 4 Click Burn and wait for the process to finish. When done, eject the CD and test it on another device to make sure all tracks play correctly.

Conclusion:

With ViWizard, you can take your Apple Music collection offline in a physical format. Whether you're making a playlist for yourself or creating a gift, this tool makes it easy to get your music ready for burning to a CD. It's a great solution for anyone who wants to listen to Apple Music anytime, anywhere.