Maximum PC

Looking for a program that would convert the .wma and possibly .m4a files into .mp3.

I currently have EAC with LAME to convert .wav. I am using Mediamonkey in an attempt to keep everything organized. I have surpassed my 30 day trial on Mediamonkey.

I may end up buying Mediamonkey. I am pretty happy with the controls that it offers compared to iTunes. Just wanted to see if there was a converter that was free before upgrading mediamonkey.

Thanks

The simplest way to convert most media files to another is with a free utility called Format Factory.

Converting .m4a or .wav to .mp3 is just a few simple mouse clicks. This free utility is powerful enough to convert an entire music video to audio only (Yeah, .flv to .mp3!!)

I have yet to find a better media converter with as simple a learning curve. And it is FREE!!

I hope you know that you can replace the included encoder with the free LAME encoder. MM has been that way since the beginning.

Thanks for the suggestions brb011 and kleinkinstein. I will check out those two programs.

Airheadq -- I understand that LAME can be added to MM and have it currently set up that way. The problem I was running into (when trying to convert files in MM) was that MM was asking me to upgrade. This happened due to my initial 30-day trial expiring. The only functionality that I have found so far to be turned off is file conversion.

That's funny, since I just downloaded the current free version, replaced the included encode with LAME, then converted a sample .wma file to .mp3 and nothing at all popped up.

really?

I have a seemingly dumb question for the mediaphiles in this thread.

When I create or manipulate a video, I use Sony’s Vegas Movie Studio. Vegas tends to have issues with .avi files so I convert them to .mp4 for flawless editing.

Also, the final rendered video is .mp4. If I give a copy of my video to a friend and I know they don’t have QuickTime, I’ll convert it back to .avi so it will play in their Windows Media Player.

It’s the same for .wav to .mp3 or .bmp to .jpg. Format Factory will even do .flv to animated .gif!

I guess my question it this: If converting media is such a simple task as with the Format Factory app I’ve been pimping, why are there so many tasks that need to be overcome?

What am I missing?

Am I wrong to promote software that simply ‘converts’?

I'm not against it, but at least for me there wasn't an all-in-one application that would convert the masses of files out there. I had to learn, play and tweak codecs/settings among other things, just having a basic GUI doesn't work for everyone. But in this case, not only is the functionality built into the application the OP is using it's overall better since it's made for music.

/derail

With all the ‘tech-talk’, I feared I may be sending people in the wrong direction.

You’ve helped to remove that fear.

Thanks mang!!

Don't get ahead of yourself now. Pitching it as an end all solution really isn't the best way. It sounds like your a rep for the program.

Rep for the program? Yeah, I wish. lol

I understand there are folks like you that are able to tweak and finesse a codec for optimum performance. I think that is a cool skill.

In the future, if I need such help, I now know I have a confident collaborator I can turn to.

You have been helpful on several levels. Again, I thank you.