Programming an iTunes script for converting a playlist...

Question

I have a gigantic playlist (around 2000 songs) in iTunes that I would like to convert to 320 kbps MP3 (from low-quality AAC). What I want to do is convert all the songs in the playlist, delete the low-quality originals, and then re-import the songs into the playlist (as iTunes recognizes the converted songs as new songs and the deleted originals obviously do not remain). Seeing as Automator's default scripts for doing this are broken in iTunes 9, how would I write an Apple Script to handle this task?

I would like to avoid the painful: doing this manually, if I can help it. Thanks.

Answer 1

wow I didn't know they took away the ability to convert songs to other formats that stinks. You may be able to find a better answer at Doug's applescripts for itunes baring that you'll have to use some other software that will handle the conversion task which will hopefully be easy or powered by applescript and then use applescript to reomve the old verisons from itunes and put the new ones in

Answer 2

Since you mention you’re using iTunes 9, you do still have the ability to use mp3 as your default. (I haven’t looked at iTunes 10; I suspect the same works there.)

1. Go to iTunes:Preferences…
2. Choose Import Settings (next to “When you insert a CD”)
3. Choose Import Using MP3 Encoder
4. For Setting, choose Custom, and for Stereo Bit Rate, choose 320 kbps.

Despite being next to the CD settings, the Import Settings are for all conversions. Your Advanced menu’s convert item will change from AAC to MP3. So you can select all of your songs, convert them, and then delete the AAC versions.

Unless I’m missing something (it sounds like you only have one playlist, and you just want to convert all songs in that playlist), you wouldn’t need a script for this.