Post by: kimmer on November 16, 2016, 03:47:11 AM
When I unzipped the newest album I was surprised to discover I had WMA files instead of MP3s. I can play them with the QuickTime player, but I want them in my iTunes library so that I can move them to my iPod. I contacted the group and see if they had MP3’s that I could download, and that opened a can of worms, so here I am with questions and a rant:
First, the customer service gal wrote back and told me that she’d contacted a friend, and her own sister, as they both have Macs. These were the responses:
QUOTE
"The files saved as mp3 work fine on a mac. The one that was saved as a wva did not open without downloading a converter app. We downloaded Smart Converter which was free and then dropped the file into quick time to get it to play and it played just fine."
"It could be that she didn't "extract" the zipped files. Once she does the download from the email, which is a zipped folder, she should see somewhere on her menu to "extract all". Then she chooses where she wants them filed on the computer and should be able to play the "extracted" or "unzipped" files. That's my first guess!"
"It could be that she didn't "extract" the zipped files. Once she does the download from the email, which is a zipped folder, she should see somewhere on her menu to "extract all". Then she chooses where she wants them filed on the computer and should be able to play the "extracted" or "unzipped" files. That's my first guess!"
Honestly, the last response about not unzipping the file irked me. How did this person think I noticed they were wma files if they weren’t unzipped?
Anyhow, I ignored that and checked out “Smart Converter”. Perhaps I’m not understanding, but “Smart Converter” says it’s for video files, and I have audio files and want audio files to play in iTunes.
I did find a tip online about converting using QuickTime, and now throughout every song I hear this nice lady telling me “This is a demonstration of Flip4Mac”. To remove that, I’d have to pay for the professional version of Flip4Mac, and I don’t wish to do that.
Since they’d offered to refund my money, and I didn’t feel like messing around with a converter (personally I think that they should provide the MP3s with a digital download but I didn’t tell them that), I wrote back and requested the refund, and stated that I would wait to see if the album eventually came up for sale in the iTunes stores (several of their albums are there). I also suggested that they note on their site that this one CD was WMA files and not MP3’s.
I received a rather snippy reply back, and I’m thinking I totally don’t understand WMA files:
QUOTE
The newest CD [title deleted] was sent to us directly from the producer of the CD so although the songs are mp3s, they are in a windows format.
She also informed me that:
QUOTE
“…checked with multiple Mac owners today who also purchased both CDs and … most were able to download [title deleted] and a few did use the free version of Smart Converter.
So here are my questions:
- Are WMA files actually MP3s in a windows format? My limited understanding is that the WMA format was a windows format that microslush hoped would take over the MP3 market from Apple, and they aren't the same thing at all.
- Are WMA files audio or video?
- Am I totally misunderstanding this "Smart Converter"? If it converts to QuickTime, it's still not playable in iTunes. Has anyone tried this free version for converting WMA files to MP3’s?
- Has anyone ever converted WMA files to MP3 and been able to play music in iTunes?
And now for my real rant.
She pushed my button with this statement in her reply:
QUOTE
[Group Name] don’t provide any of their music to iTunes nor any other similar sources but that’s not to say something won’t be done illegally.
I wrote her back and told that "Since you've issued me a full refund for all the albums purchased, I’ve removed all the files from my library. I don’t keep music I’ve not paid for, nor do I purchase illegal music—and I’m fairly certain that Apple does not sell illegal music through the iTunes store.
Since some of their albums are available through the iTunes store (and at Amazon), she is either ignorant of the business side of things or implying that Apple sells illegal music. Really made me mad.
While I won't be converting this album, it would be nice to have answers to my questions.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Post by: Jack W on November 16, 2016, 06:32:58 AM
MediaHuman Audio Converter works quite well converting most audio formats.
Jack
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 16, 2016, 12:19:26 PM
Wish I could point you to a simple, easy to use solution, but I'm just not 'into' music enough to be current! I still sometimes buy real music CD's and burn copies to my own where I mix and match several different groups! I also import them into iTunes... sometimes. However, I think the last time that happened was in 2010!
OTOH, I'm hoping gunug/Paddy (or her kids) can offer some real help and comfort.
I'm going to start my own thread about frustration...
Post by: Paddy on November 16, 2016, 02:35:13 PM
Anyway - had a quick look and found this thread - it's not new, but I assume is still relevant.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4438939?tstart=0
This is the converter they mention - looks rather handy and it's free.
https://www.macroplant.com/adapter/
Post by: kimmer on November 16, 2016, 05:08:54 PM
QUOTE(Jack W @ Nov 16 2016, 05:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
MediaHuman Audio Converter works quite well converting most audio formats.
Thanks, Jack. This worked very well.
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Nov 16 2016, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The technicalities of formats and their suffix names are no for the faint of heart. Nor, apparently for the "support staff" at some music 'suppliers'. If you really want a full day of boring and confusing reading, just check Wikipedia on the music format subject.
Yeah, I tried to wade through the wiki articles and my eyes glazed over.
QUOTE(Paddy @ Nov 16 2016, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Never heard of this issue. Anyone selling music digitally is nuts if they don't provide it in a format (or formats) that work on all platforms. That's just good business sense.
Anyway - had a quick look and found this thread - it's not new, but I assume is still relevant.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4438939?tstart=0
This is the converter they mention - looks rather handy and it's free.
https://www.macroplant.com/adapter/
Anyway - had a quick look and found this thread - it's not new, but I assume is still relevant.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4438939?tstart=0
This is the converter they mention - looks rather handy and it's free.
https://www.macroplant.com/adapter/
Agree on how nuts this is, and today the lady sent me another email and said "We’re expecting the hard CD of [title deleted] by mid-December and then I’ll be able to make mp3s without the windows component (I think!)." She thinks?
Thanks for the link to the thread at Apple, I'd missed that one. I'm downloading macroplant and will give it a try. In a week or so, I may go back to this site and repurchase the music, even though they tell me to keep it. No pleasure it in at the moment.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 17, 2016, 08:36:09 AM
I suspect this group may just be using a friend with a PC (of course) to make the files from the original recordings which are probably AIF. You usually never get more than you pay for and sometimes not even that much!
Post by: kimmer on November 17, 2016, 10:45:47 AM
They both did the job, but Macroplant produced a crisper MP3 file. I don't have a fine ear for these things, but it was discernible to me using my iMac speaker(s). When transferred to my iPod and played through the Bose speakers in the other room, it was very noticeable. So I highly recommend using Macroplant.
I'm going to write back to this spokesperson and tell her what I discovered. They may have other Mac users who need help.
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Nov 17 2016, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Maybe you can make some MP3's and send them. The devil in me says just make the middle 50%, however... Or send them to me and I can put a 2 second gap in the sound every 10 seconds... or, just behave yourself!
Must admit, I actually thought along those lines.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 17, 2016, 01:04:06 PM
QUOTE
They may have other Mac users who need help.
All Mac users need help. What is a "Mac", anyway? 
Do they come with fries?! 
Post by: kimmer on November 17, 2016, 02:39:36 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Nov 17 2016, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
They may have other Mac users who need help.
All Mac users need help. What is a "Mac", anyway? Do they come with fries?! Are you confused?
A Mac is a computer sold by Apple. Direct from their web site:[attachment=3326:Mac.jpg]
Since Apple refers to them as a "Mac", what would you suggest I call them?
Post by: tacit on November 18, 2016, 02:04:28 AM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Nov 16 2016, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So here are my questions:
- Are WMA files actually MP3s in a windows format? My limited understanding is that the WMA format was a windows format that microslush hoped would take over the MP3 market from Apple, and they aren't the same thing at all.
No, WMAs are not MP3s. WMA is a proprietary Windows Media format completely unrelated to MP3.
QUOTE(kimmer @ Nov 16 2016, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Are WMA files audio or video?
WMA is Windows Media Audio. WMV is Windows Media Video. Most converter programs that can convert Windows video can also convert Windows audio, since WMA is basically WMV with no video.
QUOTE(kimmer @ Nov 16 2016, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Am I totally misunderstanding this "Smart Converter"? If it converts to QuickTime, it's still not playable in iTunes. Has anyone tried this free version for converting WMA files to MP3’s?
Correct. QuickTime-based converters will create QuickTime files, which are also not MP3s.
QuickTime is proprietary Apple. WMA is proprietary Microsoft. MP3 is made by the independent Moving Pictures Experts Group and is intended to be platform agnostic; it is an open standard that is available to everyone.
QUOTE(kimmer @ Nov 16 2016, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Has anyone ever converted WMA files to MP3 and been able to play music in iTunes?
I haven't done it, but I know it can be done.
QUOTE(kimmer @ Nov 16 2016, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And now for my real rant.
She pushed my button with this statement in her reply:
I wrote her back and told that "Since you've issued me a full refund for all the albums purchased, I’ve removed all the files from my library. I don’t keep music I’ve not paid for, nor do I purchase illegal music—and I’m fairly certain that Apple does not sell illegal music through the iTunes store.
Since some of their albums are available through the iTunes store (and at Amazon), she is either ignorant of the business side of things or implying that Apple sells illegal music. Really made me mad.
While I won't be converting this album, it would be nice to have answers to my questions. Thanks for letting me vent.
She pushed my button with this statement in her reply:
QUOTE
[Group Name] don’t provide any of their music to iTunes nor any other similar sources but that’s not to say something won’t be done illegally.
I wrote her back and told that "Since you've issued me a full refund for all the albums purchased, I’ve removed all the files from my library. I don’t keep music I’ve not paid for, nor do I purchase illegal music—and I’m fairly certain that Apple does not sell illegal music through the iTunes store.
Since some of their albums are available through the iTunes store (and at Amazon), she is either ignorant of the business side of things or implying that Apple sells illegal music. Really made me mad.
While I won't be converting this album, it would be nice to have answers to my questions.
Thanks for letting me vent.It sounds like you're dealing with a band that is completely ignorant of digital music production and distribution, who outsources all that stuff to other companies but doesn't know enough to make sure those other companies are doing their job properly.
Wish I could say that's an aberration.
Post by: kimmer on November 18, 2016, 11:28:22 AM
I'm gently "teaching" this lady about these files and finding her quite receptive. Turns out she's as frustrated as I was, because she's getting lots of complaints and didn't know how to help these folks. Now she knows about Macroplant Adaptor. I'll share your answers with her as well so that she better understands audio vs video, etc. Thanks again.