iTunes stores music in a very comfortable format, “.m4a”, smaller and smarter than “.mp3”.
Sometimes it’s necessary to export from this format to MP3, and in this case using iTunes is pretty uncomfortable, because: - iTunes MP3 exporter isn’t exactly exciting
- It’s necessary to convert, copy and then remove from iTunes Library
On the other hand there are many third-party conversion tools, but arranging music is a task tipically already performed in iTunes.
I wrote this small utility in order to fill the gap, and easily convert iTunes playlists in high-quality MP3 files by keeping the entire organizational work (tagging, sequence) inside iTunes.
mehTunes is shareware, unlimited both in functions and duration.
The suggested fee is 2€/$, from within the application you can easily issue a simple and secure payment through Paypal.
© 2011-2014 Marco Balestra The perfect MP3 iTunes companion mehTunes is the easiest way to export iTunes playlist to high quality MP3 files, suitable for MP3 CD and non-apple MP3 players.
mehTunes is a stand-alone application developed in AppleScript ObjectiveC, and because of this it requires Mac OS X Snow Leopard (or newer).
It interacts with iTunes, and prompts the user for MP3 processing. Key features - Automatically interacts with iTunes and reads iTunes playlists and their “exportable” tracks
- High MP3 encodinq quality, quite better than iTunes - thanks to LAME
- Advanced file name control, with accents filter and much more
- Editable output file name, directly in track list
- Reliable preset values, reliable for launch & convert
- Great control over LAME parameters
System requirements • Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or newer
• iTunes
• 1MB on HD, plus a few temporary MB for conversion
Mac OS X up to 10.6 could use mehTunes v. 1.2
MP3 conversion: LAME mehTunes uses LAME 3.98.4 binary to deploy high-quality MP3 encoding.
LAME is released under LGPL, and is available on www.mp3dev.org
- Choose frequency between 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz
- Define “Noise shaping and psycho acoustic algorithms” parameters
- “Auto Gain” checkbox switches OFF or ON (accurate) the “ReplayGain” LAME function
- Using CBR, set Constant bitrate
- Using VBR, set minimum and maximum bitrate
- Using VBR, set compression quality in a 10 steps scale (from smaller size to higher quality)
Advanced features mehTunes offers advanced features in relation to output file naming, and several options.
Naming: - Optionally prefix filename with a fixed-width leading progressive number
- Optionally output only “safe” file names (alphanumeric characters, “ ”, "-" and "_") based upon track name
- Optionally output “safer” file names (like above, no spaces)
- Optionally output “8.3” WinDOS-like file names
- When producing “safe” versions meTunes converts a lot of accented characters into the plain equivalent
- Safe names are visible live in Track List
- Track Name in Track List is editable, changes will affect output file name
- Optionally group in Artist folders
- Optionally group in Album folders
- When using leading number and Album folder, track number is used
In addition: - Double-click to reveal original track in iTunes
- Once a track was converted, it becomes unselectable
- Double-click a converted track to reveal it in Finder
- When converting Unicode characters are converted into Latin1 ASAP, and passed to LAME for tag contents
Version history • May 2014, version 2.0 - Mavericks support
- Removed Italian localization
• May 2011, version 1.2 - Increased application responsiveness by detaching conversion process
- Conversion can now be stopped at any time
- LAME MP3 conversion progress is on display
- While selecting it’s possible to play a track
- While exporting, option to play the track under conversion
- Check/unchek menu operations no longer change selection, neither view
- Changes to naming rules no longer reload the playlist
- Fixed a possible memory overflow by stressing GUI
- Several minor GUI enhancements
- Introduced Italian localization
• April 2011, version 1.1 - Fixed a bug that could result into memory error
- Fixed a potential bug that could hardly prevent temporary folder from cleaning
- Fixed a possible error in decoding by excluding “Protected” tracks
- Fixed a possible error in decoding by enhancing detection of stereo/mono source
- Enhanced LAME quality control (“-q”) through options
- Enhanced LAME bitrate control for both VBR and CBR
- Enhanced LAME control on output Gain (ReplayGain OFF or Accurate)
- Enhanced MP3 tags by transcoding UT-8 to Latin1 while feeding LAME
- Enhanced Naming rules: As-is, Safe, Safer, 8.3 modes
- Naming safe modes now convert most part of accented characters in the plain equivalent
- Live preview of output naming in Tracks list
- Track Names in tracks list are now editable, affecting output file names
- Separate reload buttons for playlists and playlist tracks
- Better and safer defaults values for conversion
- Static strings are now Localizable
• April 2011, first release © and Credits Original software by faqintosh.com
Author: Marco Balestra
This software is provided "as is", without warranty.
It’s unlimited shareware: no license number, no limitations in features, neither in time.
Please do support shareware: it’s good, it’s useful, it’s necessary.
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