How to download songs from Apple Music in AIFF format?

[schwine1]

How do I download songs from Apple Music in AIFF format using the Mac Music app on a Mac Mini Desktop computer? I downloaded an album but it's in .M4P format, not AIFF format.

Thanks for any tips on how to download songs from Apple Music in AIFF format to a Mac Mini Desktop computer.

 

[kitKAC]

Apple Music files are DRM protected, you can't get AIFF files out of Apple Music.

 

[tragicwinding]

You can convert the songs in your music library to a different format including AIFF using the Apple Music app on your Mac.
Here's how you do it:

1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences.
3. Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
4. Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose AIFF Encoder.
5. Click OK.
6. Select the songs in your library that you want to convert.
7. Choose File > Convert, then Create AIFF Version.

New song files will appear in your library next to the original files. Here's a detailed guide on Apple's support website that can help you further.

Do note that when you convert a song to certain compressed formats, some data might be lost. The sound quality might not be as good as the original, uncompressed format. You might not hear a difference between a compressed and uncompressed song, but it can depend on the song, your speakers or headphones, or your music device.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'm going to GUESS (I don't use Apple music and have never downloaded ANY song from Apple since the first release of iTunes) that you can't get totally-uncompressed files (which is what aiff is) from Apple. In other words, the files are going to "come down" with SOME kind of compression pre-applied.

If it was me, I'd choose mp3 format at the highest bitrate available (which is usually 320).

I could be wrong, and welcome correction from other "users in the know"...

 

[dogface1956]

You can convert the songs in your music library to a different format including AIFF using the Apple Music app on your Mac.
Here's how you do it:

1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. In the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences.
3. Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
4. Click the menu next to Import Using, then choose AIFF Encoder.
5. Click OK.
6. Select the songs in your library that you want to convert.
7. Choose File > Convert, then Create AIFF Version.

New song files will appear in your library next to the original files. Here's a detailed guide on Apple's support website that can help you further.

Do note that when you convert a song to certain compressed formats, some data might be lost. The sound quality might not be as good as the original, uncompressed format. You might not hear a difference between a compressed and uncompressed song, but it can depend on the song, your speakers or headphones, or your music device.

All Apple Music files are compressed so converting from AAC to AIFF will not improve the sound quality, don't know if it will make it worse, but not sure what benefit you would get converting the files to AIFF

 

[rhett7660]

Someone had a great quote in their signature line on here regarding this

All Apple Music files are compressed so converting from AAC to AIFF will not improve the sound quality, don't know if it will make it worse, but not sure what benefit you would get converting the files to AIFF

Someone had a great quote on here regarding music compression...

It went along the lines of, uncompressing a song that has been compressed, is like trying to straighten out an aluminum can that has been crushed.

I agree, you won't see a difference in quality since it is already compressed, you just be wrapping it in another container AFAIK.