This wikiHow teaches you how to convert a CD file into an MP3 file on your computer. CDA files are song files that can only be accessed via a CD and cannot be played on a computer without the CD, while MP3 files are audio files that can be played on almost any platform. You can use iTunes on Windows and Mac computers to convert CDA files, or Windows Media Player on Windows computers if the program is included in the operating system's installation package.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using iTunes
Step 1. Insert the audio CD you want to convert into your computer
The CD logo section should face upwards when placed in the disc cross-section.
If you are using a Mac computer, connect the USB CD drive to the computer
Step 2. Open iTunes
The program is marked by a colorful musical note icon on a white background.
If iTunes opens automatically, skip this step
Step 3. Enable MP3 conversion
iTunes can convert songs on audio CDs into MP3 files, but you'll need to activate the MP3 encoder first:
- Click the menu " Edit ” (Windows) or “ iTunes (Mac).
- Click " Preferences… ”.
- Click " Import Settings… ”.
- Click the drop-down box " Import Using ”.
- Click " MP3 Encoder ”.
- Click the button " OK ”.
- Click " OK ” to return to the page.
Step 4. Click the CD icon
It's a circular disc-shaped icon in the upper-left corner of the program window. After that, the CD page will open in iTunes.
If you haven't imported the CD into iTunes, the import process will run automatically
Step 5. Select the songs on the CD
Click the song that appears in the CD list, then press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac). This shortcut is used to select every song on the CD.
Step 6. Click File
It's in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window (Windows) or the far-left side of the menu bar (Mac). A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 7. Select Convert
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu “ File Once selected, a pop-out window will be displayed.
Step 8. Click Create MP3 Version
It's at the bottom of the pop-out window. The selected files on the CD will be immediately converted to MP3 files.
Step 9. Let the conversion process run
This process can take about a minute per song.
Step 10. Eject the CD
After the conversion process is complete, you can eject the CD. At this point, you can view the MP3 files by clicking on the tab “ Recently Added ” in the upper-left corner of the iTunes page and click CD albums.
Step 11. View the song files on the computer
All MP3 files from the CD will be stored in one folder on your computer. You can open this folder with the following steps:
- Click a song title to select a song.
- Click the menu " File ” in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window.
- Click " Show in Windows Explorer ” (Windows) or “ Show in Finder ” (Mac) to open the song storage folder.
Method 2 of 2: Using Windows Media Player
Step 1. Insert the audio CD you want to convert into your computer
The CD logo section should face upwards when placed in the disc cross-section.
If you are using a Mac computer, connect the USB CD drive to the computer
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Windows Media Player is only available for Windows computers
Step 3. Open Windows Media Player
Type windows media player into the “Start” menu, then click the “ Windows Media Player ” at the top of the “Start” menu window when it appears.
If the computer is not equipped with Windows Media Player, the program will not appear in the “Start” menu. However, you can download and use iTunes
Step 4. Select the CD
Click the CD name on the left side of the Windows Media Player window.
If the CD information cannot be accepted by Windows Media Player, click the “ Untitled album ' or something like that.
Step 5. Click Rip settings
This tab is at the top of the Windows Media Player window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Click More options…
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear after that.
Step 7. Change the save location
To change the storage directory for MP3 files from a CD, follow these steps:
- Click the button " Changes… ” on the right side of the window.
- Select a folder.
- Click " OK ”.
- Click " Apply, then select " OK ”.
Step 8. Click Rip CD
This tab is at the top of the Windows Media Player page. After that, Windows Media Player will immediately extract (rip) the song files from the CD.
Step 9. Let the CD conversion process run
This process can take about a minute per song.
Step 10. Eject the CD
After the process of extracting songs from the CD is complete, you can eject the disc and close the Windows Media Player window.
Step 11. View the MP3 files from the CD
The files will be saved in the directory you specified, in the album name folder stored in the artist name folder.
