Tutorial - How to import files from iTunes

Finding the location and format of your iTunes files
The iTunes Library is not a collection of actual files, but a collection of links to the actual physical location of the files on your hard drive. To view the actual location of your iTunes files and what format they are in:
 * 1) Right click or control-click over the file in the iTunes window
 * 2) Click "Show in Windows Explorer" or "Show in Finder"
 * 3) The new window will have the file selected in the correct folder. Windows by default may not show the file format, but you can right-click the file and hit "Properties" to show the file details.

Importing WAV, AIFF and MP3 files
You can drag WAV, AIFF and MP3 files from iTunes into the Audacity window.

Or, import these files into Audacity thus:


 * 1) Launch Audacity
 * 2) Click
 * 3) Navigate to the actual location of the file
 * 4) Select the file by clicking on it
 * 5) Click Open.

Importing M4A (AAC) and MP4 files
M4A and MP4 files can be imported into Audacity on Mac OS X as shipped.

On Windows and GNU/Linux you need to download and install the optional FFmpeg library. See the Windows or Linux instructions.

Then drag and drop files from iTunes into the Audacity window, or use to import files from the location stated in iTunes.

Importing protected M4P files
Before 2009 iTunes Store was selling audio files with DRM (copyright) protection. Any file that has an M4P extension is protected, and some files with AAC extension may also be protected. Protected files cannot be directly converted to another format in iTunes.

There are two main solutions:
 * You can burn the files to an audio CD in iTunes, then extract/rip the CD tracks to WAV or AIFF.
 * Alternatively you can play the files in iTunes and record them with Audacity.

Exporting the audio back to iTunes/iPod
See the tutorial Exporting to iTunes.