How to convert MP3 to AACs (for free)

If you (or your kids) received a ne Nintendo DSi portable gaming system over the past couple of months, then you’re likely aware it can double as a music player. One catch: it only plays AAC files instead of MP3s. If you’re looking to convert your PC’s music collection into this supported format to play on your DSi, read on for a free (and easy) way to do it.

If you (or your kids) received a ne Nintendo DSi portable gaming system over the past couple of months, then you're likely aware it can double as a music player. One catch: it only plays AAC files instead of MP3s. If you're looking to convert your PC's music collection into this supported format to play on your DSi, read on for a free (and easy) way to do it.

If you turn to your favourite search engine and type in "convert MP3 to AAC," you'll likely find many pay software options that will convert one digital audio format into another. Chances are they'll work, but why spend $10 or $20 when you don't have to?

So long as you're running iTunes, you can easily and freely convert MP3 files to AACs, before copying them to an SD memory card for your Nintendo DSi.

Here's a step-by-step on how to do it:

1. Open iTunes, select Edit, and then Preferences. Stay on this first tab (called General) and click the button that says Import Settings in the middle of the screen.

2. Now, if it's not selected by default, change the Import tab to AAC Encoder using drop-down menu. Select the desired bit rate (I recommend the highest quality, but it will take up more room on the SD card). Click OK and close the Preferences menu.

3. Go to your iTunes music library and select the tracks you want to convert to AAC. if you want to convert everything, click CTRL + A to highlight everything. When done, right-mouse click on one of the files and choose "Create AAC version." This won't delete your MP3 files (instead, you'll get both, but you can delete your MP3 files to save on disk space, if you like).

4. Finally, right-mouse click on the AAC files you want to copy to your SD card and select "Copy." Make sure your SD card is inserted into your PC, printer or memory card reader and click "Paste" onto this drive (perhaps it's called F: or G: in Windows Explorer).

That's it!

Filed Under: Computers & Software