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Converting .aa files to mp3's
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CapnYuri
Newbie
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5. April 2006 @ 15:54 |
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Thanks. I will try that. In the meantime I have finally succesfully converted .aa to .wma using dbPowerAmp. Couldn't do it for .aa to .mp3.But I can use .wma on my player. Quality sort of bad but that's because I set it for the smallest file. I feel like I have climbed Mt. Everest. Now back to Goldwave! CY
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DMeenach
Newbie
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5. April 2006 @ 16:47 |
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I have a question. Pardon me if this has been asked and answered before. How does one convert an iTunes MPEG-4 (protected) to an mp3 or WAV format? iTunes says I may make copies, but how??
Keeping it short, but more to come,
Dennis
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nerys
Junior Member
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5. April 2006 @ 17:12 |
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as far as I know there is no way to do this.
there is a DOUBLE conversion way to do it (burn to CD rip as MP3)
but this converts it TWICE making it sound worse than itunes AAC does already and to keep from losing TOO much your forced to make the mp3 a redicioulously high bitrate to try to reduce the damage.
solution is easy DONT buy worthless music (and any content with DRM is worthless) it has ZERO value you DONT own it and you have NO rights to it EVER. they can change the terms ANY time they please.
Use allofmp3.com or better youet BUY the CD's !! it cheaper better quality and you have the RIGHT to do anything you want with it.
Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/
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DMeenach
Newbie
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5. April 2006 @ 19:18 |
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Good info, thanks. It's just sooooo convenient to download almost anything for $.99
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jets80bd
Newbie
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14. April 2006 @ 23:08 |
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i downloaded goldwave and also installed goldwave, however, when i try to convert .aa files to mp3 it doesnt recognize the file they are audible files that my friend recorded on dvd when i drag them into goldwave and start batch processing all i get when i play them is noise and static...any suggestions?
benjamin Rich
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noushina
Newbie
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15. April 2006 @ 13:42 |
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The files are encrypted. If you have Audible Manager installed and you have ownership of the file, then should be able to drag it into goldwave
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noushina
Newbie
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15. April 2006 @ 14:18 |
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Time to repost the GoldWave instructions found earlier in this thread. I have reformatted.
CREDIT goes to: timekills, rmgott, sadievan
If you have purchased Audible Books, then you know it is difficult to make a backup copy of the proprietary AA format. Likewise it is difficult to share them (if you happen to know anyone who actually likes to read the same garbage that you do
It turns out that GoldWave does a marvelous job.
Quote:
0) Now there is not a hack that I know of, so you need to own the audio book, and have a working version of Audible installed on your computer.
1) Open the AA file. The format is not listed, but just scroll to the bottom of the file types window and select ALL.
2) You should be able to open the file. A small "Audible" window will open.
3) Save the file in the format of your choosing.
You can autosplit the file as you convert and save. I like to put them into 10 minute segments.
Useful is for you to first set the default save feature for GoldWave (C/P follows):
1.1 Go to Options, then File Formats, then the tab for Default Save Format
1.2 In the drop down box Save as type: select MP3
1.3 Click on the word Attributes, just before the next box.
Note: (Mode 4 of the Audible files (the highest quality) is approximately equal to MP3 at mono, 11 Khz, 32 Kbps, and the others are lower. Technically you could use that same MP3 setting, but best to play it safe and give it some room to breathe with the VBR. If you have an MP3 player that can not play VBR, I'd suggest 11 Khz, CBR, 40 Kbps).
1.4 Create a new MP3 setting of: Sampling Rate: 12000 KHZ; Channels: Mono; bitrate range: 24000 to 56000 bps (i.e. 24-56 Kbps); VBR quality: 3
1.5 If you like, you can name this setting as a preset in the Presets box, and then click the + sign
1-6 Click OK, and then when you are back in the Default Save Format box, make sure you put a check in the box for Use this format for Save As, Save Selection As, and Copy To
Now Split the AA file as it converts and saves: (another C/P)
Quote:
1. Open Tools / Cue Points
2. Click on Auto Cue on the lower right hand side
3.1 Set Threshhold to -32.0 (this defines what is considered silence - below a certain dB)
3.2 Set Minimum Length to 0.50 (this is the length of the silence)
3.3 Set Minimum Separation i.e. 3:00.00 (this is how long your segment or tracks will roughly be) [I use 10:00.00 to get 10 minute segments]
3.4 Set Cue Placement at 50% (this is how much room you are giving it to find a silent spot - some sections will be
i.e. 3:04 or 3:02 etc.)
4. Select Ok and it will calculate all of the Cue Points
5.1 Click on split file, choose the directory you want the split mp3 put into.
5.2 Click on Use base filename
5.3 Click on Use file's current format and attributes.
6.1 Suggest that you start the file numbering at 001 rather than 1 so as to avoid text sorting issues.
6.2 Click the choice for Use default save format and attributes. This has it save the file in your default format (i.e. the MP3 format you chose as default in steps 1-1 to 1-6)
7. Click Ok and it will convert and split your AA book into MP3
Conversion takes 2 to 3 minutes for each hour of your audio book.
Humorous side note. The attorneys for Audible contacted the admin at the forum where I got this and tried to force him to remove this info claiming that it was a violation of the DMA. The same lawyers managed to get one software provider to remove the AA decoding. Goldwave however, using Digital rights management and only decodes if you have the ownership info in your registry. So there is no violation. There may be a contract violation between you and Audible, but certainly no violation of US law. (God forbid we should even think of violating the DMA )
The legal attempts at extortion pissed me off and so that is why I am making this info available here -- to help make sure that it is propogated. I have been struggling with Audible for 3 years. I like the content but not their attempts to keep me from even making a backup of items I have actually purchased. If they went out of business and I could not make a backup up, then SOL, because a computer that has not been authorized over the internet by them would not be able to play the books.
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jadoglio
Newbie
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16. April 2006 @ 10:37 |
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I bought Total Audio Converter. It works well on .aa files and is easy to use. The only problem is that if you want cue points or chapters you still need GoldWave or mp3po. For $20 it is a pretty nifty program.
http://www.coolutils.com/TotalAudioConverter
JADO
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noushina
Newbie
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16. April 2006 @ 10:41 |
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Thanks.
I imagine a mod will kill your live link, so let me post it again in a non live format.
/http://www.coolutils.com/TotalAudioConverter
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ezug
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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17. April 2006 @ 07:39 |
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thanks, noushina, for so clearly laying out Goldwave steps to convert aa files to mp3. I am a total newbie to this site but am fairly comfortable running software in general - I just downloaded Goldwave v. 5.13. I do subscribe to Audible and do have ownership of the books I am trying to convert to mp3.
Please forgive my ignorance on some of this, however.I don't get the "audible window" you mention in your step 2 - I get a message that Goldwave doesn't recognize the file format and asks me to specify raw or vox. Then it asks me to choose attributes - I stay with the default on that. I had earlier followed your steps to specify the Default Save Format.
Have followed your cue point instructions as well. All seemed to work fine until I tried to play it back and got total static.
I know Audible files are encrypted, but thought having the Audible software installed and operative would allow me to do this conversion.
Thanks for whatever mistake you can tell me I'm making :)
liz
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jadoglio
Newbie
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17. April 2006 @ 08:02 |
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Make sure the file MSVCI70.dll is located in your c:\Windows\system32 folder. If you need the file you can download it from a DLL site. Just use Google and search on DLL Files to find it.
JADO
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ezug
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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17. April 2006 @ 09:40 |
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Thanks for your thought - it doesn't seem to have made a difference. Once I drag an Audible aa file into goldwave, i get the message again that it can't read the file format and asks me to choose vox or raw(something like that)- i leave it at the default - could that be what is wrong? What attributes should i follow for that box?
Also, after trying this last night, i was prompted to download a LAME mp3 decoder, I think. Not sure how that comes into play.
All I get when i do play is a high pitched static, even though it says file format is now mp3.
Sorry to be dense; just trying to figure out what else i should be doing differently.
thanks!
liz
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kubicek
Newbie
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17. April 2006 @ 11:55 |
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Hi,
I'm a freelance programmer with mostly audio-related knowhow. I would like to subscribe to Audible but not sooner than I have a simple and easy way of playing their stuff on my current player, iAudio G3, which - like many otherwise great and expensive players out there - doesn't support AA's DRM'd format natively. I've decided to create a single-purpose utility to de-DRM Audible format (or convert it to MP3). I prefer programming in plain C from which everybody could benefit, as the tool would be multiplatform, running both on Linux and Windows.
The thing is I need a sample file of each format for analysis and later testing. Is there anybody who could send me one file of the type 1-3 (ACELP codec) and one type 4 (MP3 codec)??
I sure would be thankful for the help. In fact all of us, trying to protect our rights to listen to the content we PAID for any way we like.
The tool will work in "batch" mode, converting more files in one go, e.g. you'd specify a directory of source AA files and a destination dir for decrypted/converted content. Your future suggestions will be taken into account and I will release all versions on this forum as thanks for your participation and help on this opensource project. The source code will of course be licensed under GNU GPL allowing you to use/redistribute/modify it freely.
Thanks for your support, guys!!
David
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noushina
Newbie
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17. April 2006 @ 13:55 |
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Ezuk. Sorry. I have no idea. I just drag them into the window and it works. I am not seeing a little audible window now either. Strange. It's just a tiny pop up. I assume its related to the DRM.
You dont need to worry about cue points. That is only so you can split the file. Just load it and try to play it. If you can play it then you can save it in whatever format. That you don't have the Lame encoder means you can't save as mp3. But I think your issue is that you cant even read it.
Does anyone know if Goldwave 5.13 works? Ezuk is using 5.13. I'm using 5.10.
Kubicek. WHile I believe I have a right to make a legitimate copy of my own ebooks, I also beleive that I have probably agreed to be bound to the audible contract which probably says I SHALL not decrypt or decode the data or some such sh-t. Giving you a copy of any file including the free ones with my name attached would personally identify me.
It costs $10 to join audible (it used to be free). Then you can download the a $0 cost book. If you intend to join audible anyhow and are confident in your abilities, then join and buy. I think most of us have already made backups of our audible books. It takes 2 minutes to the hour with GoldWave.
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nerys
Junior Member
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17. April 2006 @ 16:38 |
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Agreed its easy to get audible files legitimately.
also note I dont recognize the part of any agreement with audible to not decrypt. That is called fair use and is protected by law and since any agreement with audible is one sided (you can not negotiate the agreement) its not an agreement to me. its an acceptance of ultimatum style terms.
Fair Use trumps. Its the law and the law trumps contracts. as far as I am concerned fair use dictates my personal use and the "contract" dictates my non personal use only.
that contract says I cant give you the files and giving you the files is non personal.
I would really love to see a simple utility that strips the DRM and leaves a NON ReEncoded original quality MP3
that would be very nice. I have a VERY large collection of expensive audible books (paid $12.95 a month for 3 years !!) would really suck to see it go poof if audible goes poof and I can not "authenticate" my purchased property.
Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/
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jadoglio
Newbie
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17. April 2006 @ 18:02 |
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Again, if all you want to do it conver aa files to MP3 Total Audio Converter did a great job and was very easy to use.
JADO
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nerys
Junior Member
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17. April 2006 @ 20:08 |
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I dont want to "convert" this requires that I either loose a ton of quality (yes I can hear it quite noticably) or end up with a much much larger file.
Type 4 is basically mp3 so I am hoping there is a way to strip the DRM and end up with a file that an mp3 player can play WITHOUT having to "convert" ie "recompress" the file :-)
Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/
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ezug
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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17. April 2006 @ 20:39 |
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Thanks, all, for all the suggestions. I'm almost there! Found that I was missing the couple of .dll files everyone keeps referring to, so downloaded and installed those as well as the AudibleMediaPlayerfilter.exe.
All works well now with both GoldWave and Total Audio Converter, except that the converted mp3 file starts somewhere strange, not at the beginning of the book. I know I am missing info - not quite sure where it has started.
Can't figure out why it's not starting at the begining - any thoughts? When I play the file through my iTunes or Audible Manager, it seems to start fine.
Thanks, noushina, for all the help - I have followed instructions you posted. Any other thoughts?
Almost there!
Liz
liz
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jadoglio
Newbie
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18. April 2006 @ 03:52 |
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Before converting the file make sure you rewind it to the beginning and then stop the playback there. You can also delete the bookmark file Audible leaves which will also solve the probem. The file name and instructions are int this thread in about a hundred places. Sorry I don't have time to look for them now. Good Luck
JADO
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ezug
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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18. April 2006 @ 05:39 |
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Yayyy! It all worked - thank you all your several suggestions. Wish I knew enough to be of more help here, but I am grateful for your responses and help!
Have a great day-
liz
liz
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IJKMan
Newbie
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21. April 2006 @ 19:00 |
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Has Audible has recently changed its security? I have been using GW for a long time, but recently some files can no longer be opened. Anyone else had this experience?
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chrislove
Newbie
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3. May 2006 @ 21:03 |
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Alright I'm new here.
I have spent a lot of time reading this entire thread and trying everything suggested in order to listen to my Audible books in my car mp3 player.
Obviously I've had no luck since I'm posting here.
All links that supposedly direct to older versions of RiverPast all begin downloading the latest version--6.5
I've downloaded five different conversion programs, none of which will do it for me. Most will convert but leave me with a high-pitched static filled mp3. Total Audio Converter insists I download an Audible codec. (Is this the LAME codec I keep seeing mentioned? If not, what IS the LAME codec?)
Whenever I try to install this Audible codec, I get a message saying "Error Copying Files."
I'm getting ready to pull my hair out. I agree with those saying that Audible is losing business by limiting the possibility of using other formats. I joined Audible.com only to listen to books in my car. If I can't do that, they will lose my business.
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noushina
Newbie
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4. May 2006 @ 02:36 |
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Is audible installed on the computer you are trying to use to reformat the files? If you can play your books with audible then the audible codec is installed and working on your computer. If you answer yes, then I have no other suggestions.
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corps
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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4. May 2006 @ 04:03 |
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Chrislove
If you have the problem with static sound on the conversion you need to download one more file to get it to work - a link can be found on the total audio converter web site. it basically seems to enable media player to play .aa files. Anything you may be using for the conversion appears to convert the file using a decoder in media player. Before i downloaded it nothing worked - after everything did (goldwave, avone etc.)
http://download.audible.com/webinstall/AudibleMediaPlayerFilter.exe
Cheers and good luck
Corps
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chrislove
Newbie
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14. May 2006 @ 19:10 |
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Okay, soon after I posted my last message I got dbPowerAmp to work by getting a missing "dll" file. And it finally worked!
Soon after that, I installed a new hard drive and had to start over. No problem right?
I installed everything onto my new harddrive (Audible, dbPowerAmp, the dll file, the Lame codec). Now when I open dbPowerAmp, I can't open aa files with it for some reason. My only choices are "Music files and playlists," Auxiliary, CD audio (.cda), mpg, mpa, mpga, mpx, mp1, mp2, mp3, and wav. None of these will show me the aa files in my folder. Yes it's the correct folder, I've checked a dozen times. Any clue what I'm doing wrong this time?
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