okay tech nerds -- protected AAC music files

VintageDirt said:

You need to copy them to 8-track and then re-digitize them.

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askbobrankin said:

Method 1: Burn the track(s) to a CD, then you can open the CD in iTunes and the Convert Selection to MP3 will do exactly what you want. Just be aware that you'll have TWO copies of that song in iTunes -- one in the original AAC format and one in MP3 format. You can delete the AAC version if you like. (Note that you must burn an audio CD, not a data CD. Check the setting in Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Burning if you have a problem importing tracks from the CD.)

Method 2: If you have lots of music, you might need a big pile of CDs to convert everything with the "burn and rip" method above. That's where software can help. A "virtual CD drive" such as NoteBurner or CD Emulator can simulate a real CD burner, eliminating the need for real CD-R discs. The Windows operating system will treat the virtual drive just like a real one, so you can tell your CD burning software to access the virtual drive by it's own drive letter.

The JHymn software can also help. JHymn was created to allow you to exercise your fair-use rights under copyright law, and will free your iTunes music from DRM restrictions with no loss of sound quality. JHymn provides a drag and drop graphical interface for both Mac OSX and Windows users. But currently, JHymn will not work with iTunes Version 6 or higher. If you have an earlier version of iTunes, keep it! (To download older versions of many software titles, check the OldVersion.com or OldApps.com sites.)

Note that JHymn is not meant to aid music piracy, but it does contradict the iTunes user agreement, and may not be legal in your country. You should be aware of the legalites of DRM circumvention in your country and make your own decision whether using JHymn software is right for you. Then use JHymn only for making archival copies of your own music, for copying tracks to an MP3 player, or for playing your music on a non-Itunes platform.

NOTE: For a Jhymn alternative, check out QTFairUse for Windows, and some other options for Mac users at that link.

Along the same lines, the ImTOO Video to Audio Converter can convert AAC files to MP3. But since there is no legal AAC decoder, this program operates under the same legal cloud as JHymn.

For more information on the legalities of DRM circumvention, see
http://hymn-project.org/jhymndoc/jhymn_faq.php#legal

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