Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music: Making an MP3 with iTunes

Making an MP3 File with iTunes

Here's how to make an MP3 file using the iTunes program available on all Macs.

CAUTION: If your music contains sounds copyrighted by other people, and you don't have permission to use those sounds, I'd think twice about uploading an MP3 of your music to a web site. That counts as publishing, and the copyright holder may hold you accountable for your use of their sound.

Choose iTunes from the Multimedia pop-up menu in the Dock. (Because of the way iTunes is set up in our room, this often will present you with an annoying series of licence and setup windows. Just agree to the license, and cancel the Setup Assistant window.)
Choose Preferences from the iTunes menu, and click the Advanced icon.
Press the Change button, and navigate to a place where you want to put your new MP3 file. I suggest the Desktop.
Click the General icon in the Preferences dialog, and then the Import Settings button. Make sure MP3 Encoder is chosen in the Import Using pop-up menu. The Setting menu lets you control the quality (and therefore size) of the MP3s you make.
Press OK to dismiss the Preferences dialog.
Make sure Library > Music is selected in the Source list in the left part of the window.
Find your stereo sound file on the Desktop. Drag it from there into the main part of the iTunes window. Its name will appear in the list of songs.
Click once on the name of your file to select it.
From the Advanced menu, choose Create MP3 Version.
If you want, enter MP3 ID3 tag information, such as the song title and composer, into your MP3 file. To do this, select your MP3 file in the iTunes list, and choose Get Info from the File menu. Press the Info tab at the top of the window to see the information fields. Fill out at least the Name and Artist fields.
Your new MP3 file will be in a folder called "Unknown Album" inside a folder called "Unknown Artist," which is on the Desktop. Don't you appreciate that vote of confidence?