How to convert iTunes protected AAC M4P to MP3

The music files you purchased from iTunes store areunder DRM protection. You cannot play them on your own mobile devices other than iPod and iPhone. You cannot directly convert the DRM protected AAC (M4P) to MP3 with iTunes media player, either. However you can burn the M4P music files to CD-R or CD-RW disc to make an audio CD and then use some CD ripper software to convert the audio CD track back to MP3. iTunes allows you to burn the protected AAC music files to CD-R or CD-RW disc to make a standard audio CD. If you have only a few music files, you can use the method below:

1. Insert a CD-R or CD-RW disc into your CD-ROM drive. You'd better use CD-RW disc as it can be used for more than once.
2. Burn your playlist to make an audio CD. You cannot select the "MP3 CD" option since it requires the protected music files be converted to unprotected MP3 files.
3. After the audio CD is successfully burned, insert the disc into your CD-ROM drive again. Then you can use iTunes to import the music tracks on the burned disc to MP3 files.
4. Copy the MP3 files to media players such as cell phone, Zune, BlackBerry, PSP, Creative Zen, etc.

These four steps seem very simple, however, it is a time consuming process if you have a library of M4P music files ready to be converted. Moreover, the information about the music files like title, artist and album will be lost after burning and ripping back to MP3 files.

TuneClone is the software you are looking for if you have a big collection of iTunes M4P music to be converted to MP3. It automatically generates a virtual CD drive and simulates the burning and ripping process. All you need to do is install TuneClone and then burn your playlist to TuneClone virtual CD burner. And TuneClone will directly convert the M4P files to MP3. It is very fast and the music metadata information about artist, album and title will be well preserved.