Audio editing on OSX

October 19, 2004 9:00 PM

Audio editing on OSX: I have a 30 minute long .aiff file that I'd like to break into separate tracks and convert to mp3. I know that iTunes can handle the .aiff -> .mp3 conversion. Is there software that can do the 1 .aiff -> 6 .aiffs part? Or one that can do 1 .mp3 -> 6 .mp3s if I do the conversion first?
posted by Dreama to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

You can do that in QuickTime... not sure if you need the Pro version or not. You can also do it with Peak.
posted by spilon at 9:57 PM on October 19, 2004

If you have iLife, you can do it using GarageBand. The process is a bit tedious, but it will get the job done. For each of the six output tracks, do this:
- create a new song; tempo and key are irrelevant
- create a plain audio track using "New Basic Track" on the Track menu (you won't need the stock "Grand Piano" track)
- drag your AIFF file onto the track
- move the triangle pointer to wherever you want the track to begin; select "Split" from the Edit menu
- delete the chunk to the left of the split point
- move the triangle pointer to wherever you want the track to end; select "Split" again
- delete the chunk to the right of the split point
- slide the remaining chunk all the way back to the beginning of the song
- select "Export to iTunes" from the File menu.
posted by Mars Saxman at 10:14 PM on October 19, 2004

Best answer: Could be wrong but I think Audacity will handle AIFFs and work like a charm for your needs. It's a free download, anyway, so you don't have much to lose.
posted by weston at 11:09 PM on October 19, 2004

I believe Audion will let you cut up a big mp3 into several little ones, too.
posted by bcwinters at 9:21 AM on October 20, 2004

I recommend QT Pro. Open the big AIFF, select your first chunk using the little slider things, copy, open new document, paste... IMPORTANT: export as AIFF, not save as MOV.
posted by squirrel at 10:09 AM on October 20, 2004

Best answer: iTunes can do the splitting.

Bring the big AIFF into iTunes, get info on it, and click the Options button. Change the stop and start times to reflect where you want 'Part 1' to begin and end. Now when you convert it to MP3, it will only convert the part you selected. Go back to the big AIFF and change the start and stop times, convert again, lather, rinse, repeat.
posted by toddshot at 1:50 PM on October 20, 2004 [1 favorite]

Audacity will be either simpler or more precise (or both) than any of the other suggestions.
posted by jjg at 2:50 PM on October 20, 2004

Another vote for Audacity. I don't use it for much, but it will handle your task easily and quickly. Highlight a selection and choose "Save Selection As.."
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 6:30 PM on October 20, 2004