Comments on: Converting CAF files to MP3

By: JBLONGZ

JBLONGZ — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:19:50 +0000

Switch works for MOST .caf files. I managed to convert the majority of Logic Studio’s loops to mp3. There are a few files that mysteriously cause Switch to crash, only putting a minor thorn in the batch process. They were easy to locate as I could see (in alphabetical order) where the list of mp3s stopped. I simply skipped the one or two erroneous files and reset the batch. Not sure why some files don’t work, but I’m content to have successfully converted about 90%.

By: SK

SK — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:53:24 +0000

I just used Switch to convert a caf file from QuickVoice Pro on the iPhone, imported it into iTunes, and burned to CD, and all worked fine. This was a test using a band concert song, and what I need it for is recording an audition CD for my kid. Going from caf file in the Finder directly into GarageBand worked fine too.

By: Graeme Dawson

Graeme Dawson — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:21:15 +0000

I have just converted Voicenotes files from caf to mp3 using audacity recommended by Blake on the 4th March, and it works a treat, excellent recommendation.
Thanks for all the help, as it was driving me round the twist.

By: Jimmypoo

Jimmypoo — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:04:50 +0000

Please add this link to my above comment:

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/MusicAudio/Reference/CAFSpec/CAF_overview/CAF_overview.html

By: Jimmypoo

Jimmypoo — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:03:13 +0000

Remember to read about the file. The file (CAF) contains an ungodly amount of data beyond the music – for use in soundtracks or for GarageBand. It stores audio data as well as text annotations, markers, channel layouts, and other information – similar to a .AIFF or .WAVE file, but does not have a 4GB size limit and can store ***any number of audio channels**** – that’s one hell of a file, and because it is using a compression algorithm, it is not the gigantic file that was there for the previous OS (Tiger 10.4) which used a lossless format, but it required 10x the disk space per file.

The CoreAudio API is not “just another proprietary format” – if you’re working with Final Cut Pro, Shake (in the pro world) and/or GarageBand or Logic Audio (in the pro world).

Especially where creating audio masterpieces (or junk!) in Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 (or the format of your preference) is the goal!!

By: David Chin

David Chin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:53:34 +0000

@rana - try using Switch.

By: rana

rana — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:20:36 +0000

i want to covert caf to mp3 in window
how can make this?

By: adamJ

adamJ — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:33:23 +0000

By the way, my caf files came from the iPhone app called “Ambience”.

By: adamJ

adamJ — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:30:45 +0000

Ermm…. I thought it is pretty easy to convert it. Just open the caf file using QuickTime (I use version 7.1.3), then export it “Sound to Wave” to get a wav file, then use any program which converts wav to mp3. That’s what I did. I believe that it is easy to find a program which converts wav format to mp3 format.

By: David Chin

David Chin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:06:24 +0000

Everybody … try Switch and see if it works.

@Rob Mark – I don’t know why you’re not able to play CAF files in QuickTime – I downloaded an iDicto sample from TUAW and it worked fine for me.