Aug 18, 2010 Update: In the comments section, folks are having problems performing CAF to MP3 conversions on PCs running Windows. Try using the free Audacity cross-platform sound editor, and see if this works for you. There are two related YouTube video clips (Clip 1 | Clip 2) that offer further assistance with using Audacity. Good luck, and let us know in the comments if this worked.
The comments in the post, Converting CAF files to MP3 has led me to write this article, which explores a similar theme, but this time, focusing on CAF files coming off iPhone Apps, and using Switch, which allows for batch conversion of these files.
Step 1 – Get sample CAF files
In TUAW’s article, VoiceNotes vs. iDicto vs. Recorder vs. Record, there are download links for two sample CAF files produced by the iDicto and VoiceNotes apps (right-click to save to your hard drive).
Step 2 – Download Switch
Switch is a free audio converter for Mac and Windows platforms.
Download the free trial, which is fully functional, but will remind you to purchase the full version.
During your first CAF conversion, the software will download additional codecs / conversion algorithms, if I remember correctly.
Step 3 – Drag the CAF file from the Finder into Switch
You could also drag multiple files in this step.
Here’s where the true power of Switch comes into play, as it is able to convert multiple files, compared to only one file at a time if you used Garageband.
Step 4 – Select the file output format, Encoder Options and output folder
In this step, you select the output format, MP3 in this example, specify the sound quality parameters in the Encoder Options, and choose a destination folder.
For the destination folder, I usually just check the “Output to same folder as source files” box if I’m certain that the source and output formats are different. This way, the original files won’t be deleted by the new ones.
For the parameters in Encoder Options, just go with the minimum necessary if you’re not in need of audiophile-level quality sound. Here’s an example:
- VBR (Variable Bit Rate).
- Minimum Bitrate: 128 kbps.
- Maximum Bitrate: 320 kbps.
- Quality: 0 (Highest).
- Stereo Encoding: Joint.
Step 5 – Run the CAF to MP3 conversion process
When you’re ready, just click the Convert button. A progress dialog box will pop up.
If all goes well, you’ll find a shiny new MP3 file in your destination folder.
Good luck!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
hey guys!
there is a problem with the ad2h264dec.dll, the error says:
the specific source format could not be read.
if I do replace the ad2h264dec.dll, I receive an error too.
Me too! Didn’t work for me at all. Any help??!! THANKS!!!
It didn’t work for me either. What should i do?
I used the Windows version and it just crashed because the file format wasn’t supported…
This is so awesome! It works beautifully. Now I can convert the files I record on my iPad into mp3 files. This is exactly what I needed.
Seems to me like it is working on mac platforms and nothing else… I tried it on windows and it can not complete the conversion.
I’m afraid this just doesn’t work for windows. Has anyone found a solution? This is SO frustrating!
it works perfect, was looking for this
)
You have to add it manually, open, click all files, then select the CAF file.
then it’ll download everything required to convert it.
nice software, it does the job, albeit not so well designed in the drag drop areas
Thanks.
(Adding iPhone alerts to my phone
Unfortunately, Switch no longer supports the .CAF format. See http://www.nch.com.au/switch/kb/1065.html for more details. I can confirm that Switch now refuses to open .CAF files.
Are there any other programs that can be used?
Okay, so I found a different solution. Instead of Switch, use the built-in command-line tool called “afconvert” to turn the file into a standard format like AIFF or WAV, and then use iTunes to convert that into MP3.
See http://www.devdaily.com/mac-os-x/convert-caf-sound-file-aif-aiff-mp3-format and http://bparanj.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-convert-wav-to-mp3.html for further information on those formats & methods.
Instead of iTunes, you could alternatively use the LAME MP3 encoder (see http://lame.sourceforge.net/ ), or maybe ffmpeg (see http://ffmpeg.org/ ).
Thank you Brad. That was very helpful.
Happy New Year!
This is excellent! Finally able to convert my .caf files to MP3. Audacity just didn’t work on Windows 7.
Thank you!
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