How to use iTunes Match to upgrade audio quality

 

(Credit: Screenshot by Matt Elliott)

Accessing your iTunes library from other computers and iOS devices is the chief benefit of iTunes Match, but it's not the only benefit. You can use iTunes Match to upgrade the low-bit-rate tracks in your library to 256kbps AAC files.

After subscribing to iTunes Match and letting it back up your library, all you need to do is create a Smart Playlist to round up all the songs in your library with bit rates less than 256kbps, take the leap of faith of deleting those files, and then use iTunes Match to download 256kbps versions of the songs you just deleted. Here are the steps required to perform this audio upgrade:

Step 1: Create a Smart Playlist

(Credit: Screenshot by Matt Elliott)

Go to File > New Smart Playlist. In the first line of the playlist, choose: Bit rate is less than 256kbps.

Hit the plus sign on the right to add another parameter, and then choose: Media kind is music.

Next, create a condition by clicking on the plus sign while pressing Option. You will create two conditions. First, choose iCloud status is matched. Then hit the plus sign and for the second condition, choose iCloud status is purchased.

Click OK and from the left panel, give your new playlist a name.

Step 2: Delete all fi... [Read more]

How to use iTunes Match to upgrade audio quality
Matt Elliott
Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:18:23 GMT