Have you ever downloaded a song from a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music, only to find out that you can’t play it on your favorite device or share it with your friends? If so, you have encountered DRM or Digital Rights Management. DRM is a technology that publishers use to control how you use the software or content you buy or subscribe to. It has some serious drawbacks for music listeners, such as limited compatibility, offline access, and quality loss.
In this article, we will show you how to remove DRM from music files and convert them to common formats, such as MP3, WAV, or FLAC. By doing so, you will be able to play your music offline, transfer it to any device, and share it with anyone you want. You will also be able to preserve the original quality of your music files and edit them as you wish.
Content Overview
Why You Should Remove DRM from Music
What is the DRM and Its drawbacks?
DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is a technology that publishers use to control how you use the software or content you buy or subscribe to. It is meant to protect their intellectual property and prevent piracy, but it also has some serious drawbacks for music listeners.
- DRM limits the compatibility of music files
- Music files can only be played on authorized devices or apps
- Music files can’t be easily transferred to other devices
- An Internet connection is required to access music files online
- Offline downloads are restricted and may expire
Benefits of Removing DRM Protection from Music
These limitations can be very frustrating and inconvenient for music listeners, especially if you have paid for the music or have a legal right to use it. That’s why removing DRM from music files can be beneficial for you, as it can give you more freedom and control over your music. Here are some of the benefits of removing DRM from music:
Preserving ownership rights
- Legal music purchase or download
- DRM removal for unrestricted and interference-free use
Enhancing listening experience
- Offline, device-independent, and sharable music
- Format conversion, quality improvement, and editing options
Supporting fair use
- Legal doctrine for certain uses of copyrighted material
- DRM removal for original, transformative, or expressive works
Best Way to Convert DRM Music to MP3
If you want to convert DRM music to MP3 files and enjoy them freely on any device, you have 3 main options:
- Recording them while playing them
- Or using a dedicated DRM removal software.
- Online Streaming Music downloader
These methods have their pros and cons, and you should choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.
Recording music while playing it is a simple and universal way to remove DRM from any music file, as long as you can play it on your computer. It does not require any special software or technical skills, and it works for any kind of DRM protection. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as:
- It may take a long time to record a large number of music files, as you have to play them one by one
Using dedicated DRM removal software is a more efficient and professional way to remove DRM from music files, as it can batch-process multiple files at once and preserve the original quality. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as:
- It may not work for all kinds of DRM protection, as different music services use different encryption methods and formats
- It may require you to purchase different DRM removal software for different music services, as each software is designed for a specific service or platform
- It may violate the terms of service or the law of some music services or regions, as some of them prohibit or restrict the circumvention of DRM
Online Streaming Music downloader lets you download music from various streaming platforms, such as YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more. You can listen to your favorite songs offline, without ads or interruptions. But using Online Streaming Music downloaders has some risks, such as:
- It may break the law or the rules of the streaming platforms.
- It may damage the quality or safety of your files.
- It may not work with all the streaming platforms or formats you want.
Now that we have cleared that up, let’s get started with the tutorial. Here are the steps you need to follow to remove DRM from music files and enjoy them freely on any device.
How to Remove DRM from Any Music by Recording Them
In this article, we will focus on the recording method and show you how to use the Cinch Audio Recorder to remove DRM from any music service, such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Tidal.
Cinch Audio Recorder
It is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that can record any audio source and convert DRM music to MP3 format, regardless of the DRM protection. It can capture the sound from your computer and save it as a high-quality MP3 file or lossless WAV. It can also automatically identify the song title, artist, album, and genre, and edit the ID3 tags accordingly.
Here are the steps you need to follow to use the Cinch Audio Recorder to remove DRM from any music service:
Step 1: Download and install Cinch Audio Recorder from its official website. It is compatible with Windows and Mac OS.
Step 2: Launch Cinch Audio Recorder and click on the Recording icon in the top left corner.
Step 3: Open the music service that you want to record from, such as Spotify, Amazon Music, or Tidal, and log in to your account. You can use the web browser or the desktop app, as long as you can play the music on your computer and click the “play” button to start playing music.
Step 4: If you go back to Cinch Audio Recorder you will see it start recording the sound from your computer with a waving graph on the top of the interface. Cinch Audio Recorder will automatically split and save each song as a separate MP3 file. You can also pause, resume, or stop the recording at any time by clicking on the corresponding buttons on the Cinch.
Step 6: When you are done recording, click on the Stop button on the Cinch Audio Recorder. It will stop recording and show you the list of the recorded songs. You can preview, play, or delete the songs by clicking on the icons on the right side of each song. You can also edit the ID3 tags by clicking on the ID3 Editor icon. You can change the song title, artist, album, genre, and cover art as you wish.
Step 7: To access the recorded songs, click on the Folder icon in the bottom right corner. It will open the output folder where the MP3 files are stored. You can copy, move, or transfer the files to any device or app that you want, and enjoy your music without any DRM restrictions.
How to Remove DRM from iTunes and Apple Music
One way to convert DRM-protected Apple Music music to MP3 for free is to burn the music to a CD with iTunes, and then reimport the music from the CD to iTunes. This method still works with Apple’s Music app on Mac and Windows, which replaced iTunes in 2019. Here are the steps to follow:
- Create a playlist in iTunes or Music app with the Apple Music songs you want to remove DRM from.
- Insert a blank CD into your computer’s CD drive.
- Select the playlist and click on the Burn Disc button at the bottom right corner of the window.
- Choose Audio CD as the disc format and click on Burn.
- Wait for the burning process to finish and eject the CD.
- Insert the CD again and choose to import the songs to your iTunes or Music library.
- Delete the original Apple Music songs from your computer.
By doing this, you will have DRM-free versions of the Apple Music songs in your library, which you can transfer to other devices or keep forever. However, this method has some drawbacks, such as:
- It is time-consuming and tedious, especially if you have a large number of songs to convert.
- It requires a CD drive and blank CDs, which are not very common nowadays.
- It may cause some quality loss due to the conversion.
Dedicated DRM Removal for Mac
There is a Dedicated DRM Removal for Mac to convert DRM music to MP3 or other popular file formats, and that is by using AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac. This is a professional and easy-to-use tool that can remove DRM from iTunes Music and Apple Music on Mac, and convert them to common audio formats, such as MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, and WAV. With AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac, you can enjoy your music on any device or platform, and keep them forever.
How to Use AppleMacSoft to Convert DRM Music to MP3
Step 1: Download and install AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac
The first step is to download and install AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac on your Mac. You can get it from the official website: AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac.
Warning: Before you run the AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac, make sure you have authorized your Mac with your Apple ID and password.
Step 2: Add music files to AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac
The next step is to add the music files that you want to remove DRM from to AppleMacSoft. You can do this by clicking on the Add button in the top left corner of the main interface. You can select the music files that you want to convert, and click on OK.
Step 3: Choose the output format and settings
You can do this by clicking on the Settings button in the bottom right corner of the main interface. A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to customize the output parameters, such as format, quality, bitrate, sample rate, and channel.
Step 4: Start the conversion process
The final step is to start the conversion process. You can do this by clicking on the Convert button in the bottom right corner of the main interface. You will see the progress bar and the status of each file on the main interface.
How to Remove DRM from Music With Online Music Downloader
Another way to remove DRM from music is to use online streaming music downloader tools. These are web-based services that can download music from various streaming platforms, such as YouTube Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Deezer. You can use these tools to download music without DRM restrictions and convert them to common audio formats, such as MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, and WAV.
However, there are also some benefits and drawbacks of removing DRM from music online. Here are some of them:
Benefits
- Convenience: You don’t need to install any software or app on your device.
- Speed: You can download music quickly and easily, without waiting for long conversion processes. Some tools can even download music in bulk, or download playlists and albums.
Drawbacks
- Quality: You may not get the same quality as the original music files, because they download music from YouTube Music.
- Accuracy: You may not get the same music that you want to remove DRM from, especially if you download music from YouTube Music.
Best Online Streaming Music Downloader Tools
Here are some of the best online streaming music downloader tools that you can use:
- Soudloader: This is a simple and fast tool that can download music from SoundCloud. You can download music in MP3 or M4A format, and keep the original quality and metadata. You can also download playlists and albums.
- AllToMP3: This is a versatile and powerful tool that can download music from YouTube Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Deezer. You can download music in MP3 format, and get the best possible quality and metadata. You can also download playlists and albums.
- 4K YouTube to MP3: This is a user-friendly and reliable tool that can download music from YouTube Music, SoundCloud, and Vimeo. You can download music in MP3, M4A, or OGG format, and choose the quality level. You can also download playlists and channels.
How to Choose the Best DRM Music to MP3 Converter
To remove DRM from music files, we have tried different methods and tools. However, they vary in their features, performance, and compatibility. The comparison chart below shows the pros and cons of each method and tool, so you can pick the best one for your needs.
| Method/Tool | Features | Performance | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording music | Simple and universal, works for any DRM protection | Time-consuming | Depends on the playback device or app |
| Dedicated DRM removal software | Efficient and professional, preserves original quality | May not work for all DRM protection, and may require different software for different services | Depends on the encryption method or format |
| Online streaming music downloader | Convenient and fast, no software installation is required | May not get the same quality or accuracy as the original music, may be downloaded from YouTube Music | Depends on the streaming platform |
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any problems or errors while removing DRM from music files, here are some possible solutions:
- Make sure you have authorized your computer with your Apple ID and password before using the AppleMacSoft DRM Converter for Mac. You can do this by opening iTunes, and going to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough disk space before using online streaming music downloader tools. You can check your internet speed and disk space by using online tools or system utilities.
- Make sure you have the latest version of the software or app that you are using to remove DRM from music files. You can check for updates by visiting the official website or the app store of the software or app.
- Make sure you have the correct output format and settings for the converted music files. You can change the output format and settings by clicking on the Settings button in the bottom right corner of the main interface of the software or app.
- Make sure you have the proper playback device or app for the converted music files. You can transfer the files to any device or app that supports the output format, such as MP3, M4A, or FLAC.
Things to Consider Before Convert DRM Music to MP3
Removing DRM from music files is not easy or risk-free. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Legal right: DRM removal may break laws or contracts. Users should check before doing it and respect the artists and the industry.
- Consequences: DRM removal has pros and cons. Users may gain freedom but risk legal issues or penalties. Users may also hurt the artists and the industry financially and reputationally.
- Sound quality: DRM removal may change sound quality. Users should use a good method and tool and keep the original quality.
Myths and Truths About Removing DRM
There are some common myths or misconceptions that you may encounter when you try to do it. Here are some of them and the truth behind them:
Myth: Removing DRM from music is illegal.
Truth: The legality of removing DRM from music varies by location. Some places allow it for personal or fair use, while others prohibit it. Check your local laws before doing it.
Myth: Removing DRM from music is unethical.
Truth: The ethics of removing DRM from music depends on your intentions and actions. Respect the music creators and providers, and do not use their music for illegal or malicious purposes. Give them credit and compensation for their work.
Myth: Removing DRM from music will damage the quality of the music.
Truth: The quality of the music will not be affected by removing DRM, if you use a good tool. Many tools can remove DRM and convert music to common formats. These tools can keep the original quality of the music.
FAQ
Q: Can you legally remove DRM?
A: DRM is a technology that limits what you can do with digital products. The legality of removing DRM varies by country and content provider. Usually, removing DRM for personal use is OK, but sharing or selling DRM-free files is not.
Q: Is there a free DRM removal tool?
A: There are many free DRM removal tools online, but some of them are unsafe or ineffective. It is better to use a trusted and professional DRM removal tool that can protect your files.
Q: What is the best DRM removal for iTunes music?
A: One of the best DRM removal tools is Cinch Auidro Recodre, which can quickly and easily convert ANY type of DRM-protected songs without losing quality or information.
Q: How to remove DRM from ebooks?
A: Ebooks are also often protected by DRM. Different ebook platforms use different DRM types, such as Kindle, Adobe, Nook, Kobo, etc. To remove DRM from ebooks, you need a DRM removal tool that can support the specific ebook format and DRM type. One of the most popular and versatile DRM removal tools for ebooks is Calibre.
Conclusion
Removing DRM from music files can be a good idea for music lovers who want to enjoy their music on any device, platform, or app, without any restrictions or limitations. However, it is not a simple or risk-free process, and it requires careful consideration of the legal, ethical, and technical aspects.
In this article, we have shown you how to remove DRM from music files using different methods and tools, such as recording, dedicated software, and online streaming music downloaders. We have also compared the pros and cons of each method and tool, and give you some tips on how to choose the best one for your needs.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you, and that you have learned something new and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Thank you for reading!
