audio books in MP3 format

[J D]

I have recently purchased and downloaded an audio book from audible.com in MP3 format. It was not split into chapters and so I wanted to split it up into chapters using Audacity. However, when I imported/opened the file in Audacity and played it (before splitting it up) it zooms through the entire book (I'm guessing) within 3 seconds or so...it sounds kind of like R2 D2 from Star Wars when I play it =)

[steve]

It sounds like it is not really an MP3, possibly a WMA file or AAC?
If you are on Windows, right click on the file and select properties, then look at the Advanced audio properties - it should tell you what the audio format is.

[J D]

You're right, it's not an MP3 file. In the properties it says it's an AA file. And then under audio format it says it's Format 4. Any advice on that?

[kozikowski]

In Windows, you can get Switch or Super (Google) to do it for you. On a Mac, you can get iTunes to convert.

Koz

[J D]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

[steve]

"SUPER" is by erightsoft. (free media encoder/decoder)
Also there is FooBar 2000 - a free audio player / format converter.

[J D]

I downloaded both programs (Switch and Super) but so far every approach I've tried hasn't worked. Neither one of those programs recognize those files. But it could easily be that I'm not doing something right because I have no experience with those programs. Any more tips?

[steve]

I've found out what your problem is:

Digital Rights Management

Audible's .aa file format encapsulates sound encoded in either MP3 or the ACELP speech codec, but includes unauthorized playback prevention by means of an Audible user name and password, which can be used on up to three computers at a time. Licenses are available for schools and libraries. Audible's software does enable users to burn a limited number of CDs for unrestricted playback.

Audible's use of digital rights management on its .aa format has earned it criticism[13]. While multiple software products are capable of removing the Audible DRM protection by re-encoding in other formats[14], Audible has been quick to threaten the software makers with lawsuits for discussing or promoting this ability, as happened with River Past Corp and GoldWave Inc[15]. Responses have varied, with River Past removing the capability from their software, and GoldWave retaining the capability, but censoring discussions about the ability in its support forums. But there are still many other software tools from non-US countries which bypass the DRM control of Audible either with a sound recording or virtual CD burning method. Typical examples are TuneBite, SoundTaxi, NoteCable (sound recording) and Phantom Burner, NoteBurner, Tune4Mac (virtual CD burning).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audible.com

It looks like we are not even allowed to discus this without the threat of being sued.

Apparently, you may have the right to make one single CD copy - you may need to ask audible.com how to do that.

On a completely unrelated matter - CD's and MP3's that are played on external devices (stand alone CD players and MP3 players) can be recorded onto your computer in exactly the same way as recording from a turntable, cassette player, or any other analogue source. The recorded audio can then be edited in the normal way.

My personal view would be to never ever buy anything from audible.com In my opinion, if you buy something, then you should have the right to use it (for personal use) in any way that you like.

[J D]

Thank you very much for sharing your insight! I hadn't thought about burning a CD and then loading that CD into Audacity and editing it. I will try that.
Does iTunes handle their stuff the same way that Audible does?

[kozikowski]

iTunes will let you create a playlist of your music and then burn the playlist to a limited number of Music CDs.

Koz