Download.it search icon

Free software that converts audio files from DRM protected file formats to unprotected file formats

Free software that converts audio files from DRM protected file formats to unprotected file formats

Vote: (51 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: ThunderSoft

Version: 2.11.7.1884

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(51 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

ThunderSoft

2.11.7.1884

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Preserves the original quality of the recording
  • Works with both stereo and mono files
  • Comes with a batch conversion module
  • May be able to convert books that are DRM protected

Cons

  • Doesn't always preserve chapter information
  • Won't work with Windows media files

Free Audiobook Converter is a multimedia conversion utility that lets users swap recordings from one format to another. While it's technically geared toward those who often listen to talking books, the software can actually work with any audio recording that's in one of the formats it supports. Since it works with both stereo and monaural files, it could even be used to convert music files if desired.

The specific list of formats that the software handles is quite long. Standard audiobook extensions like M4A and M4B work out of the box, as does MP3 and WAV. While Free Audiobook Converter can only preserve chapter information from M4A and MKA files, it can still work with AAC, FLAC and OGG files. Even ISDN technologies like AU and AIFF enjoy at least limited support from the software, so those who might have downloaded an older talking book off the web can often get it working with more modern hardware.

Longer books may take an extreme amount of time to complete, so Free Audiobook Converter can actually shut a machine down after it finishes converting files. The software may also be able to change the bit and sample rate of any file it loads. While this kind of conversion may require some additional technical know-how, it should prove extremely useful for users who've run into peculiar edge cases.

Basic conversions don't have much of a learning curve at all. You can simply drag and drop source files onto the main window to pick audibooks that you'd like to convert. Perhaps the most important feature is the ability to remove digital rights management algorithms from audiobooks that have been encumbered by them.

DRM-protected talking books come with severe restrictions. Running them through through Free Audiobook Converter might give you the freedom to play them on any device. If you convert them to MP3 or WAV, then you could even load them onto a USB drive for playback on smart speakers and television sets. Tech-savvy users could even take one of these freed talking books and listen to it with an in-car stereo system if they make sure to configure the converter's settings just right. Since it helps to eliminate DRM from audiobooks stored in several different file formats, the software might be useful to those who share content with other users over a network.

Though it can take a bit of practice to get all of the utility's features memorized, it shouldn't take most users very long to get up and running with Free Audiobook Converter. They might even be able to just stick with the defaults and have their entire collection of talking books converted automatically.

Pros

  • Preserves the original quality of the recording
  • Works with both stereo and mono files
  • Comes with a batch conversion module
  • May be able to convert books that are DRM protected

Cons

  • Doesn't always preserve chapter information
  • Won't work with Windows media files