Import Audio CD Songs into Music on Mac

At a glance

This guide explains how to import songs from a physical audio CD into the Music app on Mac, focusing on MP3 format selection, importing only desired tracks, and using error correction if needed. Includes step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips, and an example scenario for practical use.

In this guide

1. requirements and preparation
2. configure import settings (including MP3 option)
3. select what happens when inserting a CD
4. import only specific tracks from the disc
5. manage errors and ensure quality
6. verify and organize imported files
7. advanced tips and additional troubleshooting
8. take your next step

requirements and preparation

To import songs from a physical audio CD into the Music app on your Mac, you need:

• A Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.
• The physical audio CD you want to import.
• A built-in or external CD/DVD drive connected to your Mac.
• The Music app installed (standard on macOS Catalina and newer).

Ensure your Mac recognizes the drive and that the CD is clean before proceeding.

configure import settings (including MP3 option)

By default, the Music app on Mac imports CD tracks using the AAC format, but you can change these settings to import tracks in MP3 format if desired. According to the official Apple support guide, follow these steps to adjust your import preferences:

1. Open the Music app.
2. In the menu bar, click Music > Settings.
3. Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
4. In the popup, choose MP3 Encoder from the 'Import Using' dropdown menu. You can select desired quality (e.g., 'Good Quality (128 kbps)' or 'Higher Quality (192 kbps)').
5. Click OK to apply your choice.

These steps ensure that all songs imported afterward will use the MP3 format. Remember, this setting persists across imports until you change it again.

select what happens when inserting a CD

You can decide how the Music app responds when you insert an audio CD. For fine control (such as picking specific songs), select the option that shows the CD without automatic import. You can change this setting by:

1. In the Music app, go to Music > Settings > General.
2. Find the 'When a CD is inserted' menu.
3. Choose Show CD or Ask to Import CD (recommended for selecting individual tracks).

This setup prevents the app from immediately importing all tracks, giving you the chance to choose.

import only specific tracks from the disc

When you insert your CD, its tracklist - including artist and song names if the internet is available - appears under 'Devices' in the Music app sidebar. To select only certain tracks for import:

1. After inserting the CD, if prompted to import the whole CD, click No.
2. Check the song list. If you do not see checkboxes next to each song, enable them via Music > Settings > General, and ensure 'Songs list tickboxes' is active.
3. Uncheck the boxes beside any tracks you do not wish to import - they will be skipped.
4. Click Import CD. Only the selected (ticked) tracks will be imported using your chosen MP3 settings.

You may use your Mac for other tasks while tracks are importing.

manage errors and ensure quality

If you encounter issues - such as read errors or audible pops in imported tracks - you can enable error correction during the import process. While enabling error correction may slow the process, it helps with scratched or dirty CDs:

1. In the Music app, open Settings, then Files > Import Settings.
2. Tick the box for Use error correction when reading Audio CDs.
3. Click OK, then attempt to re-import the problematic tracks.

If a specific track takes a long time (much more than 10 minutes), clean the disc with a lint-free cloth and try again. If repeated errors occur, test the disc in another drive if available, or refer to additional Music app troubleshooting tips.

Example: Jenny is importing her favorite 90s pop album. She only wants tracks 1, 3, and 7, and wants them as MP3s for her phone. She adjusts the import settings to MP3 format, chooses 'Show CD' on insert, unchecks all tracks except the desired ones, and clicks 'Import CD.' When a couple of tracks give errors, she turns on error correction and successfully re-imports them.

verify and organize imported files

After importing, double-check your tracks before deleting originals or further editing:

• Locate the newly imported tracks in your Music library (under Recently Added or search for album/title).
• Right-click a song and select Get Info to ensure its format is MP3 and that metadata (artist, album, etc.) matches the CD.
• Listen briefly to check for skips or unwanted noise, especially on tracks imported with error correction.

If satisfied, you may use these MP3 files with AirDrop for device transfer (see guide), or incorporate them into custom playlists.

advanced tips and additional troubleshooting

• If tracks appear as "Track 01" instead of their real titles, your Mac may not be connected to the internet. Track info can be corrected manually after import.
• To avoid duplicate files in your library, check for existing versions before importing or use the library’s duplicate finder feature.
• For guidance on handling file types on other platforms, such as verifying extensions before renaming, review this article about Windows music files.

take your next step

Try importing a single CD track to confirm your Music app’s import settings deliver the desired quality and file format. Once verified, repeat the process for your favorite albums, confident you'll have MP3 files ready for all your music needs.