How to convert APE+CUE to MP3

Monkey's Audio, or APE is acclaimed open format for lossless compression of audio data. Compared to FLAC, Monkey’s Audio provides a bit higher compression for the cost of encoding/decoding symmetry. This means a typical APE file requires the same resources to decode and play it as resources needed to encode it. That is why many people ask how to convert APE to MP3 easily. Indeed, despite MP3 is lossy, it can be played on the majority of computers and handheld players. Here is a step by step guide to convert files from APE to the MP3 format.

This guide has been written using the Mac version of the program, but the steps for Windows are the same

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  1. Add an APE file

    Download and run MediaHuman Audio Converter, and click the Add button on the toolbar. Select the file you want converted. Alternatively, simply drag the desired file to the Audio Converter’s window.

    Add APE files you want to convert
  2. CUE splitting

    If the folder containing an APE file also has a CUE file (it's often called (image+.cue)), the program suggests splitting APE to individual tracks.

    Split APE using CUE information
  3. Choose the output format

    With the source file selected, click the dropdown button on the toolbar to select the output format for conversion. By default it is MP3, so we don’t have to change anything. Although, if the Format button says something else than MP3, click it to select MP3 instead.

    Note: Clicking the arrow allows you to see the last used output formats.

    Select MP3 format
  4. Choose the format settings

    Depending on quality you need, select the bitrate of the file, sample rate and the number of channels. Note that the program remembers your choice, so you can select one of the previously defined combinations of settings, or Customize a new one and save it for later use.

    Set additional format settings
  5. Run conversion

    Simply click the Convert button and wait for the process to finish.

    Begin conversion
  6. While you’re waiting...

    Audio Converter is extremely fast thanks to full-scale computation squeezing the most from your CPU – however many cores it has. You can configure this behavior in Preferences.

    Converting APE to MP3
  7. Converting is done

    Ok, here we go. The APE file is successfully converted to MP3. Now, if you want to see the local folder containing the file, click the Locate button (the one with the magnifier).

    Use locate button to open containing folder

As you see, converting APE to MP3 and splitting it to individual tracks is really easy with MediaHuman Audio Converter. You can also use the program to perform other format to format conversions.

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