mp3 files help

[TheAnswerIs42]

Hey guys! I need help, but I don't have time to ask the real board, so maybe someone on here can help me out. I am making a slideshow on Windows Picture Story (which is a crappy program, but the best I have) and I need songs in mp3 format for it. The problem is that last year when I did that, I tried downloading songs and they wouldn't work since they were either copyright protected, or in the wrong format. I tried itunes, and I think downloading from 101.9 The End's website. The only thing that worked was using CDs I had and burning them, or the old files I downloaded back in the heyday of Napster. I used Audacity to edit them.

So before I waste hours and money again, does anyone know how to get mp3 files that I can use however I want? I am willing to pay for the songs, I just want to be able to use them once I buy them. I remember there being a discussion a while back on this kind of thing, but I don't know the details.

[Giovanni Schwartz]

The iTunes store recently added almost all (if not EVERY) song to "iTunes Plus". Basically, they're not DRM protected, so you can use them for whatever you want.

[Laser Jock]

Yeah, the iTunes Music Store is now a valid source for DRM-free music. Amazon.com has always been DRM-free, and you can even download music from Walmart's site. Those three are the first ones I think of.

[Fredjikrang]

Just thought that I would point out that even though iTunes songs are no longer DRM'd, they are not in MP3 format. They are AAC. So, unless your program can read that kind of file, you are still out of luck there.

Songs from Amazon are MP3s though.

[Whistler]

or you could convert your acc file to an mp3!
http://www.mp3-cd-converter.com/convert ... o_mp3.html

[Fredjikrang]

Though you do lose quality when you do that. (Though if you do it right, most people would never notice.)

[TheAnswerIs42]

Thanks for the help, guys! Amazon is working perfectly. Now I just have to choose all the songs I am going to use!