Download DRM Dumpster for Mac - Convert DRM files to MP3. MacUpdate Mac MP3 Software Downloads

DRM Dumpster is the automatic way to convert DRM tracks from your iTunes music library to standard music files. Simply set up your Mac, launch DRM Dumpster, click the Dump DRM button, insert a single CD-RW and the process runs automatically and unattended.

DRM Dumpster uses a CD-RW and iTunes itself to convert all of the DRM music files in your Library (or in a user selectable play list) to standard music files (MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV) that you can use with any music player. Using a standard CD-RW ensures maximum compatibility because DRM Dumpster does not need to install any third party driver software - and that is a good thing.

Version 3.4.1:

Added compatibility with iTunes 8.2

DEVELOPER POLL

Q: How many DRM tracks are in your iTunes library?

0-99

100-249

250-499

500-1000

1000-1999

2000+

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ROY VAN DER WONING Contrary to what seems to have become the popular consensus, my experience with Burning Thumb's support has been exceptionally positive.

After purchasing a license, I noticed that some of my tracks' meta data was not retained during the conversion, such as my album art. I contacted the developer about this, and one hour (!) later, I got an initial response. Not only did I instantly get a refund for my purchase because DRM Dumpster did not perform to my expectations, I also got an email the very next day with an update which addressed the problem with the missing meta data. When I subsequently reported a few more glitches, the developer sent me a second update which fixed those issues as well.

Even though there are still some nice-to-have's on my wish list, and I did experience one or two stability issues, I find that DRM Dumpster is the closest to ideal, and most convenient option to enable my protected tracks for playback on non-Apple devices like my SqueezeBox. The developer has been very forthcoming in identifying an fixing the reported issues, and did so within 24 hours. I will report the remaining niggles in due time and have no doubt that they can be ironed out as well.

Whether or not DRM Dumpster is worth the price is highly subjective, but it definitely pays off to contact the developer if something doesn't work as advertised. It got me a free license and a tool that does a hands-off conversion of my DRM protected tracks, allowing me to attend to a less mind numbing pastime.
(Version 3.3)

MORPHEO Someone please explain one thing to me: why should one spend $30 on such a "utility" when one can burn m4p manually and import them back into iTunes? I mean... $30????????
(Version 3.1)

Replies:

Sep 12 2008

BURNINGTHUMB Its actually already been explained. But here it is again.

For < 30 tracks DRM Dumpster is free - just use the demo.

For more tracks, for a lot of people, it makes sense to automate the process and have it run unattended while they do something else. Maybe see a movie, or have some beer. For some other people doing the process manually is fine too.
(Version 3.1)

MNANDA So I'd avoided buying this for ages, based somewhat on the harsh reviews here, and I wish I HADN'T listened... The program is great and does EXACTLY what it says.

To the person who complained that tracks were reimported incorrectly at fractions of their original times - :017, :023 etc. I can second the developer's response - this is not the software, it's iTunes, and probably has to do with the quality of the disc you were using. How do I know? Because I had this EXACT same problem when I was burning and reimporting MANUALLY - before I bought DRM Dumpster.

POINTERS: Because of the problem mentioned above, I was really, really careful to compare the times of the newly imported tracks before deleting the originals.

I also broke my protected library up into smaller playlists of about 100-120 tracks a piece - no one suggested this, but I thought it made sense to do smaller batches. So far so good.

Only regret - wish I'd bought this and dealt with this problem ages ago.
(Version 3.4.1)

XPLICIT I guess this is the most useless app I've seen in a long time. It reduces a manual 4-clicks process to an semi-automated process where you still need 2 clicks. Isn't that ridiculous?

It doesn't even do it without using a physical CD, like with a virtual drive or whatever.

Calling yourself a developer is really an embarassment to the whole developing community.
(Version 3.1)

Replies:

Sep 13 2008

LEE123 Obviously you have not really studied the software or the use for it. If you would have taken the time to read the dev docs or other comments you would know why you can not write to a virtual CD. It is a legal thing proposed and enforced by Apple. So, if anyone is embarrassing it is you and Apple.
(Version 3.1)

Sep 23 2008

BURNINGTHUMB It is safer, more compatible, and not much faster given modern high speed media.

A virtual CD MUST be implemented as a kernel extenstion and as such you must provide Administrator access to that software. So any Virtual CD driver can (a) crash your system, (b) bypass security on your system, (c) require updates each time the OS is updated. In other words its a dangerous thing. You will most likely find Virtual CD drivers don't exists on Mac OS X but do, for some reason, seem popular on Windows.

So if you still want a virtual CD drive, and are on Windows, you should get a standalone one (there are several available) and then if you can get iTunes to recognize the virtual drive it will also work with DRM Dumpster.

But for 99% of people its simply no longer needed to install such software when a $2 high speed media solves the problem.
(Version 3.1)

FREDDUCKER I give up after 5 tries and almost an hour and a half... and I had just ONE encrypted mp3 to convert! It's obvious that for a lot of people this program crashes or stops working half-way through. The same happened for me. While some of the steps work fine, it's a real pain to have to restart the whole process (for example when you have gotten as far as copying the tracks onto a cd-rw and the program stalls, you'll have to redo everything from the beginning).

This program could be good if you could chose what step to proceed to (1-gathering files, 2-burning them and most important 3-ripping them) without having to wait or restart over. And if it didn't crash or stall without giving you a reason.
(Version 3.0)

Replies:

Sep 12 2008

BURNINGTHUMB Please see my generic reply in the forum. Please contact me directly if you have a problem.
(Version 3.0)

-1

TIM KOLAR I just got done (after six crashes) with an attempt to unlock my library:

1098 Protected tracks

Brand new Memorex High Speed CD-RW (12x)

1087 MP3 tracks generated

On the order of 300 corrupted or truncated tracks.

My iTunes library is completely screwed. I now have 1087 suspect files sprinkled through it, and no simple way to find and remove them.

The most visible corruptions are tracks that were 2-3 minutes long and are now 2-3 seconds long.

I'm also a bit curious about the 11 files that got lost, but I'll be generous and guess it lost those while crashing.

How DRMDumpster could be better:

2) Do some basic checks on the imported tracks to see if they fit the profiles of the tracks they're supposed to be replacing. Start with length.

3) Stop relying on physical media. The corruptions pretty clearly result from the read/write cycle to the CD-RW. This whole thing should be done on a virtual CD.

To the authors: Sorry to pan your product, but an iTunes library full of corrupted MP3s that I have to dig out by hand leaves me in a considerably worse position than I was when I started.
(Version 3.0)

Replies:

Sep 12 2008

BURNINGTHUMB iTuens does all the burning and ripping. Any such burn / rip problems are iTuens or corrupt library problems. Remember DRM Dumpster automates what you would do manually and you would get the same results doing it manually. In other words its not a DRM Dumpster problem that you got truncated tracks.

Any crashing is a DRM Dumpster bug that I'd like to fix. For every person that has contacted me directly, I have fixed the problem (or figured out it was a previously corrupt iTunes Library that as soon as they rebuilt their iTunes Library the problem went away).

But in order to help I need to see the crash log. In other words get direct feedback. Please send me an email at support@burningthumb.com

I have used the software personally (actually that is why I wrote it) and converted my complete library several times flawlessly. The only way software can be made better is for folks to use it under different conditions than me to provide that direct feedback so that their issues can be addressed.

Just posting that "I had problems" in a public forum really has the opposite effect. Fewer people use the software, no direct feedback is provided, and the software does not get better.

If you want better software, and I have said it in this forum before, contact me directly first, post to the forum based on your experience after that.
(Version 3.0)

BURNINGTHUMB As a bit of information for everyone, for small libraries (< 30 protected tracks) DRM Dumpster for Mac OS X is FREE to use. Simply use the demo mode.

In addition, if you cannot afford the license fee please contact us directly to work something else out. While we need funds to ensure development continues, we are very flexible with respect to individual circumstances.

As I have indicated in the past, the best thing to do for all issue is to not hesitate to contact us directly.
(Version 2.1.9)

SAPPOROBABY $30. No way.
(Version 2.1.7)

Replies:

Jan 19 2008

BURNINGTHUMB I'm not quite sure I understand the problem.

How much did you already pay to Apple for your tunes?

Why would you pay a multi-billion dollar company all that money to let the screw you over by selling you tunes that are protected but not be prepared to spend a small amount to fund the ongoing development of a tiny independent developer that gives you a way to automate the process of freeing your tunes?
(Version 2.1.7)

Feb 5 2008

DAN33185 http://hymn-project.org/
(Version 2.1.8)

Mar 9 2008

PERSON1229 I support independent developers, hell I am one. But $30 for this, and it's not so pretty interface isn't really worth it. There are tons of apps out there that aren't worth their asking price, DRM Dumpster isn't the only one.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

BURNINGTHUMB Software is about providing solutions to problems for a target audience. Software that provides a solution to a problem for a target audience has value.

For DRM Dumpster the solution is to automate the process of converting iTunes DRM protected tracks to unprotected tracks for folks who have better ways to spend a couple of hours.

For most people the solution requires them to click 1 button.

To summarise, DRM Dumpster can give you a couple of hours to spend doing something fun rather than something tedious.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

SAPPOROBABY Dude, now is sounds like you are whining. Reduce the price and you would have something worth talking about: MAYBE. But for $30, there is no way I would consider it. Maybe your 3 stars is an indication of this as well.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

BURNINGTHUMB Dudes,

The software is free (since the demo handles it) for small libraries (less than 30 tracks).

For folks that take the time to contact me directly, rather than posting negative comments in the forum, and explain that they cannot afford $30, arrangements have always been made for something that they can afford - like even a T-Shirt is enough dude.

But the idea that looking at the price and posting "no way" in a public forum is productive - dude, no way.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

MACUPDATE ADMIN "But the idea that looking at the price and posting "no way" in a public forum is productive - dude, no way."

Agreed. And if the parent poster had used the star-ratings the post would have been deleted. As it is, it is just a comment/opinion.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

BURNINGTHUMB I believe the star rating was not used because he never tried the software. My opinion is that software directories should limit comments to folks that take the time to try the software and have something to say about the features.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

MACUPDATE ADMIN If we delete comments like this, people raise hell with us. There is something known as freedom of speech. We have to walk a fine line.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

BURNINGTHUMB Perhaps you could just change the sort order so that comments come last. Or better yet separate comments from reviews and just display reviews with a link folks can press if they want to read the comments. Then you can monitor your web statistics and see how many of your users are interested in comments to determine their true value.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

MACUPDATE ADMIN Suggestion duly noted and forwarded to the proper person, thanks.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

SAPPOROBABY To the author of this application and the admins here, let me make one final attempt to clear this up and state my opinion.

I have tried it but for 30 dollars, I do not find the value. Some may disagree and this is their right, but it is also my right to not want to spend 30 dollars on an app which I feel is not worth it. How much money I make or what I choose to do with it is my business and comments alluding to this makes those posters seem whiny and cry-baby-ish. If someone wants the application, then they can buy, if not then don't. I am sure if the developer had thought about a different price target, he or she would not be here discussing this now. Sooooo with that said, I will stick with Audio Hijack Pro which does many more things and does not have a bunch of developers that have to try and convince me how good their product is. The app speaks for itself.
(Version 2.1.9)

Mar 10 2008

BURNINGTHUMB I think you have mistaken a sincere effort to address your circumstances as something else.

If you look at the survey with respect to how many tracks folks have you would understand that using other solutions would require, for some people, hour and hours of time to convert and then update track meta data.

I encourage you to send us a direct email and we can provide a solution that makes sense to you at a price point that works for you.
(Version 2.1.9)

VERYCARLA How is this any different from using iTunes yourself to burn and then import your iTunes Store purchases?
(Version 2.1.6)

Replies:

Oct 22 2007

LOCUTISOFBORED Would you like to sit down at the computer inserting discs repeatedly while converting your 300 or so purchased songs? This program automates this process. A very useful program actually.
(Version 2.1.6)

Nov 14 2007

VERYCARLA But since you need to attend to your Mac while DRM Dumpster is doing its thing, you really aren't saving that much time and effort. Unless I'm missing the point here somehow.

Regardless, $30 is far too much for a one-trick pony.
(Version 2.1.7)

Jan 20 2008

BURNINGTHUMB You DON'T attend DRM Dumpster - if you need to do that something is wrong.
(Version 2.1.7)

BUGSMAN (I KILL GERMS) I may be missing something here, but I suspect not.

Rouge Amoeba supply Audio Hijack Pro for $32. It does about 2000% more for just $2 extra.

I have used Audio Hijack (the 'Lite' version) for the past 3 yrs - it's brilliant, but now discontinued.

Method: After installing AH-Pro, configure the program to hijack iTunes, select the tracks, hit the whammo button, and voila! A totally transportable audio file in any format you like.
(Version 2.1.4)

Replies:

Jan 20 2008

BURNINGTHUMB The main differences are speed (5-10x faster depending on the CD and the optical drive), and cost (since DRM Dumpster is going for $25 on sale its a $7 difference). But don't get me wrong I also use Audio Hijack and totally agree its great software. I could have used it myself but I just wanted something faster to do this job for all my tunes. But for a small library Audio Hijack is a great way to go.
(Version 2.1.7)

Jan 20 2008

BURNINGTHUMB Also DRM Dumpster retains the all the meta data not just track, artist, album, but also track number and disc number etc.

The point is its all, for me anyway, about saving time. I personally saved a lot of time - for some people, not all, saving even an hour is well worth $25.
(Version 2.1.7)