Converting youtube videos to mp3 format has been a controversial topic for a long time now. Youtube to mp3 (or similar format) conversions heavily affect the music industry, and the process is gaining in depth with each passing day. For music producers and artists, the conversion represents one of the greatest problems today, sometimes overshadowing piracy and illegal music downloads. To better understand what exactly we’re talking about, let’s first clarify what youtube to mp3 conversion refers to. There are a multitude of websites and programs that offer users an easy and quick way to turn youtube videos into mp3 files that can be played back from any device, be it a desktop PC, a smartphone or a portable media player. Essentially, you insert the youtube video’s link into the provided platform, and the software converts it into a .mp3 file (audio format).
Now, through this method, users get to essentially download music for free, not having to resort to paid resources such as iTunes. But is it illegal? Well, the lines are very blurry. Technically speaking, these websites or programs do nothing more than convert a certain format into another format. More specifically, video format gets transformed into audio. You lose the visual aspects, but get to keep the music. In this regard, there’s nothing illegal about the websites. On another level however, youtube to mp3 conversion costs artists money, and lots of it. Not only do users get music for free (no longer needing to buy an official album), but the revenues from youtube ads are also affected. Add software that blocks out ads (such as Adblock) and we’re talking a lot of money.
The downside to using this method is obviously audio quality. Youtube videos rarely have top-notch audio quality (as opposed to soundcloud for instance), and thus, the resulting .mp3 isn’t that great either. It’s perfectly ok for listening on a long subway ride though, and it’s free. It also gives users access to many tracks and songs that are not always available to buy. You can find simple karaoke negatives on youtube which can’t be bought normally. Youtube to mp3 conversion is thus extremely controversial. It might seem unethical, and is often compared to piracy, because of infringing copyrights. Still, it is technically legal, and there are no risks of resorting to the method should you choose to do so. However, from a moral standpoint, if you really love a musician or band, consider supporting their work by buying the official record too. Some less popular but extremely talented musicians actually don’t make a lot of money, so consider supporting them if you can.
Lastly, to ensure your own safety, do some research about what platform, website or software you use to do the youtube to mp3 conversion. While m0st are easy to use and safe, some websites are riddled with malware, so beware. Read up on forums before you start converting, and don’t pay out heavy money for software that promises extremely good quality. The quality is not based on what you use to convert, it’s based on the original source (youtube) and cannot be influenced by any factor. How you hear it on youtube is how you’ll hear it in .mp3 format, no matter what software or website you use. And, ultimately, if you’re converting youtube to mp3, you’re doing it because it’s free (which it is), so keep your money tucked away. There’s no reason to spend for such services!