How to Convert YouTube Music to AIFF (3 Useful Ways)

Imagine this: it’s a relaxing Sunday, and while browsing online, you discover an amazing song on YouTube that you want to save for offline listening. Since you prefer AIFF format—known for its lossless quality and metadata support—you need a way to convert it. However, there's a problem. YouTube Music only allows downloads for Premium users, and even then, the downloaded files are just cached data that can’t be used outside the app.

To make things worse, finding a reliable YouTube to AIFF tool online is nearly impossible. So what’s the solution? Don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll introduce three effective ways to convert YouTube to AIFF, whether you want a professional software solution, a free online method, or an alternative recording approach. Let’s dive in!

Way 1: Convert YouTube to AIFF in Batch with TuneFab Converter

If you want a fast and reliable way to convert YouTube to AIFF, using a professional tool like TuneFab YouTube Music Converter is the best option. Unlike online converters with file size limits, TuneFab allows you to batch download entire playlists and albums while preserving original sound quality with 16-bit depth. Whether you're an audiophile or just want a hassle-free way to convert music, this tool gets the job done with ease.

Now, let's move to the steps of downloading YouTube music with TuneFab.

Step 1. Open the software and set YouTube Music as your source platform.

Step 2. Log into your YouTube Music account through TuneFab’s built-in browser to access your library. If you are just downloading a single song, you can also choose not to log in to it.

Step 3. Find the tracks you want and drag them into the + area to prepare them for downloading.

Step 4. Choose AIFF as your format and set the bit depth to 16-bit to ensure top-tier sound quality.

Step 5. Click the Convert All button to begin processing the selected files into AIFF format.

Step 6. Once finished, navigate to the Finished section to find your downloaded AIFF tracks, ready for offline playback.

Way 2. Convert YouTube to AIFF Online Free

As I said above, if you're looking for a free online solution to convert YouTube to AIFF, you may be disappointed to find that there is no direct YouTube to AIFF converter free. Instead, you'll need to take an extra step—first convert YouTube to WAV, then convert WAV to AIFF using another online tool.

While this approach avoids software installation, it comes with some downsides—multiple conversions can reduce sound quality, free online tools often have ads, and the process takes extra time.

That said, if you don’t mind the hassle and still want to try this method, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Open YouTube in your browser and find the video you want to convert. Click the Share button and copy the video URL.

Step 2. Go to a YouTube to WAV converter like youtubetowav.net. Paste the copied URL into the input box, click Convert, and select WAV as the output format. Once the conversion is done, download the WAV file to your device.

Step 3. Visit an online WAV to AIFF converter such as CloudConvert. Click Select File, upload your WAV file, and choose AIFF as the target format.

Step 4. Click Convert and wait for the process to complete. Once the AIFF file is ready, click Download to save it to your device.

Way 3. Record and Save YouTube Music to AIFF

Another straightforward method to convert YouTube to AIFF is by recording the audio using Audacity, a free and open-source audio recorder. This method is ideal if you prefer a manual approach without using third-party converters. With Audacity, you can capture any sound playing on your computer and export it as an AIFF file.

While this method gives you full control over the recording, the audio quality depends on your sound settings and recording environment. If you want lossless AIFF audio, ensure you’re recording at the highest bitrate possible.

Operate with the following guide:

Step 1. Download and install Audacity from its official website. Launch the program and go to the Recording Device tab at the top of the screen.

Step 2. Click the microphone icon to open a drop-down menu and select your system audio as the input source. If you're on Windows, choose WASAPI Loopback to record internal sound without noise interference.

Step 3. Open the YouTube video you want to capture. In Audacity, click the red Record button and immediately start playing the YouTube video. You’ll see the waveform appear in real time as the audio is recorded.

Step 4. Once the video ends, click the Stop button (black square) in Audacity. You can trim unwanted sections or adjust volume levels before saving the file.

Step 5. Click File > Export > Other Uncompressed Files. In the Header section, select AIFF (Apple/SGI) and choose your preferred encoding. Then, click Export, and the audio will be exported in AIFF format.

FAQs About YouTube to AIFF

What Is AIFF Format and Why Should I Use it for YouTube Audio Conversion?

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is a high-quality, uncompressed audio format developed by Apple in 1988. Unlike MP3 or AAC, AIFF retains all audio data, ensuring lossless sound quality. This makes it an excellent choice for music production, editing, and long-term storage.

Since YouTube audio is already compressed, converting it to AIFF helps preserve the original quality and prevents further loss from additional compression. Additionally, AIFF is widely supported across various professional editing software and Apple devices, making it a preferred format for high-fidelity audio playback.

Can I Convert YouTube Playlists to AIFF Format?

Yes! You can convert entire YouTube playlists to AIFF format using TuneFab YouTube Music Converter. This tool allows batch downloading, so you can save full albums, playlists, or multiple tracks in one go.

If you prefer a manual approach, you can also use audio recording software like Audacity—simply play the entire playlist while recording, then export the final audio as an AIFF file. However, this method takes longer and may capture background noise.

Conclusion

Converting music files to AIFF allows for the best audio quality for music production, editing, or high-fidelity listening. In this guide, we explored three ways to convert YouTube music to AIFF, including online tools, manual recording, and a dedicated music converter.

While online methods work, they can be slow and reduce quality. Recording is an alternative but requires more effort. For a fast, high-quality, and hassle-free experience, TuneFab YouTube Music Converter is the best choice. It allows batch downloads, supports multiple formats, and delivers lossless sound. Try it today for an easy and efficient YouTube to AIFF conversion!