First, we have to download and compile a command line program to be able to modify ID3 tags. Ensure that you have the XCode tools installed. Then download id3lib. Now follow these steps:
- Unextract the archive, open a Terminal window, and change to the newly extracted directory.
- Run the following commands to install id3lib:
$ ./configure $ make $ sudo make install - Now you have to download and install the actual command line tool, id3v2.
- Extract the id3v2 archive you downloaded and change to its directory in your Terminal window. Then run the following commands:
$ make $ sudo make install - Now we have the tool necessary to strip the content type ID3 tag. To do this we simply run the following command: /usr/local/bin/id3v2 --TCON "" %FILENAME
- First, launch Automator.
- In our new workflow template, find the iTunes » Get Selected iTunes Items action and drag it to the right-hand pane.
- Next, add the Finder » Filter Finder Items action, and set its parameters to: Name Extension -- Is equal to -- mp3. This prevents our workflow from trying to do anything with AAC files.
- Now we need to create a new folder where podcasts will be copied before they are modified. I created one under the Music folder in my home directory called Podcasts to Convert.
- Add the Finder » Copy Finder Items action, and set the destination to the folder you just created.
- Add the Automator » Run Shell Script action. Leave the shell as /bin/bash, and then set the actual script to:
for f in "$@" do /usr/local/bin/id3v2 --TCON "" "$f" done - Add the Finder » Get Specified Finder Items action. Select the Files/Folders drop-down in the title bar of this action, and set it to Ignore Results from Previous Action. Then, add the folder that we created in step four.
- Add the Finder » Get Folder Contents action.
- Create a new playlist in iTunes. I called mine Imported Podcasts.
- Add the iTunes » Add Files to Playlist action. Select the new playlist you just created.
- Repeat steps seven and eight.
- Add the Finder » Move to Trash action.
- Select File » Save As Plug-in from the menu bar, and name the script whatever you like. Set the 'Plug-in for' pop-up to Script Menu, so that we can easily run the script whenever we like. Save it.
[robg adds: I haven't tested this one.]

