diff --git a/beetsplug/convert.py b/beetsplug/convert.py
index 8b887bd9a..d1bfa9ddd 100644
--- a/beetsplug/convert.py
+++ b/beetsplug/convert.py
@@ -63,11 +63,13 @@ def get_file_extension():
 
 
 def encode(source, dest):
-    log.info(u'Started encoding {0}'.format(util.displayable_path(source)))
-
     command = get_command()
+    quiet = config['convert']['quiet'].get()
     opts = []
 
+    if not quiet:
+        log.info(u'Started encoding {0}'.format(util.displayable_path(source)))
+
     for arg in command:
         arg = arg.encode('utf-8')
         opts.append(Template(arg).substitute({
@@ -86,7 +88,8 @@ def encode(source, dest):
         util.prune_dirs(os.path.dirname(dest))
         return
 
-    log.info(u'Finished encoding {0}'.format(util.displayable_path(source)))
+    if not quiet:
+      log.info(u'Finished encoding {0}'.format(util.displayable_path(source)))
 
 
 def validate_config():
@@ -269,8 +272,9 @@ class ConvertPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
                 },
             },
             u'max_bitrate': 500,
-            u'embed': True,
             u'auto': False,
+            u'quiet': False,
+            u'embed': True,
             u'paths': {},
         })
         validate_config()
diff --git a/docs/plugins/convert.rst b/docs/plugins/convert.rst
index c7cce6b95..7869aa40b 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/convert.rst
+++ b/docs/plugins/convert.rst
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ The plugin offers several configuration options, all of which live under the
   automatically during the ``import`` command. With this option enabled, the
   importer will transcode all non-MP3 files over the maximum bitrate before
   adding them to your library.
+* ``quiet`` mode prevents the plugin from announcing every file it processes.
+  Default: false.
 * ``paths`` lets you specify the directory structure and naming scheme for the
   converted files. Use the same format as the top-level ``paths`` section (see
   :ref:`path-format-config`). By default, the plugin reuses your top-level