MP3 Converter: What is M4A? How to Convert & Edit M4A?

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MP3 Converter: What is M4A? How to Convert & Edit M4A?

20 January 2021 Amanda J. Brook Senior Product Manager

Summary
M4A is the audio format for Apple devices. Yet, compared with MP3, it is not widely used or not compatible well with the other devices. In this essay, we will tell you more details about M4A, and talk about how to use the MP3 converter to convert M4A. Also, there are some tips for video and video editing.

Contents

About M4A

What is M4A?

M4A is a file extension for an audio file encoded with advanced audio coding (AAC) which is a lossy compression.

From another point of view, M4A is the audio-only MPEG-4 file whose official file extension is MP4. It contains audio and video data. However, when it is audio only, M4A can stand for the MPEG-4 audio. Generally, the bit rate of a M4A file is 128 kbps, 192 kbps or 256 kbps.

M4A, one of the popular audio formats, is mainly used for the DRM-free music supplied in the iTunes store. It can be opened in iPhone, iPad and iPod but it is incompatible with many mobile devices, like Android phone, music players and car-embeded sound devices.

Note: In the iTunes store, the DRM-free music is saved as M4A while the DRM-protected is MP4.

Hot Topic - ADsProfessional Audio Editor – Renee Audio Tools

Cutter Users can seperate videos into equal clips by time, size, etc.

Many Available Tools Such as fade in/out, speed adjustment, music mixing and volume adjustment.

Converter Convert music files between all audio formats, including MP3, M4A, ACC, OGG, AAC, FLAC and the others.

Recorder Record PC sounds and microphone at the same time and output in multiple formats.

Joiner Merge music files into one regardless the original file formats.

Cutter Seperate videos into equal clips by time, size, etc.

Multiple Tools Fade in/out, speed adjustment, music mixing and volume adjustment.

Convert Convert music files between all audio formats.

Free Trial Free Trial 2000 users have downloaded and enjoyed Renee Audio Tools!

Pros and Cons of M4A

Pros:

It is the format of lossy compression, so the file size can be smaller than the original file.
The M4A file can be renamed as M4R and then set as iPhone ringtone.
The M4A file can be shared or transferred easily since it is DRM free.

Cons:

It is not well compatible with many devices. Since M4A is developed by Apple Inc., it is mainly used in iTunes, iPod and the other Apple devices, but it may not work in some multimedia players and devices.

TipsThere are three major groups of audio file formats: the uncompressed audio formats, the formats with lossless compression and the formats with lossy compression.

● Uncompressed audio formats: The audio data is original, complete and unprocessed. Therefore, it takes up the most storage space, up to 10MB/min.

● Formats with lossy compression: It enables reductions in file size by removing some of the audio information and simplifying the data. The compressed file can be smaller from 5% to 20% than the original one.

● Formats with lossless compression: A lossless compressed audio format stores data in less space without losing any information. The original, uncompressed data can be recreated from the compressed version.

M4A-available Players

M4A is well supported by iPod, iPhone, iPad and the other Apple devices. When M4A is not available in the other devices, you can download the other music players. The followings are the M4A-available players in Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android.

	M4A-available players
Windows	File Viewer Plus
	Apple iTunes
	Microsoft Windows Media Player
	Adobe Audition CC 2019
	Nullsoft Winamp
	Media Player Classic
	VLC media player
Windows	Apple iTunes
	Apple QuickTime player
	Adobe Audition CC 2019
	VLC media player
	Eltima Elmedia Player
Linux	VLC media player
iOS	VLC player iPhone version
Android	Apple iTunes
Android	Videolabs VLC player Android version

In addition, you can use a MP3 converter to change from M4A to MP3. Next, we will introduce different MP3 converters and tell you how to convert M4A to MP3.

How to Convert M4A to MP3

M4A vs MP3: Which is better?

● File size: The M4A file is smaller than that of MP3 at the same bit rate.

● Audio quality: The M4A file encoded with ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) has the better audio quality. Even the M4A file encoded with AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), it perform better than that of MP3 at the same bit rate.

● Compatibility: MP3 is welcomed by more devices and more people.

You should consider your actual needs when selecting between M4A and MP3. If you want a small file with well audio quality, try M4A while you can select MP3 if it should be available in various devices.

When M4A is not available in a player, we suggest converting M4A to MP3. Next, we will show you 3 MP3 converters that help you quickly convert M4A to MP3.

Audio Converter: Renee Audio Tools

Renee Audio Tools is the multifunctional audio editing software including various functions, such as converter, editor, recorder, CD burner and iTunes transfer. Users can fulfill lots of needs in editing and quickly convert different audio formats.

● Input formats: Audio/video formats, such as MP3, AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4R, AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV, M2TS and M4V.

● Output formats: MP3, AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MKA, MP2, OGG, RA, VOC, WAV and WMA.

Professional Audio Editor – Renee Audio Tools

CutterArbitrarily cut and clip audios in MP3, ACC, FLAC and APE formats. Many effects, such as fade in/out, speed adjustment, music mixing and volume adjustment, are available.

ConverterConvert music files between all audio formats, including MP3, M4A, ACC, OGG, AAC, FLAC and the others. It can also convert the video format into MP3.

RecorderRecord computer sounds from streaming media and microphone at the same time and output into multiple audio formats.

JoinerMerge music files into one regardless the original file formats. The output format and quality can be set, too.

CD BurnerBurn multiple music files into CD, DVD and also make APE or BIN image file.

Compatible with: Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP (32bit/64bit)

CutterArbitrarily cut and clip audios in diffrent formats. Many effects, such as fade in/out, speed adjustment, music mixing, are available.

ConverterConvert music files between all audio formats, including MP3, M4A, ACC, OGG, AAC, FLAC and the others. It can also convert the video format into MP3.

RecorderRecord computer sounds from streaming media and microphone at the same time and output into multiple audio formats.

Full Version Download

3000 users has downloaded and enjoyed it!

Pros:
● Free audio editing software
● Support hundreds of audio/video formats
● Convert format in batch
● Provide comprehensive functions, such as cutting, adjusting playback speed, changing voice, mixing sounds and adding album information
● Record sounds from streaming media
● Quickly process

Cons:
● Only available in Windows

How to do:

① First, download and install Renee Audio Tools. Open the software and select [Converter].

② Click [Add Files] to select the M4A file. Then, select MP3 as the output format and then set the output quality and the output folder. After that, click [Start] to convert M4A to MP3.

use renee audio converter to convert m4a to mp3

③ You can follow the above steps to convert in batch.

convert m4a to mp3 in batch in renee audio tools

TipsBesides, you can convert M4A to WAV, MP2, FLAC and the other audio formats through this method.

Audio Converter: iTunes

iTunes is the multimedia player developed by Apple Inc. It can not only play videos and audios but also convert audio formats. iTunes is suitable for Windows and Mac, and free for download. What’s more, it will save the original copy after finishing conversion.

● Input formats: Various formats, like M4A, MP3, AIFF, WAV, MPEG-4, AAC and Apple Lossless.

● Output formats: MP3, AIFF, WAV, MPEG-4, AAC and Apple Lossless.

Pros:
● Support various audio formats
● Quickly convert
● Fit Windows and Mac

Cons:
● Complicated steps, no batch conversion
● Not support to edit audio files

How to do:

① Open iTunes and enter into [Preferences].

Mac: In the menu, select [iTunes] > [Preferences].

Windows: In the menu, select [Edit] > [Preferences].

click to file and select preferences in itunes

② In the tab [General], click [Input Settings].

how to add music to iphone through itunes

③ Select [MP3 Encoder] in the option [Import Using]. Then, click [OK] to save.

go to itunes import settings to select mp3 encoder

④ After that, find out the M4A file and right-click at the file to select [Create MP3 version]. A MP3 file will be generated soon.

create a mp3 version for m4a file on itunes

Online Converter

There are many free MP3 converters converting M4A to MP3 online. We can complete all steps through the Internet. However, uploading and downloading also depend on the network. It may take a long time to upload a file if the network status is bad. Besides, the files may be disclosed during the process.

Link: audio.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp3

● Input formats: Audio/video formats, such as MP3, AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4R, AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV, M2TS and M4V

● Output formats: MP3, AAC, AC3, FLAC, M4R, M4A, MP4, OGG, WAV and WMA

Pros:
● No need to download software
● Support many audio formats
● Easy to use

Cons:
● Easily affected by the network
● Not support to edit online
● Risk at privacy disclosure during uploading to the website
● Limited file size, not over 100MB

How to do:

① Click [Choose File] to upload the M4A file.

② In Optional Settings, complete the other settings, like file size, duration and bit rate. Then, click [Start conversion].

③ Finally, click [Download] to save the converted file.

TipsThe above methods are used for the situation that you have stored the M4A file. However, lots of music cannot be downloaded from the music websites and online stores, and even the DRM-protected music is only paid for listening. How to solve this problem? Let’s read the next part!

How to Obtain M4A Audio File

There are many ways obtaining the M4A files. In addition to downloading from the music websites, we can separate audio from video, record and save sounds as M4A, and rip from CD. Next, we will show you how to realize these ways within Renee Audio Tools.

Separate M4A from Video

How to do:

① Install and open Renee Audio Tools.

② Select [Video to MP3]. Lots of audio formats can be output.

Convert youtube to wav click video to mp3 in renee audio tools

③ Click [Add Files] to select the target video. If necessary, it can be cut with the function [Cut].

④ Select M4A as the output format and click [Start] to separate audio from video. Finally, click [OK] to confirm in the following pop-up.

convert video to m4a in renee audio tools

Record M4A File

Renee Audio Tools provides the audio recorder that collects sounds from music and video websites.

How to do:

① Open Renee Audio Tools and click [Recorder].

② Select [Computer sounds] in the option [Record from] and then set the audio format. Next, play the target music and click to record.

use renee audio tools to record computer sounds

③ Finally, stop recording and save the record file as it is finished.

stop recording sounds in renee audio tools

Rip M4A from CD

How to do:

① Open Renee Audio Tools and click [CD Ripper].

② Click [Add Files] to select the target CD music.

③ Then, click [Apply].

④ Check the music you want to save, and then set M4A as the output format. Finally, click [Start] to rip them from CD.

rip m4a files from a cd with renee audio tools

When you get the M4A file through the above methods, you can continue to use Renee Audio Tools to edit the file, such as merging, cutting, adding sound effects, mixing, adjusting playback speed and equalizing volume.