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how to convert m4a to mp3?

I'm trying to convert a audio recording I made using Quicktime to an mp3 or WAV file for exporting to the web and uploading on ATT Office at Hand. What's the easiest way to get my m4a file to export as an mp3 or WAV file for uploading to a website? I have iTunes 10 installed.

iMac-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Apr 20, 2012 9:35 AM

Top-ranking reply

Roger Wilmut1

Level 10

131,332 points

Posted on Oct 2, 2013 3:30 AM

Start by dragging the files concerned into the Songs list in iTunes if they aren't already there.

To convert files to M4a ('AAC'):

In iTunes Preferences>General click the 'Import Settings' button and choose 'AAC encoder' (it may be the default) and use the next drop-down menu to choose your settings - you can choose 'Custom' and set the bitrate as suits you.

Click OK, then OK again to close the Preferences.

Now go to the library, select your original files and from the from the 'File' menu choose 'Create new version' then 'Create AAC version' (iTunes 11 - in earlier versions choose 'Create AAC version' from the 'Advanced' menu).. This will make duplicate AAC versions and you can delete the original versions in iTunes. (Never tamper with the actual library in the Finder).

To convert files to MP3:

Firstly, go to iTunes Preferences>General and click the 'Import Settings' button. Set 'Import Using' to 'MP3 Encoder' and use the next drop-down menu to choose your settings - you can choose 'Custom' and set the bitrate as suits you.

Click OK, then OK again to close the Preferences.

Go to the Music list; select the files you want to convert and from the 'File' menu choose 'Create new version' then 'Create MP3 version' (iTunes 11 - in earlier versions choose 'Create MP3 version' from the 'Advanced' menu).

MP3 versions will be created and placed in the music list (the original versions will remain there). You can drag them out if you want to save them elsewhere (doing this will not remove them from the Library). You can select and delete any files as required in the Music list. (Never tamper with the actual library in the Finder).

It has been suggested that converting files to WAV or AIFF will improve the quality - it won't. AAC and MP3 compression works by leaving out bits of the sound it is assumed you cannot hear because they are masked by other sounds. Copying to an uncompressed format such as WAV cannot restore the missing sounds, so you are maintaining the same quality and just making the files a lot larger.

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33 replies

Mar 27, 2014 7:25 AM in response to SherryinDallas

My biggest iTune music problem is with the mp4p files. First I was informed to sign-up for iTunes Plus and then you can convert those mp4p files for mp4a's... not so. I found app that converts mp4p files to mp3 files but I found you have to turn off iTune match because iCloud exchange them back. Now I find the exchange eventually happens any way, it just takes iCloud a little longer. On my Sonos system it will play mp4a files but when iCloud switches the files back you have to start the whole time consuming task all over.

I have collected thousands of iTune pieces of music over the years and it's a shame I can't listen to the music over quality speakers powered by a quality amp.

BTW, you can't repurchase the music because iTunes Store says it's already purchased making it impossible to buy and download.

Any help?

Thanks.

Chris CA

Level 10

82,476 points

Mar 27, 2014 8:15 AM in response to Jagged Edge

Files are m4p and m4a (not mp4p & mp4a)

Jagged Edge wrote:

My biggest iTune music problem is with the mp4p files. First I was informed to sign-up for iTunes Plus and then you can convert those mp4p files for mp4a's... not so.

Delete the m4p (not mp4p) and redownload it via iTunes Match.

Mar 26, 2015 7:17 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Hi Roger

I used the method you suggested to convert some MPEG-4 music files to mp3. I tried to convert a playlist in one go and after 3 tracks had been done iTunes hung up. At the second attempt it hung up after 13 had been completed. Now every time I try to continue I get a Windows pop up message that iTunes has stopped working and has to be closed. Any ideas as to what is going wrong?

Mar 26, 2015 8:15 AM in response to SherryinDallas

Hi SherryinDallas

www.digitaltrends.com have a tutorial using iTunes but as ever be careful for the add-ons I use Freemaker Audio Converter but they do not have the application that you require.

Regards

neilfrommalaga

Mar 26, 2015 9:00 AM in response to jaketheplumber

iTunes should be able to convert any number of songs sequentially; I've not had experience of it on Windows but it certainly ought to work there, though there may be interference from something else. The best place to ask would be in the iTunes for Windows forum.

Oct 17, 2016 12:21 AM in response to SherryinDallas

Hi,

You can try a non-Apple converter, otherwise there's nothing you can do. Apple's software does not natively play WMA nor WMV content (if QuickTime plays it, you must have either the Flip4Mac codec or Perian, both third-party products), nor does any Apple software on Mac OS X have the ability to convert WMA to a format iTunes can handle.I insist that you use an Apple Music Converter.

Ylynear

Level 1

0 points

Mar 27, 2013 1:15 AM in response to SherryinDallas

Converting M4A to WAV will preserve high quality sound as well as have high compatibility. To convert M4A to WAV and MP3, finding a solution or a converter in Google will be wise choice.