M4A and MP3 are two of the most popular audio formats you will often access. However, there is still a common situation where some downloaded M4A songs are unplayable on your player or device due to format incompatibility. This post shares seven reputable M4A to MP3 converters for you to easily make audio conversions while keeping high sound quality.
Before introducing M4A to MP3 converter software, I would like to compare these two audio formats. You can learn their advantages and key differences. Moreover, I will talk about the main reasons why you may want to transform your M4A files to MP3.
M4A is developed by Apple and is often associated with Apple products like iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iTunes. Podcasts and audiobooks on Apple devices are saved in M4A. Moreover, it is the default format for songs purchased from the Apple Music and iTunes Store. That’s why many M4A files are protected by Digital Rights Management.
The M4A format adopts a more modern compression technology called Advanced Audio Coding. Compared with MP3, this encoding method can offer high-quality audio with a smaller file size. Apple devices and most modern players can play M4A files. However, DRM-protected songs may be restricted to playback on unauthorized devices.
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) is the most popular and widely used audio format. It uses a lossy compression that balances the file size and audio quality. MP3 can offer a relatively good sound quality for most listeners, especially at high bitrates. MP3 files can be supported by almost all devices, platforms, players, and editors.
Generally, you want to transform your M4A songs to MP3 due to format incompatibility. When your device or player can’t open or play M4A files normally, converting to MP3 ensures playback.
As mentioned earlier, the M4A format is closely associated with Apple devices. When you share M4A files with others who don’t use an Apple product, they may not be accessed due to DRM restrictions. Moreover, some platforms only accept MP3. Converting M4A to MP3 gets easier sharing and broader accessibility.
In some cases, you can convert M4A to MP3 for saving storage space, especially when you have a large music library.
Even though many online M4A to MP3 converter services are available, I want to recommend five great desktop tools first. Dedicated audio converters often offer more advanced functions and give you all control over the M4A to MP3 conversion. Compared to online tools, they eliminate the file uploading and downloading needs and have no file size restrictions. Moreover, you are allowed to convert M4A songs offline. That can be a big advantage if you are converting some sensitive files.
Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate is a powerful video and audio conversion software that can easily convert M4A to MP3. Besides MP3, you can choose from a wide range of lossy and lossless audio formats, such as WAV, AAC, FLAC, and more. It claims to handle over 1000 video and audio formats. For the best output sound quality, Aiseesoft provides various settings to customize, such as bitrate, sample rate, and channel. Moreover, this M4A to MP3 converter allows you to batch-convert multiple audio files.
More than an M4A to MP3 converter, it carries some basic editing and enhancement functions. You can freely trim audio and optimize the final sound quality. Compared with other desktop software, Aiseesoft is much easier to navigate and use. You can directly start the conversion process, even as a beginner. Moreover, it collects other useful tools for different needs, including audio compressor, noise remover, audio sync, video repair, video enhancer, GIF maker, 3D maker, image converter, data recovery, and more.
Through my tests, the software can offer fast M4A to MP3 conversion speeds, especially after turning the hardware acceleration on. It gives me a stable converting experience even when dealing with multiple audio files. However, you should know that Aiseesoft is paid software. The free version only converts five minutes of each video or audio file. So, when it comes to converting large videos, you need to purchase a license.
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If all your M4A songs, podcasts, or audiobooks are purchased from the iTunes Store, and you use iTunes to manage them, then iTunes can be a handy M4A to MP3 conversion tool. It gives a simple way to create MP3 versions of your M4A files. iTunes is completely free and offers stable management and conversion experience. It allows you to adjust the output MP3 quality by selecting different bitrates. iTunes has been replaced by the Apple Music app on Macs.
iTunes is mainly used for managing various purchases from iTunes Store and iOS data on your Apple devices. It is not designed with a direct M4A to MP3 conversion feature. By default, iTunes exports your audio files in the M4A format. You need to manually change these settings. Compared with dedicated converters, iTunes gives a relatively complex and time-consuming process.
Audacity is a popular audio editor and converter software that can help you convert M4A files to MP3. This open-source tool is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. It enables you to add and convert multiple M4A files in a batch. More than an M4A to MP3 converter, Audacity carries many audio editing features. Before the final conversion, you can trim audio, adjust volume, apply fade in and out effects, and more like the introduced Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate offered.
Besides MP3, Audacity offers many other output formats. You have various output settings to adjust the audio quality of the converted audio. What’s more, it allows you to edit metadata information like album, artist, genre, and more. This free M4A to MP3 conversion software comes with no hidden costs or other further purchases. However, Audacity has a complex interface that requires a longer learning time. In addition, you need a modern computer with sufficient processing power and RAM to use Audacity smoothly.
Format Factory is another famous and free conversion software that allows you to convert M4A to MP3. In fact, it can handle various multimedia files, including audio, video, images, and documents. Format Factory can convert multiple M4A files to MP3 at a time. What’s more, it enables you to adjust the output audio quality by modifying the bitrate and sample rate.
Format Factory is an open-source converter that is completely free to download and use. Its straightforward interface provides a simple M4A to MP3 conversion experience. However, it is only compatible with Windows devices. What’s worse, some Format Factory versions may come with unwanted software. You should download it from a trusted source and be cautious about the installation process.
VLC is one of the most popular media players that comes with hidden features, including basic video and audio conversion capabilities. If you already have it on your device and don’t want to install a dedicated desktop converter, it can be a compelling option for converting M4A to MP3. You can use its conversion feature on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Thanks to the powerful playback function and open-source nature, nearly all codecs are supported. Besides M4A, you can convert other audio files in VLC.
VLC enables you to convert two or more M4A files to MP3 at once. During conversion, you are allowed to select the desired bitrate and other options to control the output audio quality. It can work as a lightweight M4A to MP3 conversion software. But you should know that VLC is specially designed as a player, not a converter. So, it lacks advanced editing and conversion features like dedicated audio converters. Moreover, you may easily get some errors during the converting process.
If you prefer a convenient M4A to MP3 conversion experience without requiring software installation, or you just have the occasional conversion need, you should turn to online tools. Lots of online audio converters are offered on the internet that offer a straightforward way to turn your M4A files into MP3. However, most online converters have limitations on uploaded file size, features, and processing speed. After testing 20+ tools, I want to recommend two online converters that have a good reputation and are worth trying.
CloudConvert is a famous online file conversion tool that can convert videos, audio, documents, ebooks, mages, and more directly on a web browser. It has an individual M4A to MP3 Converter for you to make the audio conversion directly. You can simply upload your M4A file and then download the converted MP3. CloudConvert lets you change audio codec, bitrate, channels, volume, and sample rate based on your needs. It is ideal for occasional conversions from M4A to MP3.
CloudConvert M4A to MP3 Converter carries a basic audio trimmer for you to edit audio and erase unwanted parts. However, the free version has limitations on the file size and conversion time. Moreover, compared with desktop software, it will take a longer time to complete the audio processing.
123APPS offers various video, audio, and PDF tools for different conversion and editing tasks. To transform M4A to MP3 online, you can rely on its Audio Converter. It can convert M4A files from your device, Google Drive, Dropbox, or URL. Besides MP3, 123APPs allows you to export various other formats, such as WAV, FLAC, OGG, and more. You can also customize advanced settings like bitrate, sample rate, and fade effects. Compared with desktop software, 123APPS offers minimal control over the conversion process.
If you have multiple M4A files to convert and prefer high-quality outputs and fast conversion speeds, the dedicated converter is always the better choice. This part tells how to convert M4A to MP3 using the recommended Video Converter Ultimate.
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How is M4A different from MP3?
M4A and MP3 are different in several aspects. MP3 has wider compatibility than M4A. Compared with MP3, M4A can offer better audio quality at a smaller file size.
Should I convert M4A to MP3?
For different purposes, you want to turn your M4A files into MP3. As mentioned earlier, when the M4A format can be supported by your player, editor, or device, converting to MP3 can help to get wider compatibility. Otherwise, you should keep M4A if you are using Apple devices and care about the audio quality.
Does converting M4A to MP3 lose quality?
Converting M4A to MP3 will lead to some quality loss, but the final result depends on various factors, such as the source audio quality and the output MP3 bitrate.
Conclusion
This post compares M4A with MP3 and guides you to know their advantages and differences. I also give you seven great M4A to MP3 converter recommendations, both online and offline. Use your desired tool when you get the audio conversion need.
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