How to Make My MPEG-4 Audio File Work With My MP3 Player
By Kristen Waters
MPEG-4 audio (M4a) files are encoded using the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or Apple Lossless (ALAC) codecs. They are recognized by the iPod personal audio player, but not by other MP3 players. ITunes and Free M4a to MP3 Converter are two software programs you can use to convert M4a files to the MP3 format. These programs can convert multiple files at a single time. The Media.io website can be used to convert a single M4a file.
iTunes
Step 1
Download and install the free "iTunes" software for your operating system (see Resources).
Step 2
Open the "iTunes" program.
Step 3
Click on the "Edit" menu if you are using a Windows computer. Click on the "iTunes" menu if you are using a Mac.
Step 4
Choose the "Preferences" option.
Step 5
Click on the "General" button in the "Preferences" window.
Step 6
Click the "Importing Settings" button.
Step 7
Choose the "MP3" option in the "Import Using" window.
Step 8
Click the "OK" button to close the "Preferences" window.
Step 9
Choose the MPEG-4 audio file you want to convert in the "Library" section of the screen.
Step 10
Click the "Create MP3 version" option. The software will create a copy of the MPEG-4 audio file and convert it to MP3. You will have two copies of the same song in the library.
Free M4a to MP3 Converter
Step 1
Download and install the "Free M4a to MP3 Converter" software.
Step 2
Open the "M4a to MP3 Converter" program.
Step 3
Click the "Add Files" button at the top of the screen.
Step 4
Choose the MPEG-4 audio file you want to convert.
Step 5
Choose "MP3" from the "Output Format" drop-down menu.
Step 6
Click the "Convert" button at the top of the screen.
Media.io
Step 1
Navigate to the Media.io website using any web browser (see Resources).
Step 2
Click the "Browse" button to choose the MPEG-4 audio file you want to convert.
Step 3
Click the "Upload" button to upload the file to the Media.io server.
Step 4
Choose the "MP3" format from the "Select Format" section of the webpage.
Step 5
Choose the quality you prefer from the "Select Quality" section of the webpage.
Step 6
Click the "Convert" button to convert the file.
Step 7
Click the "Download" button to download the converted file to your computer.
References
Writer Bio
Kristen Waters has been writing for the computer industry since 2004. She has written training materials for both large and small computer companies as well as how-to and informative articles for many online publications. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees from both York College of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland.