Is there an easy way to convert m4a to mp3 on Windows 11 PC?

[CameronBeck]

Recently I encountered a problem on Windows 11. I have some audio files in M4A format and want to convert them to MP3 format so that they can be played on more devices. But I found that the system's built-in tools do not seem to support this conversion. I have tried some online conversion tools, but they are either slow or of poor quality, and some even have limitations.

I have heard that there are some third-party software or command line tools that can easily complete the conversion from M4A to MP3, but I am not sure which method is more reliable, and I am also worried that it will be too complicated to operate. So I would like to ask everyone, is there a relatively simple that can allow me to successfully batch convert audio files in M4A format to MP3?

[#2]

@CameronBeck 

I have encountered this situation before. The Windows built-in tool does not support M4A to MP3 conversion, and the online tool is also troublesome. Later, I used AudioKis, which is super simple, with fast batch conversion speed, good quality, and simple operation. Just drag and select MP3, click convert, and it's done.

I followed this tutorial (works for me): 

https://www.techsrader.com/m4a-to-mp3

For people like us who don't want to mess around too much, AudioKis is a good choice and will definitely not give you a headache!

[#3]

@CameronBeck One method to convert M4A to MP3 on a PC is by recording the audio playback using audio recording software. This approach captures the audio as it plays on your system and saves it as an MP3 file. The audio recording programs allow you to record system audio or microphone input.

While this method isn't as direct as using a conversion tool, it can be helpful when you encounter M4A files that are difficult to convert using traditional methods, or when you need to ensure compatibility by creating an MP3 recording of the original audio.

[#4]

@ArthurDavis  The advantage of recording the audio is that it works with nearly any file or audio source that can be played on your computer, whether it's a protected file, a streaming service, or a specific media format that doesn't convert easily. This is much better than a native M4A to MP3 converter on a Windows 11 PC.

However, it’s important to note that recording audio may result in slight quality loss, depending on your settings and recording environment. For best results, use high-quality recording tools, adjust settings to capture in the highest possible bit rate, and minimize background noise to ensure the MP3 file retains good sound quality.

[#5]

@CameronBeck 

It is actually quite simple to convert M4A to MP3 using iTunes, provided that you have already installed iTunes. Here is how to do it:

1. Open iTunes: First open iTunes and drag the M4A file you want to convert into it.
2. Set the export format: Then go to Edit -> Preferences, click Import Settings, and select "MP3 Encoder" as the default export format.
3. Select the file and convert: Go back to your music library, right-click the M4A file you want to convert, select "Create MP3 Version", and iTunes will help you convert the file to MP3 format.

This method is quite convenient, but the disadvantage is that iTunes is sometimes not fast, and you have to set the export format first, which is a bit troublesome. In addition, it cannot directly batch process a large number of files, you can only do it one by one, or select multiple and then batch convert, which is a small disadvantage.

[#6]

@CameronBeck SoX is another widely used command-line utility for audio conversion and processing. It supports numerous audio formats and allows you to perform complex audio manipulations, such as adjusting volume, applying effects, or trimming files, all through the command line. SoX is great M4A to MP3 convert on Windows PC for users who need more than just conversion, as it doubles as a full-fledged audio editor.

Navigate to the folder containing your M4A file using the cd command. For example:

cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Music

Run the following command to convert your M4A file to MP3 using SoX:

sox input.m4a output.mp3

Replace input.m4a with the actual name of your M4A file and output.mp3 with the desired MP3 file name.

You can also customize the conversion by specifying additional options like bitrate, sample rate, or channels. For example, to set the bitrate to 192 kbps. This process will convert M4A audio file to MP3 format using SoX.

[#7]

iTunes can be a bit sluggish when converting M4A to MP3 on Windows 11 PC, especially if you're working with a large library. When you're just trying to convert a couple of files quickly, waiting for iTunes to catch up can be annoying. It's like it has its own pace that doesn't always match yours!

You've got to go into the settings just to adjust the import settings to MP3. If you're like me, you just want to dive in and start converting without messing around in the menus. It's a bit of a hassle to have to set that up first – feels like an unnecessary extra step. You can select multiple files to convert at once, but iTunes isn't exactly set up for heavy-duty batch conversions. This means if you've got a ton of M4As, you're looking at potentially wasting time clicking through each one, which can get tedious. Some other tools out there allow you to just drag and drop a whole folder of files and convert them all at once.

[#8]

@CameronBeck 

Although Windows' built-in player can't directly convert formats, you can first burn the M4A files to a virtual CD, and then use Windows Media Player to extract the tracks from the CD to MP3 format. This method is a little roundabout, but it's still stable.

You can convert M4A files to MP3 using Windows Media Player. The steps are actually not difficult, but a little cumbersome:

1. Import M4A files: Open Windows Media Player, drag your M4A files into it, and add them to the playlist. Don't forget to set up a virtual CD drive (for example, using the virtual CD tool that comes with Windows).
2. Burn to virtual CD: In Media Player, find the "Burn" option, select "Audio CD", and then select your virtual CD drive. Start burning.
3. Extract to MP3: After burning the virtual CD, return to Media Player and choose to extract music from CD. Select MP3 in the "Format" option, set the bit rate, click "Start Extraction", and wait for it to complete.

Disadvantages:

1. This process requires a virtual CD drive, which is a bit troublesome.
2. The burning and extraction process is a bit slow, especially if you have a lot of files.
3. The sound quality may be slightly degraded because it is a secondary conversion, especially if you are picky about the sound quality.

Overall, although this method is not the most convenient, it is still a way to solve the problem for friends who do not want to use third-party software.

[#9]

Converting M4A to MP3 using Windows Media Player via that virtual CD method sounds a bit convoluted, right? Depending on the settings you use during extraction (such as bitrate), you could potentially lose some audio quality during the conversion process. So, if you're an audiophile or just someone who cares about sound quality, this could be a major downside. Sometimes, going from one lossy format (M4A) to another (MP3) can worsen the quality, and that’s definitely not ideal.

[#10]

@CameronBeck It is a simple and convenient method to converting M4A to MP3 online that requires no software installation. Numerous websites offer quick M4A to MP3 conversion services. You simply upload the M4A file, choose MP3 as the output format, and download the converted file. Most of these platforms also allow you to adjust settings like bitrate, audio quality, and compression levels before converting. This makes online tools ideal for users who want a hassle-free, browser-based solution without technical knowledge.

However, there are some downsides to using online m4a to mp3 converter for audio conversion. File size limitations may prevent you from uploading large files, and internet speed can affect the time it takes to complete the process. Additionally, privacy concerns arise as you're required to upload your files to external servers, which may not guarantee complete data security. Therefore, it's essential to use trusted websites with clear privacy policies, especially when dealing with sensitive or personal audio files. For large-scale or frequent conversions, offline tools may be a safer and more efficient option.