Convert WMA to M4A

A format of audio stream coding deployed by Microsoft in 1999, it has been serving as a foundation for Windows Media. Its purpose is to store and distribute audio content. Firstly, it was considered a real alternative for MP3, but then, when ACC appeared, WMA partially lost its significance. It differs fundamentally from MP3 by one realization and can be installed on an equal basis with other system codecs of Windows 9x.

A good compression quality characterizes WMA, and therefore it has been adapted later for many audio players, mobile devices, and Playstations. However, due to excessive closure, files in this format cannot be played back on other platforms with satisfactory quality. The new version allows for multi-channel coding of large audio files and coding of voice data. In addition to that, the delay in coding has been significantly diminished thanks to the technology of reduced time dilation.

The name of WMA is being used simultaneously for the file format and the codec. There are some types of the format:

• WMA, a close analog for MP3;
• WMA Pro, high-quality sound files with a wide range of channels;
• WMA Lossless, for lossless compression;
• WMA Voice, for compression of voice content into low bitrate files.

According to Microsoft programmers, an audio file of 64 Kbit/s bitrate has a similar sound clarity as the tracks from the original CD. However, some of advanced users do not share such views. Most often, WMA files are generated in Advanced Systems Format which contains both audio and video content. One of the failures is the impossibility to support bitrate of more than 160Kbit/s.

M4A stands for MPEG A Audio. It is a type of audio file type that is encoded using Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).

M4A was developed to help you store a wide range of file types, such as audiobooks, podcasts, and songs. That is in addition to the fact that it is a better competitor to MP3.

Some of the benefits or advantages of using M4A are:

1. 1. It is easy to edit and transfer M4A files because it is designed to be an unprotected audio file format.
2. 2. M4A files have additional enhancements that boost the sound quality.

How to create and how to open an M4A file

You can create and open an M4A file in many ways. The simplest way is to use an Apple voice recorder or convert another audio format into M4A.

There are several programs and applications out there that support the playback of M4A files. Some of them are Winamp, VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime. The other programs that open M4A files are Microsoft Zune, Elmedia Player (for Mac users), Apple iTunes, Rhythmbox (for Linux users), and iPad.

Which other formats M4A can be converted into and why

M4A files may be a strong competitor to the MP3 file formats. Yet, this type of digital audio file format has many disadvantages, such as appearing as a data file (instead of a media or document), and low compatibility with some devices.

So, here are some of the other formats or alternatives to the M4A file format:

1. 1. MP3
2. 2 WAV
3. 3. OGG
4. 4. FLAC

One major reason why you might need to convert your M4A file is because it is a file extension, which means that only specific applications can open it. MP3 is supported by almost any device.

You may also want to convert it to AAC because it produces better sound quality, even at low bitrates.