Home  /  File formats  /  m4a

M4A file format

Extension.m4a
Categoryaudio
Programs
Microsoft Windows Media Player
VLC media player
MPlayer
Amarok
Winamp
Apple QuickTime Player
Apple iTunes
DescriptionM4A stands for MPEG A Audio. It is a type of audio file that is encoded using Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).M4A was developed to help store a variety of file types, such as audiobooks, podcasts, and songs. Additionally, it is considered a superior alternative to MP3.
Some of the benefits of using M4A include:
- Easy editing and transfer of M4A files due to their unprotected audio file format.
- M4A files come with enhancements that improve sound quality.
Technical detailsHow 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. Other programs that can open M4A files include 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 format. However, this type of digital audio file format has many disadvantages, such as being recognized as a data file instead of a media or document and having low compatibility with some devices.
Therefore, here are some of the other formats or alternatives to the M4A file format:
MP3
WAV
OGG
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.
MIME type
audio/mpeg