To use M4A to MP3 Audacity feature, you will first have to download and install LAME and FFMPEG. This is because Audacity doesn't come with the inherent ability to handle M4A.To download the LAME head over to The recommended install method is by downloading the.exe file and opening it. How to Export Audio in Audacity. Here you will learn how to Export a track in Audacity. (Assuming you have Imported a track to Audacity but don't know how to Export it) After you have completed your soundtrack click the yellow square. Audacity cannot convert MP4 files into MP3, but you should install FFmpeg for Audacity, then you can import MP4 videos into Audacity, and then convert MP4 into MP3. Is M4A same as MP4? M4A is the file compression solely of audio while MP4 is the media container that can hold video, audio, subtitle and images.

by Christine Smith • 2021-04-20 17:10:11 • Proven solutions

Audacity is a free open source software developed by volunteers to enable everyone to work with audio in whatever manner they want. It is available in all the major operating systems, i.e., Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Some of its features include the ability to record audio, work with multiple audio tracks, edit the same tracks, and to convert them to different file formats. In this article, we will show you all the steps that you will need to convert M4A to MP3 using Audacity and the best Audacity alternative. We will also brief you on the file formats supported by Audacity.

Part 1. How to Use Audacity to Convert M4A to MP3

M4A is an audio file type just like MP3, but unlike MP3, it isn't as portable as MP3. This media file is mainly used by Apple's iTunes store and is not an ideal format for usage outside of iTunes. This necessitates the need to convert M4A files to MP3.

Steps on How to Convert M4A to MP3 Audacity:

Step 1: Install the required libraries LAME and FFMPEG.

To use M4A to MP3 Audacity feature, you will first have to download and install LAME and FFMPEG. This is because Audacity doesn't come with the inherent ability to handle M4A.To download the LAME head over to https://lame.buanzo.org/#lamewindl. The recommended install method is by downloading the .exe file and opening it. To download FFMPEG, head to https://lame.buanzo.org/#lamewindl again and download the FFMPEG's zip file. After that, extract this file to a location that you can remember, say desktop.

Now the only thing remaining is to point Audacity to where you extracted FFMPEG. To do this, launch Audacity, which can be downloaded here https://www.Audacityteam.org/ and click on Edit> Preferences>Library and select Locate button next to FFMPEG library and navigate to the file avformat-55.dll in the folder where you extracted FFMPEG.

Step 2: Open the M4A file with Audacity.

If everything worked correctly, then you can now open your file with Audacity and use Audacity M4A to MP3 feature. If you try this and it produces an error, close and reopen Audacity and try again. If that fails, then repeat the steps about installing FFMPEG and LAME, making sure you don't miss a step. Finally, if the error doesn't resolve, then it could be unrelated to FFMPEG and LAME.

To open the M4A file, click on File -> Open menu item and select where your MP4 is located.

Step 3: Export to MP3 file.

The final step is to export your audio in the desired format, in our case MP3 file. We do this by selecting File -> Export -> Export as MP3.

Step 4: Customize export options to Convert M4A to MP3.

Will Audacity Convert Mp4 To Mp3

Finally, let us fine-tune the export settings by setting the File name that we want to save as, appropriate bitrate and channel mode. Finish by clicking the 'Save' button to convert M4A to MP3 using Audacity.

If you don't want to install any software, you can move to how to convert M4A to MP3 online to learn more.

Part 2. Recommended Audacity Alternative to Quickly Convert M4A to MP3

Using Audacity to convert M4A to MP3 is a cumbersome process, and that doesn't work out of the box. You need to download extra libraries like FFMPEG and LAME. An easier and better alternative to convert M4A to MP3 is by using Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate).

Wondershare UniConverter - Best M4A to MP3 Converter for Windows/Mac

• Convert M4A to MP3, MP4, MOV, AVI, and other 1000 formats.
• Convert M4A files to MP3 in batch without quality loss.
• Convert M4A files to MP3 at 30X faster speed than common converters.
• Burn videos to DVD disk to play with your DVD player.
• Edit video and audio files with editing functions like trimming, cropping, adding watermark, subtitles, etc.
• Download videos from YouTube and other 10,000+ video sharing sites.
• Supported OS: Windows NT4/2000/2003/XP/Vista/7/8, and Windows 10 (32 bit & 64 bit), Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6.

How to convert M4A to MP3 with simple steps?

Step 1 Add M4A files to the best audacity alternative.

Download, install, and launch Wondershare UniConverter from the above-given download link. Choose the right version per your needs. You're optional to convert M4A to MP3 Mac or convert M4A to MP3 on Windows, here we make Windows 10 for example. Add the specific M4A file(s) to Wondershare UniConverter. To do this, select the Video Converter tab and select Add Files. This will open an 'Open file' dialog allowing you to select the appropriate file.

Step 2 Choose MP3 as the target format for M4A to MP3 conversion.

Now you need to select the destination file format. In our case, we need to select MP3 to convert M4A to MP3 in the Target drop-down. Note that Wondershare Audacity alternative supports a lot of media formats, and it can be a little bit cumbersome to scroll down to the appropriate one. To make this process faster and more efficient, Wondershare provided a search box at the bottom of the destination panel. Type into the search box to filter all the supported media file types.

Step 3 Convert M4A to MP3 using Audacity alternative.

Finally, click on the Start All button to convert from source to destination file formats. You will see a progress bar as Wondershare UniConverter converts our file from source target to destination target. In the end, the file will be stored where you selected as the File Location.

If you want to know more M4A to MP3 converters, you can move to how to free convert M4A to MP3 to learn more.

Part 3. What Format Does Audacity Support

When you install Audacity or run the portable version, it can support uncompressed audio formats, e.g., WAV compressed audio formats like Vorbis.

To use AC3, M4A, MP4, and WMA, you need to install the FFMPEG library. Furthermore, to export files as MP3, you will need to install the LAME encoder. These are extra libraries that are required by the software but are not packaged together.

Conclusion:

When it comes to converting M4A to MP3, Audacity can be of great help. But its experience cannot be compared to that of Wondershare UniConverter. With this software, you can batch convert media files at super speed and transfer files to your mobile device easily. Download and have a try now.

With Wondershare UniConverter, you can convert M4A to MP3 easily. Move to How to Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac OS >> to learn more.

You may want to know how to convert MP4 to MP3 with ease if you are one of the members of fans of listening to music or audio. The format of MP3 can reduce a lot of storage room and release more space so that you are allowed to save more pieces of music.

Converting MP4 to MP3 is not an easy job, as there are a wide range of related MPEG 4 to MP3 converters for desktop computer and online. In what follows, you can learn a lot more details from the fabulous best-10 list of MP4 to MP3 converting software.

Part 1: Fastest MP4 to MP3 Converter to Extract MP3 from MP4

Compared to online ways, some people prefer to download software, because of its stability. Thus, in order to satisfy the need of everyone, we select top 3 desktop programs to convert DailyMotion to MP4. Please go on to read and know more.

AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is the all-in-one video audio converter for desktop computer.

Expert at converting MP4 to MP3, it can achieve the conversion securely with 60X faster. Compatible with all MPEG formats like MPEG-1, MPG, MPEG-3, MPEG-4, it lets you extract the MP3 background audio from the MP4 video using simple 3 steps.

The salient feature of the tool is that it owns the ability to edit according to your need, such as cropping, trimming as well as adjusting effect. Because of its excellent edition, you do not have to worry about the MP3 format quality after converting from MP4 to MP3. Also, it supports a variety of devices, including Galaxy, iPhone, HTC, etc. Just check about more information from the following tutorials.

• Extract MP3 from MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, MXF, MTS, M2TS, TOD, RMVB, TP, etc.
• Edit MP3 audio before outputting, like select audio codec, audio channel, volume, bitrate, etc.
• Trim and split the audio files, and merge the audio clips into one by rearranging them.
• Add the audio into the video files for creating your own video collection or vlog.

Step 1: Download the MPEG 4 to MP3 converter

Above all, just download the AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate by clicking the download link above, and then you should install it on your computer. This software is compatible with Windows and Mac computer, and just get the correct download version to your computer.

Step 2: Add MP4 files

After you finished installation, open this application. Afterwards, click 'Add Files' icon to choose the MP4 video that you intend to convert to MP3. This software supports batch MP4 to MP3 conversion, and supported hardware acceleration, which creates the fastest MP4 to MP3 conversion for you.

Step 3: Edit MP4 video (Optionally)

Before converting MP4G to MP3, you could use its edit feature to clip the audio.

Select the MP4 video that you want to edit, and click 'Cut' in the main interface, and then you will enter the cut window, where you could create new clips or split one file into 2 parts by moving the progress bar.

After that, click 'Save' to save the changes you made.

Step 4: Custom MP3 output settings

After returning to the main interface of this converter software, select 'MP3' from the dropdown list of 'Profile'. You can also input MP3 to search the format quickly.

Optionally, you are allowed to click the 'Settings' option next to the MP3 output to custom the MP3 settings, where you can change the default settings under 'Audio Settings'. You can compress the MP3 files by reducing the value of 'Audio Bitrate'. For different device compatibility, you should select the matched audio encoder. Moreover, audio channel and sample rate are available to you.

Step 5: Convert MP4 to MP3

Once you have finished all the steps above, you can click the 'Convert All' choice at the bottom of the interface.

Then this software will start converting MPEG to MP3 immediately. You can check the conversion process in the progress bar.

Part 2: Top 5 Free Software to Convert MP4 to MP3 (Desktop)

Top 1: Free MP4 Converter

Free MP4 Converter is helpful software which enables users convert any kind of format of video, like MP4 to MP3 audio, MP3 to MP4, etc. for playback or uploading online, especially on Apple products. The new version enhances the stability and speed of audio conversion.

Step 1: Download the software on Mac and then run the software after installation.

Step 2: Select the MP4 video files you want to upload. You can also reset their names.

Step 3: Choose MP3 on the 'Profile' menu and drop a destination. Choose the final location of the MP3 output format.

Step 4: Finally, click 'Convert' button to convert MP4 video to MP3 audio.

Top 2: Aiseesoft Free Video Converter

As one of the most powerful converter for MP4 to MP3, Aiseesoft Free Video Converter has the capacity of converting MP4 audio files to MP3, AVI, WMV, MOV, etc., at a very fast speed. It is also good at identifying your MP4 files automatically the moment you launch this software.

Step 1: Click 'Add File' when you enter the main interface. Make sure the MP4 files you aspire to input.

Step 2: Hit 'Effect' to get additional satisfying effect. Here, you can alter the length of the audio or aspect ratio and so on.

Step 3: Select MP3 format and folder location.

Step 4: Commence the conversion.

Top 3: Freemake Video Converter

Regarded as another terrific tool for converting MP4 to MP3, Freemake Video Converter is easy for users to have a good command of its use. You can have easy access to customizing the quality of the output format with its Preset Editors.

Step 1: Add videos, including URLs, DVDs and so on.

Step 2: Choose the format of MP3. Before this, you have selected the MP4 files you want to import.

Step 3: Just convert the files by using default conversion preset. You are allowed to change it.

Top 4: Any Video Converter

Just as CNET Editor says, Any Video Converter can convert videos including MP4 from your computer or downloaded from the Internet into any format you like, such as MP3. Without limitations and extra costs, it can assist you to better know how to convert MP4 to MP3.

Step 1: You can input your MP4 audios into the program when entering the interface.

Step 2: Select the profile of the output, such as MP3.

Step 3: Customize settings of your output.

Step 4: Begin your converting MP4 to MP3.

Top 5: Wondershare Video Converter Free

Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate is not only a converter. Considered as one of the best choices for converting from MP4 to MP3, it has the fast speed of conversion, plus, with high-quality output format, it is greatly welcomed by users.

Step 1: Load the videos after launching the program.

Step 2: Tap the 'Convert Section'. Move the mouse to the '+ Add Files' button, and then you can add MP4 files from computer.

Step 3: Click the 'Download' icon from the Target box and select Video tab, choose MP3 in the left sidebar and select the video resolution in the right to confirm the output format.

Step 4: After that you can press the 'Convert' button to start converting MP4 to MP3. It just takes a few minutes to get the files with ease.

Part 3: Best 4 Converters to Convert MP4 to MP3 for Free (Online)

Top 1: Cloudconvert

As the name suggests, Cloudconvert can convert anything to anything online. So there is no need for users to download or install any applications on their computer. In order to convert MP4 to MP3, this software support batch converting and folder monitoring.

Step 1: Open Google drive browser to search this website.

Step 2: Click 'Select Files' To choose from Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or Box. It also supports online MP4 to MP3 conversion to convert link to MP4 MP3 directly.

Step 3: Start to convert MP4 to MP3.

Top 2: Zamzar

Similarly, this website needs no the installation of any software. Zamzar is possible for users to convert MP4 files to any kind of formats including MP3. Its own website contains a lot of information for you to refer to.

Step 1: Choose files or URL you hope to convert.

Step 2: Select MP3 as the final format to convert.

Step 3: Click 'Convert' to start.

Top 3: Convertio

Convertio is considered as the advanced tool to convert your MP4 files to MP3. It has the maximum file size about 100 MB. It is easy and handy to make the use of. Below are some steps for you.

Step 1: Upload your MP4 files. You can extract them from your computer or Google Drive and so on.

Step 2: Click 'to MP3'. And then you turn the MP4 files into MP3.

Step 3: Download MP3 files. Once you convert MP4 to MP3, you can download the file to your device.

Top 4: Online Video Converter

Online Video Converter is easy to use. You will be informed with the process of converting from MP4 to MP3. You are allowed to contact the producer by e-mail when you are not able to find the format you want to convert.

Step 1: Import the video link you would like to transfer.

Step 2: Customize your original settings and decide to convert to MP3.

Step 3: Hit 'Start' to begin converting from MP4 files to MP3.

Part 4: More Reading about MPEG-4

MPEG-4, is a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats. Integrated with the features of MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and other related standards, MPEG-4 has the ability to encode mixed media data from video, audio and speech. Widely accepted, MP4 is now used by the streaming service on the Internet and supported by a wide range of programs and devices.

More information about MP4, you can check it here.

Part 5: FAQs of Converting MP4 to MP3

Can MP3 players play MP4?

Potable MP3 players can play MP3 music, but cannot play videos including MP4 files. However, some MP3 player software like AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player can be as the MP3 player and the MP4 player to play MP4 files.

Can Audacity convert MP4 to MP3?

Audacity cannot convert MP4 files into MP3, but you should install FFmpeg for Audacity, then you can import MP4 videos into Audacity, and then convert MP4 into MP3.

Is M4A same as MP4?

No. M4A is the file compression solely of audio while MP4 is the media container that can hold video, audio, subtitle and images.

Conclusion

Audacity Mp4 Zu Mp3

The article introduces 10 popular and fabulous MP4 to MP3 converters. You have the capacity to choose any converter that suits you most according to your requirements. Providing users with a great deal of convenience, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate can remove your worries about the quality during the conversion from MP4 to MP3. This software is professional and reliable so that you can rely on it. If you have any comment and problem, please share your thoughts below.