Convert AAC Files on Mac
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is an audio format using the .aac extension. Consul converts AAC files to 11 other formats, and 25 formats to AAC. Rename a file's extension in Finder and Consul handles the conversion automatically.
What is AAC?
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is the lossy successor to MP3, standardized as part of MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. It generally sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate and is the default format for the iTunes Store, YouTube, and most streaming and broadcast platforms. A raw .aac file holds an ADTS stream.
AAC uses lossy compression: encoders permanently discard some detail to keep files small. Converting to a lossless format later preserves the file exactly as it is now, but that discarded detail doesn't come back.
AAC was developed by MPEG (Fraunhofer, Dolby, AT&T, Sony, Nokia).
Opening AAC files on a Mac
Quick Look previews AAC files. Select one in Finder and press Space.
Opens in the Music app by default; QuickTime Player and Quick Look play it too. afconvert can convert AAC from Terminal, e.g. to Apple Lossless or WAV.
Consul supports 36 conversions for AAC
Consul is the easiest way to convert AAC files on your Mac, or to turn other files into AAC. Rename file.aac to change its extension, and Consul converts it automatically.