Convert M4A Files on Mac
M4A (MPEG-4 Audio) is an audio format using the .m4a and .m4b extensions. Consul converts M4A files to 11 other formats, and 25 formats to M4A. Rename a file's extension in Finder and Consul handles the conversion automatically.
What is M4A?
M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file, an MP4 container holding a single audio track, usually AAC or Apple Lossless (ALAC). Apple adopted the .m4a extension for music in iTunes, and it is the format of songs from the iTunes Store. The related .m4b extension marks audiobooks.
M4A supports both lossy and lossless compression, so file size and fidelity depend on how each file was encoded. Files can carry MP4 / iTunes tags.
Opening M4A files on a Mac
Quick Look previews M4A 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 M4A from Terminal, e.g. to WAV or AIFF.
Consul supports 36 conversions for M4A
Consul is the easiest way to convert M4A files on your Mac, or to turn other files into M4A. Rename file.m4a to change its extension, and Consul converts it automatically.