6 Best Ways to Convert MP3 to M4A for Better Quality [Steps]

Lynn Hu
Sep 20, 2024 / Updated by Lynn Hu to Convert Audio

Compared to MP3 format, M4A has a similar file size but higher quality to provide a better listening experience. Thus, as an Apple device user, you may want to convert MP3 to M4A, the default format for iTunes and QuickTime. You can also get more features, like creating iPhone/iPad ringtone from M4A audio. Keep reading to learn about 6 efficient ways and detailed steps to convert MP3 to M4A with Windows/Mac/Online tools.

Audio Converter Why Choose It
AnyRec Video Converter Best way to convert a batch of MP3 to M4A formats with customized quality and powerful editing tools.
iTunes Default music player and manager to transform MP3 to the preset M4A format quickly.
VLC Media Player Able to play and convert MP3 to M4A/MPEG 4 Audio with quality loss on all devices.
Audacity An audio recording and editing tool that can export MP3 audio to M4A with installed FFmpeg package.
AnyRec Free Audio Converter Online Totally free online tool to quickly convert MP3 to M4A with adjustable quality, encoder, sample rate, etc.
Zamzar An online tool to easily convert MP3 to M4A with a 50MB size limitation for free.

Ultimate Way to Convert MP3 to M4A with Best Quality

Since M4A has better quality than MP3 format, you should use AnyRec Video Converter to transform M4A to MP3 while enhancing the audio quality. You can easily adjust the audio encoder, quality, sample rate, and channel. Moreover, there are many powerful editing tools for you, like the audio editor, to delay the audio and boost the MP3 volume. Although batch conversion is supported, the transforming speed is 60x faster with the GPU acceleration.

AnyRec Video Converter Package
AnyRec Video Converter

Quickly convert a batch of MP3 audio to M4A, FLAC, WAV, and more formats.

Provide preset formats and settings for different devices, like iPhones, TVs, etc.

Enhance the quality of converted M4A by changing the sample rate and encoder.

Additional functions to trim audio, boost audio volume, and sync video and audio.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

Step 1.Launch AnyRec Video Converter and click the "Add Files" button to upload a batch of MP3 audio files for converting to M4A.

Add Files Anyrec

Step 2.Click the format drop-down list after the audio file and click the "Audio" button. Then, you can choose the M4A format with high quality.

Select M4a Format Anyrec

Step 3.To keep the best quality of M4A audio, you can click the "Settings" button and change the encoder, sample rate, and bitrate. After that, click the "Create New" button and then "Convert All" button to start converting MP3 to M4A.

Convert Mp3 To M4a Anyrec

Default Way to Convert MP3 to M4A via iTunes on Mac

As the built-in music manager and player on Mac, iTunes can definitely convert MP3 to M4A, which is the default format for downloading and listening to music. However, the maximum bit rate is 128 kbps, and the sample rate is 44100 kHz. Follow the steps below:

Step 1.Open iTunes on Windows/Mac, click the "File" menu, and then the "Add to Library" button to upload the desired MP3 you want to convert to M4A.

Add Mp3 Music Itunes

Step 2.Click the "iTunes" menu and click the "Preference" button. In the popping-up window, you should click the "Import Settings" button.

Import Setting itunes

Step 3.Here you can select the "AAC Encoder" option from the drop-down list and set the output quality. At last, click the "OK" button to save the changes.

Set M4a Format itunes

Step 4.Go back to the playlist on iTunes and right-click the desired MP3 files. Just click the "Create AAC Version" button to start converting MP3 to M4A on iTunes.

Export M4a Format Itunes

Use VLC to Start MP3 to M4A Conversion on All Devices

VLC Media Player is a well-known video and audio player on all devices, and it also supports converting MP3 to M4A with its powerful features. It’s good for accepting all video/audio formats and even DVD/Blu-ray discs, but you can’t set the output parameters according to your needs.

Step 1.In VLC Media Player, click the "Media" menu and then the "Convert/Save" button. You can also use the hotkey "Ctrl" and "R" keys to start converting MP3 to M4A.

Convert Files Vlc

Step 2.In the popping-up windows, you can click the "Add" button to add audio files from local or internet. Then, click the "Convert/Save" button to continue.

Vlc Add M4a File

Step 3.Click the "Profile" drop-down list, and then choose the "MPEG 4 Audio (AAC)" format. After choosing the destination, click the "Start" button to convert MP3 to M4A.

Mp3 To M4a Vlc

Steps to Convert MP3 to M4A with Audacity on Win/Mac

Audacity is a professional audio recording and editing tool. And, of course, it provides many output formats and settings, which enables you to convert MP3 to M4A through Audacity. But you should make sure that you have installed the FFmpeg package first.

Step 1.Launch the Audacity tool with the FFmpeg package on Windows/Mac and click the "File" menu to open MP3 files on Audacity.

Open Mp3 Audacity

Step 2.Click the "File" menu again. And then click the "Export" and "Export Audio" button. In the new window, you can select the "M4A (AAC) Files (FFmpeg)" option from the "Format" list. Finally, click the "Export" button to save MP3 in MA4.

Export M4a Files Audacity

Transform MP3 to M4A Online for Free with High Quality

Free online way to convert MP3 to M4A is always easy and quick. You can simply use AnyRec Free Audio Converter Online to deal with your MP3 files in batches. It supports many audio formats, including MP3, AAC, M4A, AC3, FLAC, WMA, WAV, etc., and exports audio without quality loss.

Step 1.Navigate to the official website of AnyRec Free Audio Converter Online and click the "Add Files to Convert" button. Just choose the desired files from local to open.

Add Files To Convert Online

Step 2.Tick the "M4A" format from the bottom list. If you want to adjust the quality, just click the "Settings" button. Click the "OK" button to save the changes and the "Convert" button to start MP3 to MA4 conversion.

Mp3 to M4a Anyrec Online

How to Use Zamzar to Convert MP3 to M4A Format Online

Zamzar is another famous free online audio and video converter that supports MP3 to M4A, AIFF to MP3, OGG to MP3, and almost all formats. It indeed provides a free version, but you should note that the uploaded file size is limited to less than 50MB.

Step 1.Go to Zamzar’s official website and click the "Choose Files" button on the main interface. You can open a batch of MP3 files to convert to M4A.

Choose Files Zamzar

Step 2.Click the "Convert To" drop-down list and choose "M4A" format. Then, click the "Convert Now" button to convert MP3 to M4A in a few minutes.

Mp3 to M4a Zamzar

Conclusion

Whether you want to listen to music with higher quality or do more editing on iPhone/iPad/Mac, you can use the above 6 methods to convert MP3 to M4A. There are easy and free ways like iTunes and online tools, but there may be quality loss during the conversion. Thus, to have the best output quality, you should rely on AnyRec Video Converter, which provides flexible output parameters to enhance your audio. Please have a try on it today!

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

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