M4A is a popular audio format commonly used in Apple devices and iTunes. However, if you want to play your M4A files on non-Apple devices or platforms, converting them to MP3 is a more widely compatible option. VLC Media Player, a versatile and free media player, also provides a simple way to convert M4A files to the MP3 format. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to convert M4A to MP3 using VLC.
Step 1: Open VLC Media Player on your computer. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the official VLC website and install it.
Step 2: Click on the "Media" tab in the top menu and select "Convert/Save" from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: In the "Open Media" window that appears, click on the "Add" button and select the M4A file you want to convert.
Step 4: After adding the M4A file, click on the "Convert/Save" button at the bottom of the window.
Step 5: In the "Convert" window, choose "Audio – MP3" from the Profile drop-down menu.
Step 6: Select the destination folder where you want to save the converted MP3 file by clicking on the "Browse" button next to the Destination field.
Step 7: Finally, click on the "Start" button to begin the M4A to MP3 conversion process. The progress bar will show you the status of the conversion.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. VLC Media Player is free to use and widely available for different operating systems. | 1. VLC’s user interface may be overwhelming for some users. |
| 2. Supports a wide range of file formats, including M4A and MP3. | 2. The conversion speed may vary depending on your computer’s hardware specifications. |
| 3. Provides basic audio editing options like adjusting bitrate and sample rate. | 3. The output quality may not be as customizable as dedicated audio converters. |
Converting M4A to MP3 with VLC Media Player is a straightforward process, and it allows you to enjoy your audio files on various devices and platforms. Give it a try and make your M4A files more widely compatible with the help of VLC.
Video Tutorial: How to convert M4A to MP3 without iTunes?
How to convert M4A to MP4 using VLC?
To convert M4A to MP4 using VLC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install VLC Media Player
Visit the official VLC website (www.videolan.org) and download the latest version of VLC Media Player suitable for your operating system. Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions to properly install VLC on your device.
Step 2: Launch VLC Media Player
After the installation is complete, launch VLC Media Player by locating it in your applications or desktop shortcut.
Step 3: Open Media Conversion Wizard
In the VLC Media Player interface, click on the "Media" tab located in the top-left corner of the window. From the dropdown menu, select "Convert / Save" or simply press the "Ctrl+R" keyboard shortcut. This will open the Media Conversion Wizard.
Step 4: Add M4A File(s)
In the Media Conversion Wizard, click on the "Add" button to select the M4A file you wish to convert. Browse through your computer’s directories, locate the M4A file, and click on the "Open" button to add it to the conversion queue.
Step 5: Choose MP4 as the Output Format
Once the M4A file is added, click on the "Convert / Save" button at the bottom-right corner of the Media Conversion Wizard window. In the new window, you’ll find the "Profile" drop-down menu. Click on it and choose "Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" or any other MP4 format of your choice from the list.
Step 6: Specify Output Destination
Next, click on the "Browse" button next to the "Destination" field to specify the location where you want to save the converted MP4 file. Choose a suitable folder or directory on your computer and click on the "Save" button.
Step 7: Start the Conversion
After selecting the output format and destination, click on the "Start" button to begin the conversion process. The progress bar will indicate the conversion status, and you’ll be able to monitor the elapsed time.
Step 8: Locate the Converted MP4
Once the conversion is completed, navigate to the destination folder you specified earlier. You will find the converted MP4 file there, which you can now play or use as needed.
By following these steps, you can easily convert M4A files to MP4 using VLC Media Player.
How do I change audio format in VLC?
To change the audio format in VLC, you can follow these steps:
1. Open VLC Media Player: Launch the VLC Media Player application on your computer.
2. Access the Preferences: Click on the "Tools" option in the top menu bar, and then select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. You can also use the shortcut key combination "Ctrl + P" (Windows/Linux) or "Command + ," (macOS).
3. Choose the Audio Settings: In the "Simple Preferences" window that opens up, click on the "Audio" tab located on the left-hand side.
4. Select the Output Module: Under the "Audio" tab, you will find an option labeled "Output." Here, you can choose the desired audio output module that VLC will use.
5. Configure the Output Module: Once you have selected the correct output module, click on the "Settings" button located next to it. This will allow you to configure the specific settings for the chosen audio output module.
6. Change the Audio Format: In the settings for the selected output module, you will find options to customize the audio format. This may include selecting a different audio codec, sample rate, or channel configuration. Modify the settings as per your requirements.
7. Save the Changes: After making the necessary changes, click on the "Save" button to apply them.
8. Restart VLC (if needed): In some cases, you may need to restart VLC for the changes to take effect.
By following these steps, you should be able to change the audio format in VLC Media Player.
How do I convert MP4 to MP3 for free?
Converting MP4 to MP3 is a common requirement, especially when you want to extract audio from a video file. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to convert MP4 to MP3 for free:
Step 1: Choose a reliable video converter software
There are several free video converter software options available online, such as HandBrake, VLC Media Player, and Any Video Converter. Download and install the software of your choice from a trusted source.
Step 2: Launch the video converter software
Open the video converter software you have installed on your computer.
Step 3: Add the MP4 file
Click on the "Add File" or "Import" button within the software to import the MP4 file you want to convert. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the MP4 file into the software interface.
Step 4: Select the MP3 output format
Look for an option or dropdown menu that allows you to choose the output format. In this case, select MP3 as the desired output format.
Step 5: Configure the output settings
Depending on the software you are using, you may have the opportunity to configure additional settings like audio quality, bitrate, or sample rate. Adjust these settings according to your preference or keep them at default values.
Step 6: Choose the output folder
Select the destination folder on your computer where you want to save the converted MP3 file.
Step 7: Start the conversion process
Click on the "Convert" or "Start" button to initiate the conversion process. The software will begin converting the MP4 file to MP3 format.
Step 8: Wait for the conversion to complete
The time it takes for the conversion to finish will depend on the duration and complexity of the MP4 file. Be patient and wait for the process to complete.
Step 9: Locate the converted MP3 file
Once the conversion is finished, navigate to the specified output folder or follow the software’s prompt to find the converted MP3 file.
That’s it! You have successfully converted an MP4 file to MP3 format for free using a video converter software. You can now enjoy your audio file separately from the original video.
Can VLC convert MP4 to MP3?
Yes, VLC Media Player has the ability to convert MP4 files to MP3 format. Here are the steps to accomplish this:
1. Download and install VLC Media Player from the official website (https://www.videolan.org/vlc/).
2. Launch VLC Media Player.
3. Click on the "Media" tab in the menu bar and select "Convert/Save" from the drop-down menu.
4. In the "Open Media" window that appears, click on the "Add" button to browse and select the MP4 file you want to convert.
5. Click on the "Convert/Save" button at the bottom of the window.
6. In the "Convert" window, choose "Audio – MP3" from the "Profile" drop-down menu.
7. Specify the destination folder where you want to save the converted MP3 file by clicking on the "Browse" button in the "Destination" field.
8. Optionally, you can click on the "Edit selected profile" button to customize the audio settings such as bitrate, channel, and sample rate.
9. Click on the "Start" button to initiate the MP4 to MP3 conversion process.
10. Wait for VLC to convert the file, and once it’s done, you will find the MP3 file in the destination folder you specified.
Please keep in mind that the conversion speed may vary depending on the size of the MP4 file and the processing power of your computer.
How do I convert audio to MP3 using VLC?
To convert audio to MP3 using VLC, follow these steps:
1. Launch VLC Media Player: Open VLC on your computer by clicking on its icon in the applications or programs list.
2. Access the Media menu: Click on the "Media" tab located at the top-left corner of your VLC window.
3. Select "Convert/Save": From the drop-down menu that appears when you click on "Media," choose the "Convert/Save" option. You can also use the shortcut key combination "Ctrl+R" to directly access this feature.
4. Add the audio file: In the "File" tab, click on the "Add" button to browse your computer and select the audio file you want to convert. Once selected, click on the "Convert/Save" button at the bottom-right corner.
5. Choose the output format: In the "Convert" window that appears, select "Audio – MP3" from the "Profile" dropdown menu. If you don’t see MP3 listed, you might need to expand the list by clicking on the "Custom" radio button.
6. Specify the output directory and filename: Under the "Destination" section, click on the "Browse" button to choose the folder where you want to save the converted MP3 file. You can also enter a desired filename for the converted file, but make sure to keep the extension as ".mp3".
7. Start the conversion process: Click on the "Start" button to initiate the conversion. VLC will start transforming your audio file into MP3 format.
8. Monitor the conversion progress: You can observe the progress in the VLC interface, as well as see the estimated time remaining for the conversion to complete.
9. Find the converted MP3 file: Once the conversion process finishes, navigate to the folder you selected as the output directory. You should find your newly converted MP3 file there.
That’s it! You have successfully converted an audio file to MP3 using VLC Media Player.