converting m4a to mp3?

[starrylizard]

Can anyone tell me if there is a simple way to convert an m4a file to mp3?

My zen micro doesn't play m4a files and there are some songs I'd really like to put on it and it's really frustrating me.


(Incidentally, I love this piece of music to itty bitty pieces.)

Comments

[kudra2324.livejournal.com]

it depends. with some files, you can literally go in and change the file extension, but whether the file will then play doesn't seem to be reliable (i'd make copies before trying this because changing the file extension back if the conversion didn't work doesn't always work either.)

if you have itunes, or are willing to download it (it's free), you can use it to convert the files - i'm happy to tell you how.

alternatively, if it's not that many files i don't mind converting them for you if you want to just e-mail them to me, or upload a zip files of them.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I think I have itunes, but I've never really played with it. I'll have a look tonight and see. :)

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Well, I had itunes, but never installed it. I've done that now.

Is there a simple way to convert to mp3 then? Any help appreciated.

It would save you uploading stuff twice and help me stick other great tunes on my Zen player. :)

[kudra2324.livejournal.com]

hey, i meant to reply to this a week ago, but the flu and no home internet will do that to you :).

as a general matter, here's how you convert a file in itunes:

1. go into itunes preferences.

2. go to the advanced tab.

3. go to the importing tab within the advanced tab.

4. select the file format you want to convert into (if you start using itunes to upload music and you don't want music uploaded in that format, don't forget to change it back when you're done with the conversions).

5. close out of preferences.

6. go back to your itunes library and right-click on the file you want to convert. one of the options will be "convert file to [fill in the format]" - you just click on that, and it will generate a new file in the format you're converting into.

now, for the converting from m4a to mp3 specific part - through trial and error, and i have no idea why this is, i've discovered that the sound quality is much better in the eventual file if i actually do two conversions. first, from m4a into AIFF, and then from the AIFF file into mp3.

but again - it's really not a big deal for me (now that i have a real internet connection back, thank GOD) to upload the stuff on my journal that you want in mp3. and i'm happy to convert a few other files for you, if you ever need that.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Sounds easy enough. Thanks for that! I'll have a go a bit later. :)