The M4A file format forms part of the MP4 specification, specifically the audio stream of the Mp4 format. .m4a files are essentially audio only bit streams encoded using the audio codecs from the MPEG-4 Part 14 specification. Audio encoding can be accomplished using algorithms from the lossy family or lossless family of codecs. One of the design goals of the M4A audio format was to achieve a high level compression ratio without sacrificing audio quality. In this regard, it was intended that the format would succeed the MP3 file format. Although it has done this from a technical standpoint, the MP3 format continues to be widely used.
The WMA file format and its associated .wma filename extension is a data compression format developed by Microsoft. WMA, which stands for windows media audio is a proprietary format and forms part of the Windows Media Framework. It was initially conceived as an alternative audio format that would compete with the MP3 and RealAudio formats. It was initially released in 1999 as WMA 1, though there have been several revisions to the original WMA format. The original format used audio encoding codecs from the lossy family of encoding algorithms. A WMA file will feature only one audio stream encoded in the WMA format, however, recent iterations of the format allow for choice in encoding using one of four sub formats one of which is the WMA encoding format.
FreeFileConvert uses tuned encoding for M4A to WMA conversions, preserving clarity while trimming file size. Finished audio streams instantly across phones, tablets, desktops, and modern browsers without extra tweaks.
Upload M4A files from desktop, tablet, or cloud storage, queue multiple jobs, and let the converter finish autonomously. Return whenever convenient to download synchronized WMA results on any device you rely on.
Process up to 5 files sized 1000 MB per batch without splitting queues manually. Mixed-format uploads convert together, producing consistent WMA audio with dependable progress tracking.
Typically an m4a audio stream is encoded using the lossy Advanced Audio Coding format or AAC compression format which has a minimal tradeoff of audio quality in favor for storage size. In situations where maximum quality is required, the Apple Lossless Audio Codec or ALAC can be used.
The original WMA format could only be encoded in one audio format, WMA. As of writing (2015), the most recent WMA format supports up to four formats, namely WMA, WMA Lossless, WMA Pro, and WMA Voice which targets authors who specifically wish to encode speech content. Encoding in WMA can be done on audio samples at up to 48 KHz in either single or dual channel (stereo).
Upload your audio file in the M4A format from your device, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Select WMA as the output format and click Convert. Adjust optional settings if needed.
Download the converted audio file. Each file stays available for up to 5 downloads.