A Simple and Fast M4A to MP3 Converter for Windows

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How to Convert M4A to MP3 Using Audacity? | Detailed Guide

Updated on Jan 17, 2025

Audacity is a powerful and open-source audio processing tool that can edit, record, and convert audio files. However, you may fail to use it to change M4A to MP3 since M4A is not supported by Audacity natively. No worries! In this post, you will learn how to install the FFmpeg library to let Audacity convert M4A to MP3.

If you don’t want to download any plug-in, try this audio converter to convert your audio files quickly in batches.

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How to Convert M4A to MP3 in Audacity?

Part 1. Install FFmpeg Library for Audacity

Part 2. Convert M4A to MP3

How to Convert M4A to MP3 without FFmpeg?

How to Convert M4A to MP3 in Audacity?

Audacity is a powerful audio program to edit, record, and convert audio files. Yet, it does not work with all types of audio. Letting Audacity convert M4A to MP3 is exactly such a case. Audacity can’t recognize M4A as import inherently but it allows users to install the third-party FFmpeg library to add the support for M4A inputs. Based on this, the whole M4A to MP3 conversion will be divided into two parts: Install FFmpeg library for Audacity and convert M4A to MP3. Let’s delve into the details.

Part 1. Install FFmpeg Library for Audacity

Step 1. Go to the FFMPEG library download page: https://lame.buanzo.org/#lamewindl

Step 2. Scroll down to “TO DOWNLOAD Lame and FFmpeg for Windows, click links BELOW” and click “FFmpeg RECOMMENDED ZIP OPTION: FFmpeg for Audacity 3.2 on Windows.zip” to download FFmpeg for Windows and latest Audacity versions.
Tips. Mac and Linux users can apply the similar steps to install the FFmpeg library for Audacity.

Step 3. Find the downloaded .exe file on your computer and double-click it to run the installer.

Step 4. Hit Yes > OK > Next >Next, and specify the destination as C:\Program Files\FFmpeg for Audacity or C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity for Windows 64 bit version.

Step 5. Click Next > Yes > Install. Now, you have finished the FFmpeg installation.

Convert M4A to MP3 audacity

Now, restart Audacity. Before starting conversion, you can manually check if the FFmpeg library is installed for Audacity with the following steps.

Step 1. Launch Audacity, go to Edit > Preferences.

Step 2. On the Preferences dialog, select Libraries > FFmpeg Library: Locate.

Step 3. If you have installed FFmpeg, a success dialog will pop up. If not, you will see a “Locate” FFmpeg dialog. Click Browse and select avformat-55.dll in the folder containing FFmpeg.

Step 4. Click Open > OK > OK.

Locate the FFmpeg library manually

Part 2. Audacity Convert M4A to MP3

Step 1. Open Audacity, click File > Open. Select and import an M4A file. You can also go to File > Import > Audio to import 2 or more files for batch conversion.

Step 2. Still open the File drop-down menu. Click on Export Audio > Export to computer.

Step 3. Name the file, select an output path, set the Format as MP3, and keep other settings default. For advanced users, you can also adjust these audio settings according to your needs.

Step 4. Click Export to start the conversion.

Audacity M4A to MP3

Also Read: Split Tracks in Audacity l Audacity Merge Tracks l Audacity MP4 to MP3

How to Convert M4A to MP3 without FFmpeg?

It’s a complex process to make Audacity convert M4A to MP3. If you need to convert multiple tracks in Audacity, it can also be time-consuming unless you apply the Audacity Apply Chains features, which needs further settings. For a much simpler and faster solution, here we highly recommend you use WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro, one of the best audio converters that helps to batch convert all kinds of audio files effortlessly.

Free downloadFree download the software and see how convenient it is for M4A to MP3 conversion below.

Step 1. Launch HD Video Converter Factory Pro and select “Converter” on the main interface. Next, click “Add files” and import all your M4A audio files. You can also directly drag files into the program.

Step 2. Click the big format icon on the right side and choose “MP3” under the “Audio” tab.

Step 3. Hit the small triangle icon at the bottom and specify the output path. Then, click “Run”. The converter will process all the files simultaneously and complete the conversions soon.

Sum Up

Audacity empowers to process varied audio tasks by installing external plug-ins and customizing its built-in setting options. We have discussed the detailed process of Audacity M4A to MP3 conversion with the help of FFmpeg library plug-ins. If it works for you in some ways, please share the post with more friends.