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Get an M4A out of a video

Take just the sound out as M4A (AAC). At the same file size, it sounds better than MP3.

  1. Choose a video

    Drop a video here, or

    Your video never leaves your device

  2. What do you want to do?

  3. How do you want to edit it?

    Pick as many as you like. Each one opens its own editing screen, and they are all applied in one pass at the end.

  4. Make the file

Four promises

No upload

Your video is handled only on your own device. It is never sent anywhere, so you can safely use it with work or school videos.

Just pick

Pick Discord as the place you are sending to, and the size and the picture quality are set for you. There is nothing complicated to set up.

No watermark

Nothing is stamped onto your video, and there is no limit on how many you make.

Picture quality like the pros

We use the numbers people use in video work. If the picture quality is going to drop a lot, we tell you before you save.

How to use it

  1. Press "Choose a video" and pick a video.
  2. Check that the format says "M4A".
  3. Pick the sound quality, then press "Compress and save".
  4. Open the saved M4A in a music app.

M4A (AAC) sounds better at the same size

M4A stores audio compressed with AAC, which is generally considered better than MP3 at the same bitrate. It suits iPhone, iPad and Mac, and drops straight into the music app.

  • For yourself, mostly Apple devices — M4A
  • Handing it to other people or older gear — MP3
  • Going into editing — WAV

What your browser can make

Saving audio uses what the browser provides, so there are differences.

  • Chrome on Windows can only produce 96, 128, 160 and 192kbps. Choose anything else and it switches to the nearest value and says so on screen.
  • Firefox may not be able to produce M4A at all — use MP3 or WAV.
  • MP3 and WAV work in every browser.

Good uses

  • Carrying a long recording around. An hour-long talk comes to about 60MB.
  • Language or rehearsal material. Edit the length to keep just the passage you need.
  • Fixing a quiet recording. Use it together with raise the volume.

The audio you take out is not sent anywhere either; it is all processed inside your browser (why it is safe).

Tips from the pros

  • If you are going to listen on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, M4A is the easy one.
  • Some devices, such as older car stereos, cannot read M4A. Pick MP3 for those.
  • When the sound in the video is already AAC, it can sometimes be taken out without being rebuilt, so nothing is lost.

Common questions

Which is better, M4A or MP3?

At the same file size, M4A sounds better. MP3 is the one that plays everywhere.

Does M4A work with iTunes?

Yes. Apple devices and iTunes both handle M4A (AAC).

Can I listen on Windows?

Yes. You can open it in Media Player on Windows.

How big is the file?

At 192kbps it is about 1.4MB per minute.

It says this device cannot make it.

Some browsers cannot make AAC. Pick MP3 or WAV instead.

Keep going with this video

Your video carries over. You do not have to choose it again.