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What Is the M4A Format? Understanding the Difference Between M4A, MP3, and WAV

MPEG-4 Audio, or M4A for short, is an audio file format from Apple that can store several audio content types, including songs, audiobooks, and podcasts. It saves audio data in a MPEG-4 file, encoding it with the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) or the Advanced Audio Coding codec (AAC).

The MPEG-4 format is a multimedia container that supports audio, video, and other data (such as subtitles and image data) encoded using various codecs. A MPEG-4 file containing video content will have the .mp4 extension, while a MPEG-4 file that only stores audio content will have the .m4a file extension. This distinction helps users differentiate between video and audio-only MPEG-4 files.

The most common use for the M4A format is for downloading audio files from Apple’s iTunes Store. Usually, this content includes songs encoded using AAC compression, helping to reduce the file size. Another feature is that audio files with copyright protection use the .m4p extension.

This article is a part of our series about video formats.

In this article:

M4A File Format Specification

The M4A format specification uses one of two codecs—AAC or ALAC. You will need to choose between these codecs when converting files to M4A:

  • AAC is a compressed codec, meaning it will result in a smaller file size but lower audio quality
  • ALAC provides lossless compression, meaning it provides maximal audio quality but larger file size compared to AAC.

M4A files are made up of contiguous chunks, each with an 8-byte header indicating the type of data in the chunk.

The first 4-byte chunk will be of type “fftype” and has a sub-type at offset 8 which must be M4A_. The following chunks will have one of the following signatures: “ftyp”, “mdat”, “moov”, “pnot”, “udta”, “uuid”, “moof”, “free”, “skip”, “jP2 “, “wide”, “load”, “ctab”, “imap”, “matt”, “kmat”, “clip”, “crgn”, “sync”, “chap”, “tmcd”, “scpt”, “ssrc”, “PICT”.

Related content: Read our guide to video codecs

M4A vs. MP3

MP3 is a popular audio format with almost universal compatibility.

M4A and MP3 have a lot in common:

  • Both are designed for audio downloads and do not contain video or other types of media
  • Both use a compression mechanism to reduce the size of music files

Key differences between the formats:

  • Quality—M4A files have better sound quality compared to MP3s, mainly due to the high bitrate of M4A. This also means they have a relatively large file size. However, in some scenarios, M4A can have a smaller file size because it has more efficient compression. For example, if a song needs to be encoded at a bitrate of 192Kbps for MP3, it can typically be encoded at 128Kbps for M4A, with the same quality and a smaller file size.
  • Compatibility—M4A does not have widespread support, while MP3 is supported by virtually all audio devices, computers, and mobile devices. M4A files can easily be converted to MP3 files if you need to listen to them on a non-compatible device.

M4A vs. WAV

The Waveform Audio File Format (WAV) is an audio container from IBM and Microsoft, making it a standard audio format for PCs that stores lossless audio data. WAV files require a large amount of storage space because the container holds uncompressed audio content. The typical size of a WAV audio file is approximately 10 MB per minute.

While both formats are good options for storing audio content, some important features differentiate them. Here are some main distinctions:

Compatibility

  • M4A is not always compatible with Windows apps and devices because it is an Apple Inc. design. For instance, Windows Media Player doesn’t support M4A files.
  • WAV works on all Windows devices because it is a format created by IBM and Microsoft. It also works on Mac computers and QuickTime Media Player.

File Size

  • M4A files often have audio content decoded using AAC compression, making them comparatively small.
  • WAV files store audio content in an uncompressed lossless format, making them larger than most other file types, including M4A.

Audio Quality

  • M4A files usually contain compressed content, resulting in lower audio quality. This format is suitable when prioritizing file size over quality.
  • WAV files are uncompressed, providing high-quality, lossless audio content. This container is the better format if the priority is quality.

Managing and Creating High-Quality Audio for Video with Cloudinary

Cloudinary offers controls for both video and audio. While editing a video with Cloudinary, you can upload the audio files separately and work with several other tools with transformation capabilities similar to photo-editing software: clip, stretch, and so on. Even if encoded, those tools work directly on audio and video.

Plus, by uploading and hosting videos with Cloudinary, you can apply transformations through APIs, which support services of all kinds. Cloudinary even comes with a video player.

Even though you can fix most audio problems with the correct tools, you need more help at times, especially if you’re working as a single developer. Give Cloudinary a try to see (and hear) how it can help you attain the video feel you aim for and reach wider audiences. Cloudinary also works with other services, boosting the range of features for managing audio.