M4A is a file extension for an audio file encoded
with advanced audio coding (AAC) which is a lossy compression. M4A was generally
intended as the successor to MP3, which had not been originally designed for audio
only but was layer III in an MPEG 1 or 2 video files. M4A stands for MPEG 4 Audio.
Both M4A and MP3 file extensions are used for audio-only files. Audio-only
MPEG 4 container files usually have an M4A file extension. M4A files are unprotected.
Protected files usually have an M4P file extension.
AAC or M4A file quality is better and file sizes smaller compared to MP3 files.
M4A files sound better than MP3 files when encoded at the same bit rate due to
some of the enhancements made to the format such as:
- Compression based on perception -- if it is not within human perception, that
sound data may be lost without notable effect to quality.
- Smaller sample block size of 120 or 128 samples rather than 192 for changing
(or transient) signals, allowing for more precise details where they are needed.
- Larger block sizes in stationary signals, 1024 or 960 vs MP3's 576 sample
blocks, allowing for less data to represent a portion of the music that does not
have the same complexity.
There are many CD burner freeware in the market. For example: ImgBurn, BurnAware
Free , CDBurnerXP, DeepBurner Free, InfraRecorder, Nero BurnLite, Windows Media
Player, and so on. To burn M4A to CD, I show you another way with foobar2000
freeware. foobar2000 is a freeware audio player
for Windows developed by Peter Pawlowski, a former freelance contractor for Nullsoft.
It is known for its highly modular design, breadth of features, and extensive
user flexibility in configuration. The foobar2000 supports a lot of formats and
burn audio CD as well.
![foobar2000](images/foobar2000.png)
To enable foobar2000 to burn audio CD, you need to install a free component.
It's Audio CD Writer.
![Install Audio CD Writer component](images/foobar2000-install-burninate.png)
After download completes, please install the component by right-clicking the
file and choosing "Install".
Instructions to Burn M4A to CD:
- Download and install foobar2000 freeware and Audio CD Writer
component
- Launch foobar2000 freeware
- Click menu File -> Add files
![Add files](images/foo2k-add-files.png)
- Choose M4A files and then click Open
![Choose M4A files](images/foo2k-choose-files.png)
- Adjust sequence of M4A files if necessary
- Select the M4A files you want to burn to CD, and then right-click
on the items and choose Convert -> Write audio CD
![Write Audio CD](images/foobar2000-write-audio-cd.png)
- Insert an empty CD-R or CD-RW disc to CD burner or CD Writer drive
- click OK to burn M4A to CD
![Write to CD](images/foobar2000-write-to-cd.png)
- Done
foobar2000 freeware runs on Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows
XP, and Windows 2000, both x86 and x64 editions compatible.
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