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The latest buzz word in the audio world is m4a. M4a files are an upgraded version of the popular mp3 format. Although many of the latest phones favor m4a formats for their music players, you can often only play ringtones that have the m4r format. We explain this in more detail below.

Differences between m4a and m4r

Technology and quality-wise, there is no difference between m4a and m4r files. Both file extensions were created by Apple and are used by two of their most popular products: iTunes and the iPhone. Both m4a and m4r file formats are lossless forms of audio compression; in other words, using lossless codecs songs can be compressed into much smaller file sizes without losing any of their original quality (unlike the lossy format of mp3 files).

The only difference between the two formats is that m4a files are seen as general audio files whereas the .m4r file extension helps your phone and computer distinguish between a ringtone file and other audio files.

Apple created the dedicated .m4r file extension specifically for use on their iPhones and they are typically 30 seconds or less. One reason why m4r files came about was so that users have to download (and pay for) a new file to use as a ringtone on their iPhone. Even if you already have the m4a file of your favorite song you will need to download the m4r version of it to be able to set it as your ringtone.

With many people reluctant to pay for snippets of songs they already own, numerous m4a to m4r converters have come about allowing you to turn your m4a songs into m4r ringtones free of charge. You can also use iTunes to convert m4a to m4r free of charge – which we discuss as well.

Convert m4a to m4r using iTunes

The majority of people wanting to convert from m4a to m4r will have access to iTunes – or can easily download it. Once you have your iTunes program open first select the song you wish to convert into a ringtone (m4r) format; listen to the song and take a note of the section of the song that you want as a ringtone (the chorus is the most popular choice), e.g. 00:42 – 00:52.

Then reselect the song you have chosen and click File and then Get Info from the drop-down menu. Now click ‘Options’ and input the start and stop times that you took note of before and click OK. Right click on the song again and select ‘Create AAC Version’; search for the .m4a file then rename it to include the .m4r file extension and click ok.

This process will then have converted your chosen song snippet into an .m4r file that can be synched with your iPhone and used as your new ringtone.

How to Convert m4a to m4r

If you don’t have iTunes or want an alternative way to convert from m4a to m4r then there are plenty of m4a to m4r converters available for download on the internet. Simply download an m4a to m4r converter and select the files you wish to convert and follow any specific instructions, then your song will quickly be converted.

To find an m4a to m4r converter the best place to start looking is on a reputable download website such as CNET’s Download (http://download.cnet.com) – as there is minimal risk of malware and viruses from these websites. If you can’t decide which one to go for, look at user and website reviews to get a good idea of whether it is a good choice. Currently one of the most popular free m4a to m4r converters is the Xilisoft iPhone Ringtone Maker (http://download.cnet.com/Xilisoft-iPhone-Ringtone-Maker/3000-18505_4-10908041.html?tag=mncol;2).

Another benefit of using online m4a to m4r converters is that you aren’t always limited to the thirty seconds that iTunes restricts you to.

Summary of m4a to m4r

Having our favorite song as our ringtone is one of the best ways to customize our phones. Knowing how to convert from m4a to m4r ensures that you don’t have to spend a fortune paying for ready-converted ringtones when you already own the song – simply convert it for free.