/ How to

How to Convert a MP4 to MP3: Transforming Audio Files

Converting video files like MP4s into just the audio in MP3 format can be useful for saving storage space or listening to podcasts and music offline. The process of converting an MP4 file into an MP3 audio file is straightforward with the right software tools. Here is a step-by-step guide to converting MP4s into MP3s on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Why Convert an MP4 File to MP3

There are several reasons you may want to extract the audio from an MP4 video file and save it as an MP3:

  • Save disk space: MP3 files take up much less storage space than video files. Converting MP4s to MP3s allows you to store more audio content using less memory.
  • Listen to audio offline: If you want to listen to a podcast or other audio content without needing to load the video, converting to MP3 format gives you a lightweight audio-only version you can take on the go.
  • Remove video when only audio is needed: You may only be interested in the audio track of a video file. Converting to MP3 format gives you just the audio content.

Software Options for Converting MP4 to MP3

You’ll need audio conversion software to transform an MP4 file into an MP3 efficiently. Here are some of the top programs for the job:

  • Windows: The free software Freemake Video Converter or paid software like Switch Audio Converter work well for converting MP4s to MP3s on Windows machines.
  • Mac: Mac users can turn to iTunes or dedicated conversion tools like Any Video Converter for MP4 to MP3 conversion capabilities.
  • Online: For quick, hassle-free MP4 to MP3 conversion, online converters like Convertio, Zamzar or Online Audio Converter get the job done for free without any downloads or installations.

Step-by-Step Guide for Converting MP4 to MP3

Follow these simple steps to convert your MP4 files into MP3 audio files on both Windows and Mac operating systems:

On Windows

  1. Download and install Freemake Video Converter if you don’t already have audio conversion software. Launch the program.
  2. Click the “Add Video” button and select the MP4 file you want to convert from your file explorer. You can batch convert multiple MP4s at once if needed.
  3. In the output format section, click the “Audio” tab and select “MP3” as your desired output format.
  4. Configure any other output settings you want like bitrate quality and metadata, then click the “Convert” button to start ripping the audio.
  5. Select a save location and file name for the converted MP3 file when prompted. The software will now extract and encode the audio track for you.
  6. When the conversion finishes, locate the MP3 audio file and confirm it plays properly. You can now delete the original MP4 if desired.

On Mac

  1. Open iTunes and add the MP4 video file you want to convert through iTunes > File > Add to Library. Alternatively, drag and drop the MP4 directly into your iTunes library.
  2. Right click the video file in iTunes and choose “Create MP3 Version” to convert only the audio portion to an MP3.
  3. Edit the song details and metadata if desired in the iTunes info pane. When ready, click File > Save to save the changes.
  4. Locate the converted MP3 file in your iTunes Media folder. You can play it or sync it to an iPhone or iPod as you would any other audio file.

That’s all there is to it! Converting MP4 files to MP3 only requires a few clicks with the right audio conversion app. Both Windows and Mac platforms make it simple to transform multi-media videos into lightweight, audio-only MP3 tracks.

Tips for Best Results Converting MP4 to MP3

Follow these tips when ripping MP3 audio out of MP4 video files:

  • Choose a high bitrate for best quality: For music MP3s, use a constant bitrate of at least 256kbps or a variable bitrate averaging ~200kbps. Lower bitrates can reduce audio fidelity.
  • Keep ID3 metadata for tags: Converting MP4 files can discard ID3 metadata like artist, album and title details. Configure your encoder to retain existing metadata.
  • Downmix multi-channel audio: Surround sound won’t play properly in stereo MP3 files. Choose the stereo downmix option when available.
  • Trim quiet gaps before encoding: Use editing software to trim any blank gaps of silence at the start or end of an MP4 file prior to converting to MP3.
  • Store MP3s on solid state drives: Due to their fragmentation nature, MP3 files benefit greatly from the faster data access speeds of SSD storage compared to traditional hard drives.

Related Posts