CNET Editors' review
M4A is the file extension for MPEG-4 Audio, the audio part of your MPEG-4 videos. Apple has used the M4a (small "a") designation for several of the low-loss audio formats it's sold for years at the iTunes Store. To add to the confusion, some have digital rights management encryption, and some don't. To make a long story short, compatibility is the issue, especially for people with large MP3 collections. Maniac Tools' Free M4a to MP3 Converter does what its name indicates: it converts M4a, AAC, 3GP, and MP4 Audio files to MP3s (or WAVs) that are compatible with most media players and portables. While we're on the subject of compatibility, we should point out that Free M4A to MP3 Converter doesn't convert or play M4B files used by audiobooks.
Free M4a to MP3 Converter's simple user interface is easy to understand. It has a two-tiered toolbar, but only the top row contains buttons that activate Free M4a to MP3 Converter's features, the Add, Remove, Play, and Convert buttons. The bottom row links to other Manic utilities functionally related to Free M4a to MP3 Converter, such as ID3 Tag Editor, MP3 Splitter/Joiner, and Movienizer. We didn't try these downloads. But the M4a tool proved easy to use and capable. We changed the destination from Explorer's Music folder to our own destination; we could also specify whether we wanted the tool to save converted files in the destination folder or somewhere else. Under Output Formats, clicking the Setup button opened a simple tool for setting MP3 audio quality and some general preferences. While all this was really pretty easy, there's a good Help file. A Notifications Area on the program's menu bar popped up with notice of more of the developer's tools.
When we'd set Free M4a to MP3 Converter's options, we merely had to add our files, select the output format, and press Convert. Many a music collection contains some orphan files awaiting conversion, and we found a few without too much trouble. The converted MP3s played normally and sounded great, too, in our usual media player, though Free M4a to MP3 Converter plays files, too.
Free M4a to MP3 Converter - Convert files in M4a/AAC format to MP3 - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From ManiacTools:
The race of audio formats has never ended or slowed down. Quite the opposite, it's just revving up and often confuses people by the variety of formats they have to choose from. So far, MP3 has been the most popular format in the world, but Apple's iTunes is catching up quickly with their M4A/AAC music due to the astounding sales volumes of their multimedia gadgets and the popularity of their online music distribution services. If you would like to be able to easily convert M4A/AAC music into MP3 and are seeking a simple, fast and affordable tool, Free M4A to MP3 Converter should be your first candidate for a permanent place in your software arsenal. The name of the software speaks for itself - it's free and narrowly focused. It allows you to convert m4a to MP3, convert AAC to MP3/WAV and listen to the converted music with the help of the built-in player. Using the program is a child's game - just browse your computer for m4a and aac audio, add the necessary files to the conversion list (or simply drag them from the Explorer and drop onto the working area of the application), specify the output location and the output audio parameters and click the "Convert" button on the toolbar. Free M4a to MP3 Converter also supports M4B files, which are usually used for audio books, so you won't have any problems converting this rather rare format into MP3, which can be played on virtually any audio device these days. If your original m4a or AAC audio had any tags with song-related information, they will be preserved as well, as the software supports tag inheritance during conversion. The program is currently available in 11 languages that you can switch on the go. For a free, stable and fast M4A conversion tool, look no further than Free M4a to MP3 Converter. Offering a functional minimum of features, it is perfect for what it was created for.
What's new in this version: [+] An option to scan all M4a files in the selected folders and subfolders. [+] An option to delete the original file after a successfull conversion. [-] Bugs fixed.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 140 votes
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Current version:
2.9 starsout of 26 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Don't do it!"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
I don't even know if it works.
Cons
I wish I had taken the time to read the reviews. I just saw that CNET had given this an OUTSTANDING rating and downloaded. What a mess! All kinds of programs loaded including spyware.
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"DO NOT INSTALL"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
None, sure it does what it says... but it installed a load of spyware and hacked all my browser settings without a scintilla of warning.
Cons
Maleware. Malware. Malware.
Summary
um... Malware
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"They 'infect' you with stuff you don't want...!"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
Can't get passed the cons to bother with Pros...!
Cons
I'm so incensed by this piece of devious software that I've actually bothered to register on CNET.
Despite having a fair idea of computer downloads I got 'stung' with malware. I literally uninstalled after 1 minute because I refuse to use anyone's software if they're not going to be upfront about what you're downloading. Even after going back to a previous restore point I had to mess around with my browser settings. Poor show CNET - I went to your site en though it wasn't the first on my list cos I expected better from you...! remove this devious rubbish from your site!Summary
Malware, malware, malware!
If you want to convert to mp3 but want your browser screwed up use this piece of crap! -
"Excellent app - tarnished with sneaky malware"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
Does the deed with a very intuitive and functional user interface. It was a lifesaver when I discovered that winamp was creating m4a's ... after I had burned a half dozen CD's with it.
Cons
I unchecked the boxes and it appears (so far) that it didn't install anything unwanted. But the installer is very deceptive and tries to trick you into leaving them checked. That sort of shenanigans is inexcusable for a site with a (former) good reputation such as CNET. Personally I'd much rather pay a fair price than deal with this crap. I would have given the app five stars otherwise. I'll tend to avoid CNET in the future.
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"Malware! This will install Junkware!"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
It does convert to MP3 but at a terrible cost.
Cons
It want's to install more than 10 programs of junkware onto your computer. I wish I read the reviews first! Don't make the same mistake that I did. I honestly can't believe that Download continues this practice. Junk Junk Junk.
Summary
I wouldn't download it again.
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"CNET - Asleep at the switch"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
There are none.
Cons
This program is full of adware. I wish I had never installed on my computer. I have been working on removing all of the malicious programs for hours. DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS PRODUCT.
Summary
The product is full of adware programs. DO NOT DOWNLOAD. Someone at CNET is asleep at the switch! How could CNET recommend this program?
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"Horrible Horrible"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
None at all -- do not download
Cons
I even signed up with CNET so I that could tell everyone how I cannot get all of the junk software off my computer that came with this converter. And yes, I checked or unchecked to not get the the junk. It changed my home page, lost my favorites bar, and is causing me to spend a great deal of time trying to get back to normal. CNET please remove this horrible software.
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"Don't even consider downloading. Cnet needs to remove!"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
Nothing good to say.
Cons
Indredible amount of bloatware, malware, adware and the program itself won't uninstall. I looked only at the star ratings and didn't bother to read reviews. I hope others do. I also hope a fix is posted somewhere in terms of how to get rid of this program. The uninstaller doesn't work.
Summary
DO NOT DOWNLOAD and think twice before assuming 4 stars on Cnet means anything.
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"Do not download this program!!!!"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
It does work as described but at a high cost.
Cons
Installs a ton of malware on your computer.
Summary
I have downloaded many programs from cnet and have always been pleased with the results. But I will be going elsewhere from now on. I unchecked all the extra programs this download tried to install but still ended up with unwanted programs, toolbars, and malware. My malware software found 34 pieces of malware after downloading this program!!! All the positive reviews posted here are obviously fake. I can't believe cnet dropped the ball on this one.
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"Installs a bunch of crapware along with itself"
Version: Free M4a to MP3 Converter 8.1
Pros
-works at expected
Cons
-installs a bunch of unwanted software along with it
-access the Internet when it's not requiredSummary
Find another program instead. The headaches that comes after is insane. Dont know what kind of personal data it stole from me from accessing the internet.
AVOID!!
