Lots of video files are stored in MP4 format attributing to:
But you may sometimes just want to focus all your time on the audio of these MP4 video resources? Then how? Convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac, of course, do this in a way delivering the original file quality. You will be offered 5 ways to complete the mission.
To preserve the original quality of the MP4 resource, you may have to harness the power of a professional tool, let’s say, a Video Converter for Mac.
Cisdem Video Converter for Mac is an ideal assistant to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac, with original audio, video quality retained. It can also allow users to perform the conversion between different media file formats and handle 4k videos with optimized GPU acceleration.
Vital features of Cisdem MP4 to MP3 converter Mac:
Step 1. Upload MP4 files into the program
Install and run Cisdem Video Converter, it will take you to the convert tab by default.
Add MP4 files into the interface by drag and drop. You can add single or multiple files for bulk conversion.
Step 2. Choose MP3 as the output format
Click on the format icon on the right, the output library will pop up. Choose "General Audio" menu > "MP3 Audio". Alternatively, select format from "Convert all tasks to" on the bottom.
There is a gear icon for opening the "Advanced Settings" dialog. You can adjust your MP3 audio parameters there.
Step 3. Start the conversion
Click the button to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac. The conversion process will be very fast. Find the MP3 file in the output folder and play it - the audio file should be as clear as the original.
Tip: Edit MP4 videos
When you convert among video files, you can edit MP4 videos (apply the effect, add watermark, subtitles, etc.) before exporting them in any video format that your device supports.
If you are a Mac user, you can absolutely make full use of Mac’s built-in tool – iTunes (or Apple Music app). Let’s go directly to this MP4 to MP3 trick.
Note: It is not recommended that you manually change the file extension of MP4 video into MP3. When importing MP3, iTunes may not report back that the MP3 file is already imported in iTunes Library or may not play.
VLC is a pinup media player capable of playing almost all file formats on Mac and Windows. You might not know that it supports the transcoding function as well, but only in very few output formats, like MP3, OGG, WebM, FLAC, etc. Despite of the plain, sleek interface and gun-gray icon, it still owns multifarious customization options and tweaking the toolbar, helping you to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac in VLC.
Of course, if you don’t need to convert MP4 to MP3 very often, you can use the online free MP4 to MP3 converter for Mac. We pick 2 user-friendly converters for your choice: Zamzar.com and OnlineVideoConverter.com.
Zamzar is a multi-purpose file conversion site that supports a significant number of formats. Apart from converting media files, it also allows you to convert files between documents, images, e-Books, CAD, and archived files.
As its name suggests, Online Video Converter is a free online media converter that offers an excellent selection of conversion formats (7 video formats, 7 audio formats). There are three function-options, respectively are Convert a video link, Convert a video file, and Record a video.
The defects of 99% online video converters:
FFmpeg (full name "Fast Forward MPEG") is a collection of libraries and tools, making it possible to transcoding video to audio files. It supports all basic media codecs, such as H.264, H.265, AAC, Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, and so on.
QuickTime X, available on Mac OS X Snow Leopard or above, lets you export videos to 4k/1080p/720p/480 video and audio only. But the output audio format will be an M4A file.
QuickTime 7 Pro can merely transcode MP4 to AIFF, AU, and WAVE audio formats.
Obviously, neither the new version nor the old version of QuickTime supports converting MP4 to MP3 on Mac.
Handbrake is a cross-platform, GPL-licensed, and free transcoder for digital video. It provides advanced users with numerous parameter settings to alter the video quality, file size, and adjust frame rate accordingly.
But unluckily, Handbrake doesn’t allow audio conversion. This also means you have no chance to extract audio from video, rip DVD audio, or convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac by using Handbrake.
Quite often when converting MP4 to an audio format we will think of MP3, but for Mac users M4A is also an audio formats they are familiar with, as when they download songs from iTunes or Apple Music it will be in M4A format. So Is MP3 the same as M4A? While M4A and MP3 are both lossy audio formats, though M4A supposed to have a better-quality than MP3. But in terms of compatibility MP3 is more popular. So, If you only need to convert MP4 to an audio format for playing on Mac, then M4A is also a good choice.
Many users may first turn to the free solutions when running into such an MP4 to MP3 issue on Mac. However, if you are looking for an easy and high-quality conversion, I do recommend the Cisdem MP4 to MP3 Converter for Mac, which saves time and efforts without sacrificing the file quality.
Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.