Why Your AIFF Files Take Up So Much Space
AIFF files are uncompressed audio at its finest-CD-quality sound with no data loss. But that quality comes at a cost: roughly 10 MB per minute of stereo audio. A typical 4-minute song takes up over 40 MB. If you have a music collection or podcast archive in AIFF format, you're looking at serious storage consumption.
M4A solves this problem elegantly. Using AAC compression (the same codec behind iTunes and Apple Music), M4A files are about 80% smaller while maintaining audio quality that most listeners can't distinguish from the original. In our testing, a 50 MB AIFF track consistently converted to around 8-10 MB in M4A format with no perceptible quality loss during playback.
How to Convert AIFF to M4A
- Upload your AIFF file - Drag and drop or browse to select your audio file
- Confirm M4A as output - M4A is preset for optimal Apple device compatibility
- Download your converted audio - Get a significantly smaller file ready for any device
The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting for email links. Upload, convert, download-done.
AIFF vs M4A: Technical Comparison
Both formats come from the Apple ecosystem, but they serve different purposes:
| Feature | AIFF | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None (uncompressed PCM) | AAC or ALAC |
| File Size (4-min song) | ~40-50 MB | ~5-10 MB |
| Audio Quality | Perfect (lossless) | Excellent (near-lossless) |
| Best For | Archiving, professional editing | Listening, sharing, portable devices |
| Apple Device Support | Full | Full |
| Metadata Support | Good | Excellent (album art, lyrics) |
AIFF was developed by Apple in 1988 for professional audio work. It stores uncompressed pulse-code modulation (PCM) data-the same raw format used on audio CDs. M4A came later, designed for the portable music era where storage efficiency matters more than archival perfection.
When to Convert AIFF to M4A
Building a Portable Music Library
Your AIFF collection sounds great on your studio monitors, but those 40 MB files eat through phone storage fast. Converting to M4A lets you carry thousands of songs instead of hundreds, with quality that holds up on earbuds and Bluetooth speakers.
Sharing Audio Files
Email attachments have size limits. Cloud storage fills up. When you need to share audio with collaborators or clients, M4A files transfer faster and don't trigger file size warnings.
Podcast Distribution
Podcast hosts and streaming platforms prefer compressed formats. Raw AIFF recordings need conversion before publishing. M4A maintains voice clarity while meeting hosting requirements.
Freeing Up Mac Storage
If you recorded audio directly on your Mac, you might have hundreds of gigabytes in AIFF files. Converting your listening library to M4A can reclaim significant drive space while keeping your production masters in AIFF.
Understanding Audio Quality After Conversion
The question everyone asks: will my music sound worse? Here's the honest answer.
AAC compression (which M4A uses) removes audio frequencies that human ears struggle to detect. At 256 kbps-the standard for iTunes purchases-most people cannot tell the difference between M4A and the original AIFF in blind listening tests. In our testing across various genres, from classical to electronic to spoken word, converted M4A files were indistinguishable from sources during normal playback on consumer equipment.
For critical listening on audiophile equipment, some trained ears might notice subtle differences. But for everyday use-commutes, workouts, background listening-M4A delivers everything you need.
Alternative Conversion Options
M4A isn't the only destination for your AIFF files. Consider these alternatives based on your needs:
- AIFF to MP3 - Maximum compatibility with older devices and car stereos that don't support M4A
- AIFF to FLAC - Lossless compression that cuts file size in half while preserving every audio detail
- AIFF to WAV - Switch to Windows-native uncompressed format for cross-platform professional work
- AIFF to AAC - Same codec as M4A but in a different container format
Choose M4A when Apple device compatibility and file size reduction are both priorities. Choose MP3 when you need universal playback on any device made in the last 25 years. Choose FLAC when you want smaller files without any quality compromise.
Batch Conversion for Large Libraries
Have hundreds of AIFF files to convert? Upload multiple files at once and convert them all in a single batch. This is especially useful when migrating an entire music library or processing a season's worth of podcast recordings.
Each file converts independently, so one problematic file won't stop your entire batch. Download converted files individually or grab them all at once.
Works Everywhere
Our converter runs entirely in your browser, so it works on any device:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones
No software to install, no plugins required. If your device has a modern web browser, you can convert AIFF to M4A right now.
Keeping Your Original Files
Converting to M4A doesn't delete your AIFF originals. We recommend keeping your AIFF masters archived for these reasons:
- Future flexibility - You can always create new M4A, MP3, or other formats from the lossless original
- Professional editing - Audio editing software works best with uncompressed source material
- Format evolution - Better compression algorithms emerge; original masters let you re-convert later
Think of AIFF as your master archive and M4A as your working distribution format.