AIFF to M4A: Apple Production Workflow Guide
Convert AIFF to M4A for iTunes, iPhone, and Apple Music. Covers GarageBand and Logic Pro export workflows with quality settings.
AIFF is Apple's lossless audio format — the default export from GarageBand and Logic Pro. M4A is the compressed delivery format for the Apple ecosystem: iTunes, iPhone, Apple Music, and iPad all handle M4A natively. Converting AIFF to M4A is the standard final step in an Apple-native production workflow.
AIFF as Your Production Master
GarageBand on macOS exports project audio as AIFF by default via Share > Export Song to Disk. Logic Pro bounces projects as AIFF at full project bit depth and sample rate. These AIFF files are your lossless masters — keep them archived regardless of what delivery format you use.
Converting AIFF to M4A on AudioUtils
Open AudioUtils in Safari on your Mac. Drag the AIFF file from Finder onto the converter. AIFF files from Logic Pro sessions can be large — 24-bit/48 kHz stereo files run roughly 17 MB per minute. The browser-based converter handles files in memory; allow 20–30 seconds for large files. Select M4A as the output format. Choose 256 kbps for standard delivery, 192 kbps for space-constrained storage, or 320 kbps for client delivery where maximum perceived quality matters. Click convert and save the M4A file.
Importing to iTunes and Music App
Drag the converted M4A file into the macOS Music app window, or use File > Import. The Music app recognizes AAC inside M4A and adds it to your library with full metadata support. Tags written to the AIFF file (title, artist, album, artwork) transfer to the M4A automatically during conversion.
Logic Pro Tip
Logic Pro can export directly to AAC (M4A) via File > Export > Project or Bounce. You do not necessarily need a separate conversion step. However, bouncing to AIFF first and then converting gives you both the lossless archive and a controlled AAC output — more reliable than trusting the DAW's export dialog to apply your preferred settings.
Never Delete the AIFF
The AIFF is your archive. If you need a different bitrate, a different format, or the audio for a future project, you re-encode from the AIFF — not from the lossy M4A. Store AIFF masters alongside your project files, backed up to at least two locations.