How do I open m4a files in Sound Forge 14 app without converting

Aragon wrote on 10/27/2020, 5:43 PM

Hi, Magix Team,

I've purchased SF14 from windows10 store today for editing many of my m4a files recorded from iphone device.

Unfortunately, I get to know m4a file can't be open directly in SF SW as default, when I found previous some questions here. So I tried Legacy Quicktime player 7.7.9 firstly and tried to associate m4a file type to SF recognized, but still failed. Firstly, I can't find SF app location (Audiostudio140.exe) in windows file explorer even though using Default Program editor. (I guess Windows app file association is different from legacy application)

- I saw Audiostudio140.exe app in Windows 10 file type configuraiton. But it can't be added in m4a exension.

So hope to get guide how to add m4a file in SF Audio Studio 14 (x64) windows app again.

Thanks.

RGDS SungYoon

Comments

rraud wrote on 10/27/2020, 6:21 PM

Welcome to the Magix Sound Forge users forum @Aragon.

Try changing the file's extension to <.mp4>. Both use the same AAC audio codec. If you need to re-encode it back to <.m4a> for iTunes and such, save as a MP4 (AAC), then change the extension back to <.m4a> as the final step.

btw, I also recommend enabling the "Always proxy lossy formats" option in "Options> Preferences> General"... if it is not on already.

Aragon wrote on 10/27/2020, 8:34 PM

Hi, Rick,

Thanks for replying my question quickly.

I changed to file extension to mp4 and set "Always proxy compressed formats" enabled, but still SF14 Windows store version can't open media file with windows pop up. It shows like this.

An error occurred during the current operation.

The file format plugin for the specified format was not properly initialzed.

Of course both of mp4 and m4u file can be opened in Quicktime and iTunes.

Hope to try replicate problem in SF14 app.

Thanks.

RGDS SungYoon

rraud wrote on 10/28/2020, 10:51 AM

Try installing QT-lite or QT-Alt codec. As a work-around, you could covert the files to a PCM format on-line for editing is SF.. That said, both MP4 and M4a files open w/o issue in SF versions 10 though 14 on my PCs. I have the QT Alt codec installed.

FWIW, I use the free version of the Tentlcle recorder that records PCM format files on my iOS devices.

emmrecs wrote on 10/28/2020, 11:09 AM

@Aragon

Your mention of Audiostudio14.exe suggests that you actually have Sound Forge Audio Studio 14, rather than the "full" Sound Forge Pro. Could the fact you are running this "lower-spec" version be the reason for the problem?

@rraud I know you don't have SFAS but I wonder whether this could be the reason? I have SFAS 12, but no m4a files to test with.

Jeff

rraud wrote on 10/28/2020, 12:33 PM

@emmrecs, I do not think the SF version has much to do with it. I suspect a codec issue. I'm not sure about M4a, but MP4 files can have different codecs.

Here is an M4a test file you may download to test in AS
https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZGVzHXZeyNo4vBJy9QaQn0I4iOxN5GU2P8V

emmrecs wrote on 10/28/2020, 1:47 PM

@rraud

Hi Rick.

Thanks for the file. As you surmised, no problem opening it in SFAS 12.6.

Jeff

Aragon wrote on 10/28/2020, 3:46 PM

Hi, Rick and Jeff

Here's my summary result after Rick's suggestion, but did not resolve my codec problems in SF14.

Problem Description : SFAS14 can't open "m4a" (Apple iphone recorded voice) file type even after changing file extension.

Program : SFAS14 (Windows Store Edition). I've not used any of previous version of SF before.

1. Both of Quick Time 7.79 and QuickTime Lite 4.10 help to play m4a in different audio player, but both don't help to add m4a extention in SFAS14. Unknown file format occurs in SFAS14 after renaming extension with mp4.

2. With DefaultProgramsEditor, I can't find any path of SFAS14 or CLSID ({~~~} type) of SFAS14 app. Just found

3. SF app (SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 14(x64) appears in windows 10 File Associations for .sfw, .sfa etc file extensions. But can't assign it for m4a file.

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-change-file-associations-in-windows-2624477

Of course, after converting to mp3 from m4a by differnt tool (iSkysoft Convert), it works fine for opening in SF14. Instead I'm afraid if there's of sound loss after converting job.

Thanks

RGDS Sungyoon

rraud wrote on 10/28/2020, 4:20 PM

"(Apple iphone recorded voice)" What app did you use so I can try it. I tried the default voice memo app which recorded a M4a, that file opened and playback in SF w/o issue
You may want to contact Magix tech support if nothing works..

Does the M4a file open in SF when dragged to the timeline. If it does, you can easily add a right-click context menu command with DefaultProgramsEditor: "File type settings> Context menu"
You will not be able to encode a file with a <m4> extension in SF though, but as previous stated, you can encode an audio only MP4 and then change the extension.

AndAnotherThing wrote on 4/21/2021, 6:25 AM

OH man so I just upgraded to SF 15 Pro to edit my podcast which is only downloadable in M4A and MP3. MP3 is no good quality wise, and I cannot open an M4A in Soundforge........REALLY ? I could open an M4A in Ocen Audio ...a FREE program. FLUSTERED

rraud wrote on 4/21/2021, 9:20 AM

Is QuickTime installed on your PC?
M4a files use the AAC codec, try changing the extension <.mp4> which also uses the AAC audio codec. If that does not work, try <.aac> or <.raw>

MP3 is no good quality

Quality largely depends on the encode bitrate, same with AAC, though AAC has a higher max kbs.

FWIW, in my spoken word file sum / difference tests, a 44.1k mono 320kbs CBR MP3 is a mirror image of the PCM master. Music OTOH is more complex and usually stereo, so results are not as good.