This post explains how to trim M4A files using MiniTool MovieMaker (a Windows video editor), Audio Trimmer, and 123Apps Audio Cutter. Just add your M4A file, drag the sliders to specify the start and end points of the section you want to keep, and save the audio.

An M4A file is an MPEG-4 audio file used to store songs downloaded from the Apple iTunes Store. Sometimes, you may need to trim M4A files to cut out some parts of the beginning and end of the song to get to the climax.

You can trim your M4A file on a Mac using QuickTime Player. How to trim an M4A file on Windows? Windows Media Player can open M4A files, but it can’t trim M4A files. Therefore, this post offers 3 M4A trimmers for Windows computers, including

  • MiniTool MovieMaker
  • Audio Trimmer
  • 123Apps Audio Cutter

Here is a quick comparison table of these tools:

ToolMiniTool MovieMakerAudio Trimmer123Apps Audio Cutter
PlatformWindowsWebWeb
PriceFree + paidFreeFree
Export M4ANo, MP3 onlyYesYes
File size limitNo limit≤250MBNo limit
Batch processingNoNoNo

How to Trim M4A: Fast Track Steps

  1. Select an M4A trimmer and open it.
  2. Add the target M4A file.
  3. Drag the trim handles to choose the selection you want to keep.
  4. Export the trimmed file.

Quick video guide:

How to Trim M4A Files with MiniTool MovieMaker

As the name suggests, MiniTool MovieMaker is a video maker and editor. It comes with rich video editing tools and enables you to crop, resize, rotate, trim video, and more. This video editor supports the most popular video/audio/image formats like M4A and can only export MP3 audio files. Therefore, it can work as an M4A trimmer.

mm-1-logo MiniTool MovieMaker
  • Split and trim videos to remove redundance.

  • Change video aspect ratio to match screen sizes.

  • Add bubble texts, bgm, transitions, and more effects.

  • Create PiP or split-screen videos by multitrack editing.

mm-img-style-1

Now, let’s see how to trim M4A files.

1. Install the M4A Trimmer

Download and install the software on your PC.

2. Import the M4A File

Launch this application and close the promotion window to access the main user interface. Next, click Import Media Files to open your M4A audio file and drag it to the audio track on the timeline.

3. Trim the M4A File

Select the M4A clip on the timeline. Hover your mouse cursor over the start or end point of the clip. Then the Trim icon appears. Drag the icon toward the middle of the clip to remove unwanted portions of the clip at the beginning or end.

trim M4A with MiniTool MovieMaker

After that, you can preview the trimmed M4A file. If you’re not satisfied with the result, put the mouse cursor over the start or end point of the clip and drag the arrow to the right or left to adjust.

4. Export Audio

To export your audio, click Export at the top. From the Export settings window, expand the Format dropdown menu and choose MP3 from the list. Select the output folder and click Export.

If you still want to get an M4A file, you need a free audio converter like MiniTool Video Converter to convert MP3 to M4A.

MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Tips:
By the way, many people want to trim M4A files in Audacity, a professional audio editing and recording software. Before that, you need to convert it to another audio format like MP3 or WAV because Audacity cannot open M4A files without the optional FFmpeg library.
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How to Trim M4A Files with Audio Trimmer

Audio Trimmer is an online tool for trimming various audio files, such as M4A, MP3, WAV, Opus, FLAC, WMA, and more. You can use this service for free and without registration, but it has a maximum upload file size limit of 250MB.

1. Upload an M4A to Audio Trimmer

Go to the Audio Trimmer website and click the Choose File button to upload your M4A file.

2. Shorten the M4A File

Move the green handle toward the center to remove unnecessary parts at the beginning or end of the file.

Audio Trimmer

3. Trim and Save the Audio File

Optionally, you can toggle on the fade buttons to add the fade-in or fade-out effect. Click Crop to start the trimming process. Once done, download the M4A file.

How to Trim M4A Files with 123Apps Audio Cutter

123Apps offers a variety of video tools, audio tools, PDF tools, and file converters. For instance, it enables you to trim audio, change pitch, rotate video, reverse audio, crop video, adjust video speed, compress PDF, and more.

1. Upload M4A

Navigate to the 123Apps website and click Trim Audio under the Audio Tools. On the next page, click Open file to open your M4A file.

2. Trim M4A

Drag the blue sliders at both ends of the track to select the start and end of the desired sections. As shown below, the green section will be saved.

123Apps Audio Cutter

3. Save Audio

Also, you can fade in or fade out the audio and select another audio format. Click Save to save your audio file.

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Conclusion

It’s easy to trim M4A files on a Windows computer with the tools mentioned above. These applications can also trim other common audio file types besides M4A. If you encounter any issues while using MiniTool MovieMaker, email [email protected] for assistance.

People Also Ask

Can you trim an audio file in Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player does not come with any editing tool. If you want to trim M4A within this application, you have to download and install the SolveigMM WMP Trimmer Plugin from the official website or the Microsoft Store. This plugin turns WMP into a multimedia editor that allows you to trim video and audio, add voiceover to videos, extract sound from video, etc.
How do I trim audio in Windows 11?
1. Launch Microsoft Clipchamp on your PC.
2. Click Create a new video and import your audio file.
3. Drag and drop the audio file onto the timeline at the bottom.
4. Move the start handle to the right to cut the beginning, or drag the right-end handle to the left to cut the end.
5. Click Export and select Audio-only to save your trimmed audio file.
How to make an M4A audio file smaller?
To reduce the file size of an M4A audio file, you can trim the beginning or end, or delete a middle part to make it smaller. Alternatively, use an audio compressor or audio converter to lower the bitrate to shrink the file size.
Can VLC trim audio?
You can trim audio in VLC by recording an audio track as it plays rather than performing a traditional precision cut.
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