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Audio Conversion

Convert AIFC to WMA — Free Online Converter

Convert AIFF-C Compressed Audio (.aifc) to Windows Media Audio (.wma) online for free. Fast, secure audio conversion with no watermarks or registratio...

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How to Convert

1

Upload your .aifc file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.

2

Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.

3

Click Convert and download your .wma file when it's ready.

About AIFC to WMA Conversion

AIFC (AIFF-C) is Apple's compressed audio interchange format from classic Mac OS, supporting IMA ADPCM, MACE 3:1/6:1, G.711, and uncompressed PCM. WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary audio codec, introduced in 1999 as part of the Windows Media framework. WMA was Microsoft's answer to MP3 and AAC, commonly used in Windows Media Player, Zune, and early Windows Phone devices.

Converting AIFC to WMA bridges two competing ecosystems — Apple's legacy format and Microsoft's proprietary codec. The result is playable on Windows systems, older Microsoft devices, and applications that specifically require WMA input.

Why Convert AIFC to WMA?

WMA is natively supported on every version of Windows without additional codec installation. Windows Media Player, Groove Music (now Media Player), and Xbox media apps all handle WMA without configuration. If your target audience primarily uses Windows and you need guaranteed out-of-the-box playback, WMA delivers that.

Some enterprise environments and automotive infotainment systems from the 2000s-2010s era specifically support WMA but not AAC or Vorbis. Legacy Zune devices, older Windows Phones, and certain car stereos with USB input only recognize WMA among compressed audio formats. Converting AIFC to WMA targets these Windows-centric endpoints.

Common Use Cases

  • Making AIFC audio playable on Windows systems without installing any additional codecs
  • Converting legacy Mac audio for delivery to enterprise Windows environments
  • Preparing AIFC recordings for car stereos and infotainment systems that support only WMA
  • Creating WMA files from AIFC sources for legacy Windows Mobile and Zune devices
  • Integrating AIFC audio into Windows Media Center or Windows Media Server workflows

How It Works

FFmpeg decodes the AIFC container to raw PCM samples and encodes using the WMA v2 codec (wmav2). WMA v2 operates at bitrates from 32 to 320 kbps using a perceptual audio coding model similar to MP3's but with Microsoft's proprietary modifications. The encoded bitstream is wrapped in an ASF (Advanced Systems Format) container, which is Microsoft's container format for WMA and WMV content. Metadata is stored in ASF header objects.

Quality & Performance

WMA v2 at 192 kbps produces quality comparable to MP3 at the same bitrate — good but not as efficient as AAC or Opus. At 128 kbps, WMA handles speech and simple music well but may show artifacts on complex material. WMA v2 is generally considered inferior to AAC at the same bitrate but comparable to MP3. From uncompressed AIFC PCM, the quality loss is typical for mid-generation lossy codecs.

FFMPEG EngineFastMinimal Quality Loss

Device Compatibility

DeviceAIFCWMA
Windows PCPartialNative
macOSPartialPartial
iPhone/iPadPartialPartial
AndroidPartialPartial
LinuxPartialPartial
Web BrowserNoNo

Recommended Settings by Platform

Spotify

Resolution: N/A

Bitrate: 320 kbps

OGG Vorbis preferred

Apple Music

Resolution: N/A

Bitrate: 256 kbps

AAC format required

SoundCloud

Resolution: N/A

Bitrate: 128 kbps

Lossless FLAC/WAV for best quality

Podcast

Resolution: N/A

Bitrate: 128 kbps

MP3 mono for spoken word

Tips for Best Results

  • 1Use 192 kbps WMA v2 for good quality that is comparable to MP3 at the same bitrate
  • 2Only choose WMA when the target specifically requires it — AAC and Opus are superior codecs for all other use cases
  • 3WMA files use the .wma extension but are internally wrapped in an ASF container
  • 4For Windows 10/11, AAC is natively supported and preferred over WMA for new content
  • 5Keep original AIFC files as archival sources since WMA conversion is lossy and irreversible

AIFC to WMA converts Apple's legacy format into Microsoft's proprietary audio standard. This conversion is most relevant for Windows-only environments and legacy Microsoft devices that lack AAC support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not natively. macOS dropped WMA support years ago. VLC or Elmedia Player can play WMA on Mac, but for Apple devices, AAC/M4A is the proper choice.
WMA and MP3 are roughly comparable in quality. WMA performs slightly better at lower bitrates (below 128 kbps), while MP3 has broader compatibility. Both are surpassed by AAC and Opus.
Yes. WMA Lossless exists as a separate codec, but it is rarely used. Standard WMA (v2) is lossy. The conversion described here uses lossy WMA v2.
Most Android devices can play WMA through the default media player. Some budget Android phones may lack the WMA codec. For Android, OGG or AAC is a safer choice.
No. Microsoft has not updated WMA in years and has shifted focus to AAC for modern Windows apps. WMA persists for legacy compatibility but is not recommended for new projects.

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