Native Export of AAC (.M4A)

[Starship Krupa]

This is my preferred lossy distribution format if I must go lossy.

I've already set up the Nero AAC Encoder for export.

I notice that I can drag and drop .M4A files into CbB, which implies that at least some of the CODEC is present, but it doesn't show up as an option in the Export dialog.

It would be nice if it did.

[Some Guy]

On 9/21/2019 at 12:19 AM, Starship Krupa said:

This is my preferred lossy distribution format if I must go lossy.

I've already set up the Nero AAC Encoder for export.

I notice that I can drag and drop .M4A files into CbB, which implies that at least some of the CODEC is present, but it doesn't show up as an option in the Export dialog.

It would be nice if it did.

Windows has a native AAC Decoder and Encoder when Windows Media Player is installed.

The DAW likely uses it (or its own AAC decoder), but doesn't have Encode Support.

Windows 10 has a ton of CODECs for a variety of formats. OGG, VP9, HEVC,  AAC, FLAC,  etc.

Software designed to use the Media Foundation Framework will transparently be able to use those.

That being said, it's not hard to just batch transcode from WAV to AAC with any Audio Editor (like Sound Forge Pro) - or even some NLEs.

Quality of implementation between CODEC variants isn't reliable, so even if it had AAC Support, it may or may not be a good encoder that you'd want to use.