Taken from the Xmas Music link provided in another thread...
How do I get an mp3 file? What's up with the m4a files?
M4a (mpeg 4, AAC encoded) files are smaller in size, and sound better than the older mp3 files. If you want these files in mp3 format, you can transcode them in iTunes.
Open up iTunes
Open the iTunes preferences
Select the "Advanced" tab
Select the "Importing" tab
Change the "Import Using" to your desired target file format
(set optional settings such as bit rate)
Click "Ok"
Load the song into iTunes
Right click on the song and select "Convert selection to ..."
Repeat steps 7 and 8 for all files you want to convert.
How do I get an mp3 file? What's up with the m4a files?
M4a (mpeg 4, AAC encoded) files are smaller in size, and sound better than the older mp3 files. If you want these files in mp3 format, you can transcode them in iTunes.
Open up iTunes
Open the iTunes preferences
Select the "Advanced" tab
Select the "Importing" tab
Change the "Import Using" to your desired target file format
(set optional settings such as bit rate)
Click "Ok"
Load the song into iTunes
Right click on the song and select "Convert selection to ..."
Repeat steps 7 and 8 for all files you want to convert.