Do you have a long M4A (or MPEG-4) audio file that you want to trim?
Well, we have the perfect solution!
We’ll teach you how to use Fireflies.ai as an M4A trimmer to create shareable bite-sized audio clips from your multimedia files.Let’s begin!
How to use Fireflies.ai as an M4A trimmer
Fireflies is a leading AI notetaker that records, transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes all your online and offline conversations.
It also allows you to upload and transcribe audio and video files. Once the file’s uploaded, you can trim the desired sections into short audio clips and download them as MP3 files.
There are 3 ways to trim M4A files using Fireflies:
- Highlight the transcript
- Drag and select on the audio player
- Auto-generate soundbites using AI
How to upload an M4A file to Fireflies
Step 1: Log in or sign up for Fireflies.ai using your Google or Outlook account.
Step 2: Go to Uploads.
Step 3: Click the upload box and select your M4A file.
You can also drag and drop the file from your device storage.
Step 4: Select your file’s language and click Upload.
Fireflies can transcribe audio in 60+ languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, French, Arabic, German, Dutch, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, and Italian.
Now, allow the file some time to upload. You'll notice a progress timer displaying the estimated time at the bottom right corner.
Fireflies will start processing the file. You can check the file’s status within the Uploads tab.
It will say Processing transcript.
You’ll receive an email from Fireflies once the file has been processed.
Open the email and click View meeting recap. Alternatively, go to Fireflies Notebook to view the file.
Now, you can start trimming your M4A file.
3 Ways to trim M4A files using Fireflies.ai
1. Trim M4A files by highlighting the transcript
This is the easiest way to trim important quotes or dialogues from an M4A file using Fireflies.
After you open the transcript, just highlight the section you want to trim.
Click Create Soundbite.
A dialogue box will open.
Fireflies automatically assigns names to the soundbites based on the transcript content using AI.
If you want, you can edit the name.
Now, click Done.
And done! You have successfully trimmed your M4A file.
2. Trim M4A files using drag and select
You can trim the file using the drag and select transcript method for more precise timing controls.
Step 1: Click Create Soundbite on the top right.
Step 2: Click Create next to the drag and select transcript option.
This will open a new window.
Step 3: Drag the left and right markers to select the section you want to trim.
You can also enter timestamps.
Press the play button to listen to the section you're trimming and adjust as necessary.
Once you’re satisfied, click Create Soundbite.
You’ll get the option to rename the file.
Click Done to create the sound bite.
3. Trim M4A files using AI
Users on paid Fireflies plans can trim M4A files automatically using AI. There are two ways to do it:
1. Magic Soundbites: Fireflies automatically identifies important moments in the audio and trims them into multiple files.
2. Keyword Soundbites: Fireflies creates soundbites relevant to specific keywords and phrases.
Let’s learn how.
a. Magic Soundbites
Step 1: Click Create Soundbite from the top right.
Step 2: Click Create next to the Magic Soundbites option.
Step 3: Click Generate Soundbites.
Fireflies’ AI will extract all key moments from your transcript.
Review them, and save the ones you want to.
Or, click Save All to keep them all at once.
You can also click Edit to change the name and length of the soundbite.
b. Keyword Soundbites
Step 1: Click Create Soundbite from the top right.
Step 2: Click Create next to the Keyword Soundbites option.
Step 3: Enter your desired keywords or phrases in the text box and click enter.
Fireflies will automatically trim all the relevant sections with those keywords.
You can review, edit, and save accordingly.
And that’s it! These are the three ways you can use Fireflies as an M4A audio trimmer.
How to download and share your trimmed M4A files
Once you’re done creating sound bites from your M4A file, you can easily download them as MP3 files:
Step 1: Go to the Soundbites tab.
Step 2: Click the three-dot menu for the soundbite you want to download.
Step 3: Click Download.
Step 4: You’ll be redirected to another page. Click the three-dot menu, and click Download.
Your file will now be saved to your device.
You can also share the files directly from Fireflies.
Just click the link icon to copy the soundbite link.
Now, you can seamlessly share soundbites on your preferred communication platform.
Why use Fireflies as your go-to M4A trimmer?
Sure, there are other M4A trimmers out there, but Fireflies offers a bunch of benefits that sets it apart:
- Multiple trimming methods: Whether you prefer manual or automatic trimming, Fireflies caters to your preferences and gives you total control.
- Effortless organization: Easily organize your sound bites into playlists. Create multiple playlists for different projects, topics, quotes, etc.
- Easy sharing: Share your audio clips effortlessly with colleagues or collaborators. Collaboration becomes seamless and efficient with simple download options or direct access links.
- Downloadable transcripts: Get over 90% accurate transcripts for uploaded files and trimmed audio clips. You can download transcripts in DOCX, PDF, SRT, CSV, and JSON formats.
- Playback speed controls: You can adjust the playback speed to 2x the normal speed. This helps save time while reviewing lengthy files.
- Privacy and security: Fireflies is compliant with SOC 2 TYPE II and GDPR standards. It offers private storage and a HIPAA-compliant version upon request. With zero-day data retention and adherence to BAA policies, your data is never used for training.
- Trim M4A files for free: Fireflies free plan offers 3 transcription credits. This means you can upload, transcribe, and trim 3 M4A files for free. For magic and keyword soundbites, simply upgrade to any Fireflies paid plan, starting at just $10/month.
- No software download: Fireflies doesn’t require any software download to trim M4A files on Windows and Mac devices. Use any browser to open the Fireflies web app and use it as an online M4A trimmer.
- Companion mobile app: Upload M4A files and trim audio clips directly from your mobile phone using the Fireflies mobile app.
Final thoughts
Use Fireflies to effortlessly trim M4A audio files and craft shareable soundbites.
With its user-friendly interface and versatile features, Fireflies.ai makes it easy to extract quotes, key moments, or dialogues from lengthy M4A files. Whether through manual selection, drag-and-select controls, or AI automation, Fireflies.ai offers multiple trimming methods to choose from.
