Audacity - saving m4a files

[WorriedNoodle]

I've used Audacity to edit m4a audio files and notice if I re-save it after edit, the new m4a file size is about 4 times bigger using the m4a export option using the export m4a(AAC) option. I suppose this is becuase the bit rate is higher and there is no option to change it on export menu? If I choose custom (ffmpeg) export option then the file size reduces to somewhere closer (if I enter lower bit rates) to original but output can be clearly heard to be less clear in sound quality.

So what am I doing wrong with Audacity and how can I recreate same m4a file size with same sound quality?

[schondie]

Why not save the files in the mp3 format? Unless you're using high end audio equipment you'll probably not notice any loss of quality.

[WorriedNoodle]

Yes, thanks. I have resorted to saving to mp3. Previously I chose mp3 with a higher bit rate making files much larger than original m4a files, but if I choose a lower bitrate the file sizes can be about the same and I cannot tell much difference in sound quality.

Indeed if I save with 128kbits or 64kbits I cannot tell much difference in sound quality to my ears?

[chiang mai]

Would Audacity be a sensible choice for capturing Youtube music in MP3 format under Windows 8.1 or is there a better way, please?

[WorriedNoodle]

I only use Audacity to edit files - I like it as its open source. However now I have switched to Adobe Audition which is a heck of a lot faster opening and saving files and overall seems more efficient on the cpu.

To get Youtube music I use a Youtube down-loader (mp4 file format) then convert it to mp3. Much faster than recording with Audacity or the like.