Big problems with M4A after updating to Windows 11 22H2

Anonymous

Dear colleagues, after updating Windows 11 to 22H2, there were significant problems with playing files purchased from iTunes in .m4a (AAC, ALAC) format. This problem has been fixed by a lot of people all over the world and is especially evident on the DJ forums. Problems are observed with the quality of playback, and with the volume and with a number of other parameters. This problem is detected on software that uses the built-in Windows 11 22H2 codecs (on earlier versions, the problem is not observed), Windows Media Player, RekordBox, Serato DJ Pro, etc. On players that use their own codecs (VLC, iTunes, JetAudio HD, etc.) there is no problem. When converting m4a to mp3, there are no problems. What it looks like: https://youtu.be/WqAA12pfWjg and https://youtu.be/um3QSTuLg6s Software vendors fix this issue after the 22H2 update as well, label it as a Microsoft issue and offer a workaround, such as converting the entire m4a database to other formats, which of course is completely unacceptable advice with a database of several thousand files. https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/12212808237337-RekordBox-5-8-7-m4a-problems Does Microsoft acknowledge the existence of this problem and when is it planned to release an urgent fix, since. the problem has been observed for a very long time and prevents normal operation?

Thanks in advance!

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Anonymous

I installed KB5035942 and unless I'm severely mistaken, the issue seems to be resolved.

Can anyone else confirm?

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Anonymous

2024-02-28T00:03:58+00:00

Hi Pete

I too have been waiting for the update to correct the issue with AAC codecs and have now waited until the "end of the month" but still to receive a fix patch. When is this coming please as it is severly affecting my ability to perform for my customers.

Thanks

Reuben
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Anonymous

2024-02-27T09:08:05+00:00

Pete, good afternoon, today is the end of the month :-) Do I understand correctly that the fix for the problem discussed here will be included in Windows 11 Moment 5 update? Will the list of fixes explicitly indicate that this particular issue (among others) has been fixed? Thank you!
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Anonymous

2024-02-25T06:24:17+00:00

I'm curious if there will truly be a resolution at the end of February 2024?

I just purchased Traktor Pro 3 and Native Instruments Z1 this month. I also just signed up for a DJ class and even bought a new touchscreen Dell laptop that runs Windows 11. I've spent almost $1800 on all of these items just to not be able to use them properly. I go to class and nothing is working. I'm spending hours scouring the internet for answers, and I stumble upon this thread with people having the same issue. It's not playing m4a or even the mp3 files purchased from the iTunes store. It just flashes unknown format at the bottom of Tracktor Pro 3. I came across on old thread saying to install QuickTime (I did) but still nothing, because I'm pretty sure QuickTime has been "discontinued". If anyone has some advice please let me know.

That doesn't seem related to this problem at all.

The issue discussed in this thread is about volume changes. It has to do with some special flags Apple puts in their iTunes m4a files which, when rendered per m4a spec, causes volume changes. Our fix is to ignore those flags.

The problem you're having sounds like Traktor didn't install correctly, or you are trying to read DRM'd files.

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/210274865-TRAKTOR-Error-Message-filename-could-not-be-played-due-to-a-missing-or-corrupt-file Are you in Europe? If so you may have the version of Windows (Windows 10/11 N) which has to ship without certain codecs and media player features due to EU rulings back in 2004. You can add the codecs back in using a feature pack. There's a similar restriction for Korea with Windows 10/11 KN.

On Windows 11 N: Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features. Select View features next to Add an optional feature, and then choose the Media Feature Pack.

Pete
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