Question for the Tech experts

I have a friend who sent me a file for a project I'm working on. The file format he sent it to me is M4a. I wasn't able to insert the M4a into my project so I tried to convert the file to Wav. But it doesn't line up/sync with the items in my project. Is there a way to make the file compatible? Thanks,

you should be able to load / play an M4a file in Reaper if you have VLC installed.

I am unfamiliar with vlc. Can you give me more information and how I would use it? Thanks,

I understand I can play the file with VLC. Can I insert that file into my project and will it line up with my other tracks in Reaper? Thanks again,

They aren't telling you to play it in VLC. They are telling you that with VLC installed correctly for Reaper to use it the M4a will load directly into Reaper. No way to know if it will align with your tracks because how can we know the guy recording it has done so starting at the same bar your project starts.

Thanks. Do you know if there are instructions somewhere detailing how to install VLC correctly into Reaper? Thanks again,

you don't install it "into" Reaper. Just install the relevant version of VLC (32 bit if you use 32 bit Reaper or 64 bit if you use 64). Once it's installed Reaper should automatically see the stuff it needs from VLC

Sorry if my post was misleading....as said choosing the same 32 or 64 bit as your reaper version is the only thing you need to check.