Convert a WAV file to MP3
A WAV file contains uncompressed audio: very faithful, but large (about 10 MB per minute). Converting it to MP3 shrinks it to roughly a tenth of the size, with a barely audible loss at a good bitrate.
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How to use it
- Install ffmpeg if you haven't already.
- Open a terminal in the folder containing your file.
- Copy the generated command, adjust the file names if needed, then run it.
- Open the resulting file to check the result.
Which setting should you choose?
Variable mode (-q:a) gives a smaller file than a constant bitrate at equal quality. Setting 2 (about 190 kbps) is indistinguishable from the original on most equipment; 128 kbps is enough for voice; 320 kbps makes the file larger for a gain that is rarely audible.
Convert a whole library
To process all the wav files in a folder at once, the script generator prepares the loop suited to your system.
Convert all the files in a folder
Frequently asked questions
Why does a conversion lose quality?
MP3 is a lossy format: it removes information the ear barely perceives. At 190 kbps or higher, the difference from the WAV is inaudible for most people. Keep the original WAV if you plan to do more work on the audio.
Is the metadata (title, artist, cover art) preserved?
The title, artist and album are, thanks to "-map_metadata 0". Cover art is dropped by "-vn": to keep it, replace that option with "-map 0:a -map 0:v? -c:v copy" or add it afterward with a tag editor.
Why won't my WAV convert?
Some WAV files use an unusual format (32 or 64-bit float, or more than two channels). ffmpeg reads them without trouble in most cases; if the conversion fails, add "-ac 2" before the output file to get a stereo version.
How do I convert a whole folder of files?
Use the folder script generator, choosing wav as the input extension.