When you need a WAV, not an MP3
Plenty of gear and software still prefers WAV. Older CDJs and samplers, some radio playout systems, CD burning software and video editors all work best with uncompressed audio. Converting an MP3 to WAV gives you a file that loads anywhere and doesn't need decoding on the fly.
Be clear about one thing: the WAV won't sound better than the MP3. The detail an MP3 encoder removed is gone for good, and WAVR copies what's left into an uncompressed file. If you have the original WAV or FLAC, start from that instead.
How to convert MP3 to WAV
- Add your MP3 filesDrag MP3s or a folder onto WAVR, or click Browse files.
- Choose the bit depthWAV is selected at 16-bit. Pick 24 or 32f for editing work.
- Convert and downloadClick Convert all, then download each WAV or use Download all.
Recommended settings
- CDJs, CD burning, general playback: 16-bit, sample rate Keep (or 44.1 for CDs).
- Editing or mastering in a DAW: 24-bit or 32-bit float, so later gain changes don't add noise.
- Video projects: set the sample rate to 48 kHz to match most video timelines.
MP3 to WAV questions
Does converting MP3 to WAV improve the quality?
No. The WAV will sound exactly like the MP3, because detail removed when the MP3 was made can't be restored. What you gain is a format every editor, sampler and CDJ reads without decoding.
Which bit depth should I choose?
16-bit is right for playback, CDJs and burning CDs. Choose 24-bit or 32-bit float if you'll process the file further in a DAW, since that leaves more headroom for edits.
Why is the WAV so much bigger?
WAV stores audio uncompressed, about 10 MB per minute for 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo. A 320 kbps MP3 of the same track is about 2.4 MB per minute.
Do my MP3 tags carry over?
WAVR shows the artist, title, album and BPM it reads from your MP3, but the WAV files it writes don't include tags, which many WAV players ignore anyway.