MP3 is a file format for compressed audio files. Its compression method is considered to be “lossy” (d. h. there is a measurable loss of quality in the MP3 compression process). However, over the years the audio quality of MP3 has improved, and it is still one of the most important commercial audio formats.
WAV is a container format for audio that can be lossy, but usually requires larger file sizes than MP3.
File size limitations are often the reason WAV files are downconverted to smaller formats (usually MP3), e.g. for publishing and distribution on the Internet.
Converting the WAV format to MP3 is usually a simple process, but things like channel splitting, mixing quality, and various other factors can complicate matters. There are methods that are fast, and those that give you control over certain variables (like bitrate and channel mixing). Here are some of the easiest ways to convert WAV to MP3, including some free ones and one that can even master your audio automatically.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
DAW is a general term that refers to an audio processing system in hardware, software or mixed form. DAW software can usually do much more than just convert audio files, but this is an almost universal function. DAWs usually also have extensive export parameters and advanced transcoding settings.
There are many of these software applications on the market with different MP3 rendering options. Still, the general ability to import WAV and export MP3 is typical of all (you can even do this in most digital video editing programs). There are some free DAW applications (like Audacity, an open source program) that can not only convert WAV to MP3, but also provide other valuable features like normalization, mixing down, etc. offer.
Standalone transcoder
Assuming you want to avoid the extra bells and whistles of DAW software, or are looking for even more advanced encoding options (e.g. a specific codec) than they offer your traditional DAW. In this case, there are stand-alone transcoding applications for virtually all operating systems. These range from very simple to very complex, from free to expensive.
Although transcoders can often be synchronized with independent media editing programs, they run on their own to efficiently render large amounts of data, and provide maximum control over encoding parameters (codecs, transfer rates, etc.). They usually offer optimized batch encoding that can be used for multiple files (e.g. B. whole albums or EPs) is useful. Although the leading brands (e.g. Adobe and Apple) tend to sell audio/video converters together as a single solution, there are also some dedicated audio transcoders on the market.
Online converter
The third and final way to convert a WAV file to MP3 is to do it online. There are many different websites for this method, some better than others, and new ones seem to pop up every day. Be careful with this method, however, because “free” Services like this often use advertising technologies that can be intrusive or even harmful (remember, if it’s free, you’re the product).
One of the safest ways to convert WAV to MP3 for free online is to sign up with eMastered and try out the AI Mastering Tool. This tool can not only convert your WAV audio file to a high-quality MP3 format, but also master it according to your (or the default) settings and optimize the sound for your specific needs and preferences.