Effective WAV to MP3 Converter - How To
By hutmeil
If you are reading this hub, chances are you are finding a way to convert your wav files to mp3 files. If you search google or any search engine for that matter, you would find a lot of site listings offering audio converters that convert different types of audio format to other audio formats. However, one thing is common among them, they are not free. Yes, you can download and try them for free but only a portion of your file will be converted. If you are looking for a free converter you've come to the right hub.
VLC Media Player
Introducing the VLC Media Player. I have been using this player for all my media needs. I use it play my VCDs, DVDs and all my videos. It is free but powerful. I have also used it before to save my DVDs into a friendlier format, AVI format, so that I have a back-up copy of my DVDs.
When I was looking for a WAV to MP3 converter, I did not know that VLC had such a capability. So I spend to countless hours in the internet finding a free audio converter. Little did I know that I already had such a program in front of me.
Step by Step Instructions
So how do you convert WAV files to MP3 files using the VLC Media Player? Follow the instructions below to find out (this is assuming you have downloaded the player already...):
- Open VLC.
- On the Menu, choose File -> Open File.
- In the File tab, browse for your file and select it. Check the Stream/Save check box then click Settings.
- In the Outputs section, check the File check box, enter the target file name of your choosing and make sure it ends with .mp3 .
- Choose Raw in the Encapsulation method section.
- In the Transcoding option section, check the Audio codec check box, choose s16l from the dropdown menu then choose your preferred bitrate.
- Press Ok twice and start the conversion.
So that's it. If you don't understand any of the steps above, let me know via the comments section below and I will help you out.
Comments
I think your instructions are for an older VLC iteration or not for MAC machines.
With VLC I do the following:
File >> Converter >> Select File, Advance >> Output File Location, Profile (i.e. mp3), you can select Preference next to the perfile to select bit rate, etc. Then Accept and you're on your way to making an MP3 file! Hope this helps!!
Just downloaded the latest version of VLC. The UI seems to have changed. This is how I managed to do the same with the new menus:
1. Media - Convert/Save ("Media": In German it is called "Medien" so I'm assuming Media for English. Just take the left-most menu :-) - "Convert/Save": In German it is called "Konvertieren/Speichern" Ctrl-R is the shorthand).
2. On the "file" tab, click "Add..." ("Hinzufügen...") and select your wav file.
3. Click the little dropdown arrow on the "Convert/Save" ("Konvertieren/Speichern") button and choose "Convert" (Alt-C).
4. On the new form, the Source file is already set. For the target, browse/enter the filename of the MP3.
5. For the settings, choose the MP3 profile ("Audio - MP3") and click start.
Ben Symp 2 years ago
Bonjour ! :) Hutmeil,
ici Ben, from Montréal, Québec.
I apprciate your posting about WAV to MP3 conversion with VLC, including your comment about other solutions as not really free.
I'm trying to use your step-by-step instructions, using version 1.0.5 (in French).
Unfortunately, I can't match your instructions. Could it be that you wrote under a previous version of VLC? If so, can you re-write you recipe according to current menus?
If needed, we can reach me through "BenSympa@videotron.qc.ca".
Thanks.
Ben