How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File

Are you constantly trying to get your Windows Media Player files to play on iTunes? Are you struggling to find a way to convert your files to MP3? Here are some helpful tips. Search for a free online file converter. Type in '.wav to MP3...
Method 1 of 3:

Free Online File Conversion

  1. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 1How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 1
    Search for a free online file converter. Type in ".wav to MP3 convert" into a search engine and find one that offers a free service.
  2. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 2How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 2
    Navigate to the section on the site where the conversion is offered. Sometimes, you have to navigate the site to find where the service is offered.
  3. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 3How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 3
    Import the .wav you want converted to MP3.
  4. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 4How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 4
    Choose the format you want to convert to, if necessary. Some sites will ask you to specify the format you want to convert to.
  5. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 5How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 5
    Decide where you want to send the file. Enter an email address that the converted file will sent to, if necessary. Sometimes, the file will be available for download on the site itself. Other times, you will need to enter an email address in order to retrieve it.
    1. If you are worried about getting spammed, use a sock-puppet email or create one for yourself. You can use this account to retrieve any files you need.
  6. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 6How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 6
    Find the "convert" button nearby. The file should be sent to your email address; some of the time, it will be zipped to accommodate larger files.
Method 2 of 3:

iTunes

  1. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 7How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 7
    Open iTunes.
  2. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 8How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 8
    Navigate to iTunes → Preferences → Import Settings.
    1. If using iTunes 7 or earlier, you'll need to go to the "Advanced" tab before being able to access "Import Settings."
    2. If using iTunes 8 or later, going to "Preferences" will automatically direct you to the page where you can find "Advanced."
  3. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 9How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 9
    Set "Import Using" to "MP3 Encoder."
  4. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 10How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 10
    Choose a setting preference. Next to "Setting," choose either 128 kbps, 160 kbps, or 192 kbps.
    1. If you want a custom setting, click on "Custom..." and select choices for Stereo Bit Rate, Sample Rate, and Channels. Under most circumstances, you want your channel set to "Stereo."
  5. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 11How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 11
    Click "OK" to close the Import Settings window.
  6. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 12How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 12
    Click "OK" to close the General Preferences window.
  7. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 13How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 13
    Select one or more .wav files already in your iTunes.
  8. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 14How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 14
    Create an MP3 version of the file. Depending on your version of iTunes, do this either by:
    1. With the file(s) selected, navigate to the "Advanced" tab and choose Create MP3 Version.
    2. Simply right-click the file and click "Create MP3 Version."
Method 3 of 3:

Audacity

  1. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 15How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 15
    Download the appropriate LAME MP3 encoder[1].
  2. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 16How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 16
    Unzip the archived LAME folder and remember its location.
  3. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 17How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 17
    Download and open the free cross-platform Audacity[2].
  4. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 18How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 18
    Select the File and choose the Open option.
  5. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 19How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 19
    Locate the desired WAV file on your computer's hard drive. A sound map of the file will appear in Audacity's main display.
  6. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 20How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 20
    Select the File tab and choose the Export as MP3 option.
  7. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 21How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 21
    Respond to the prompt by finding the MP3 encoder where you just chose to unzip it. The file will be called lame_enc.dll for Windows and libmp3lame.so for Macintosh. You will only be asked to do this the first time you use the Export as MP3 option.
  8. How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 22How to Convert a WAV File to a MP3 File Picture 22
    Select the location you would like your converted MP3 file to appear in and rename the file if necessary. If you are converting a .wav file to .mp3 specifically to be able to play the file in iTunes then the iTunes music folder is an ideal location for the converted file.
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