What you should know
WAV to MP3 is the conversion from archiving to delivery. WAV keeps everything but is heavy; MP3 shrinks the file to about a tenth by removing the least audible information.
It is often the final step of an audio workflow: record and edit in WAV, then export to MP3 for listening or sharing.
Strengths
- About 90% size reduction at CD quality
- Universal playback on every device
- Bitrate adjustable to the use
- ID3 metadata to organise a library
Limitations to know
- Lossy compression: the operation is final
- At low bitrate, loss of sharpness in the highs
- Not ideal for further recording or remixing
- No gain converting a WAV that already came from an MP3
When to use it
Convert to MP3 at the end, to listen, send or publish. Keep the WAV for any editing step: each additional treatment of an MP3 adds degradation.
Quality, size and compatibility
192 kbps suits most listening, 320 kbps for demanding systems. This is the only moment where quality is chosen: do it once, properly, from the WAV.
Frequently asked questions
- Which bitrate to convert WAV to MP3?
- 192 kbps is a good universal compromise; 320 kbps if you want the best possible MP3 quality; 128 kbps is enough for speech.
- Can MP3 be converted back to WAV losslessly?
- No. The rebuilt WAV will contain exactly the same sound as the MP3, without the removed information. It will simply be larger.