This wikiHow teaches you how to convert an MP3 audio file to a WAV audio file. This is especially useful if you want to extract audio files that are in a video or radio program without sacrificing quality. You can convert MP3 files to WAV on a Windows or Mac computer using iTunes or Audacity software. Both of these programs can be obtained for free.
Step
Method 1 of 2: iTunes
Step 1. Launch iTunes
This app has a white icon with colorful musical notes in the middle. The iTunes window will open.
Step 2. Click the Edit tab
It's in the upper-left side of the iTunes window.
If you are using a Mac, click the menu iTunes which is in the upper left corner.
Step 3. Click Preferences
You will find it in the drop-down menu iTunes or Edit. After clicking on it, a new window will appear.
Step 4. Click General
This tab is in the upper-left side of the window Preferences.
Step 5. Click Import Settings…
It's on the right side of the tab General. A new window will open.
Step 6. Click the "Import Using" drop-down box
It's at the top of the page. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 7. Click the WAV Encoder option
This option is in the drop-down window. You can use it to convert a song already in your iTunes library into a WAV file.
Step 8. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the Import Settings window. Clicking on it will save your changes in this menu and the window will close.
Step 9. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the Preferences window. Your file type changes will be saved.
Step 10. Click Songs
It's located under the " Library " heading in the upper-left side of the iTunes window. Your iTunes songs will be displayed.
Step 11. Select the song you want to convert
Select a song by clicking on it. You can also press Ctrl (for Windows) or Command (for Mac) and click each song you want to select them individually.
If you want to select a block of songs, click the song at the top of the list, then press and hold Shift and click the song at the bottom. All songs in the list will be selected
Step 12. Click File
You'll find it in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window (for Windows) or in the upper-left side of the Mac screen (for Mac computers). This will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 13. Click Convert
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A menu containing several file conversion options will appear.
Step 14. Click Create WAV Version
It's in the menu that appears. Once you click on it, iTunes will make copies of the songs you've selected in WAV format.
When the WAV copy is complete, you can delete the original song from your iTunes library
Method 2 of 2: Audacity
Step 1. Run Audacity
Double-click the Audacity icon which is a blue headphone with an orange sound wave in the middle. Audacity will open with an empty window.
If you don't have Audacity, first download and install this program on your Windows or Mac computer:
Step 2. Click File
It's in the upper-left corner of the Audacity window (for Windows) or in the upper-left corner of the Mac screen (for Mac computers). Then, a drop-down menu will appear.
If you're using a Mac, you may need to click the menu Audacity which is in the upper left corner.
Step 3. Click Open
This button is located in the drop-down menu. A window where you can select a song will open.
Step 4. Select the desired song
Click the song you want to convert from MP3 to WAV.
You may first need to select the music folder on the left side of the window, or double-click the folder containing the songs in the main window
Step 5. Click Open
The music file you selected will be imported into Audacity. This process may take a few minutes.
Once the music file is opened, a blue sound wave will appear in the center of the Audacity window
Step 6. Click File again, then select Export Audio.
It's in the drop-down menu File. A window will appear.
Step 7. Select a folder to save the conversion result
Click the folder on the left side of the window to specify the location where the converted MP3 file will be saved.
For example, if you click Desktop, the file you convert will be saved on the computer desktop.
Step 8. Click the "Save as type" drop-down box
This box is at the bottom of the window. A drop-down menu will also be displayed.
On Mac computers, the drop-down box is next to " File Type"
Step 9. Select the desired WAV option
Click WAV 16-bit or 32-bit WAV in the drop-down menu.
Step 10. Click Save
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 11. Click OK when prompted
The music file in WAV format will be saved to the folder you have specified.
Tips
- If you don't want to download iTunes or Audacity, you can use various online audio file converters to convert MP3 to WAV songs. Search for an online audio converter by entering the keyword "free online mp3 to wav" into a search engine.
- Although WAV files are usually Windows-related, they play well on audio and video players on almost any software platform.
