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Topic: Converting WAV files to MP3 (Read 5382 times) previous topic - next topic
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Converting WAV files to MP3

I used EAC and Lame to create MP3 files to put into Itunes.  I also saved the WAV files EAC created to an external hard drive.  I would like to convert these WAV files to high quality MP3 files, because I didn't realize how much space WAV files take, and I'm running out of space on my hard drive.  Can someone tell me how to do that, I don't think I can use EAC again because I think EAC only works with the original CDs.  Thanks

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #1 –
Have you considered converting your wave files to a lossless format like flac or TAK?  Depending on you music you'll likely see a 30% - 40% savings in space, perhaps even more.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #2 –
As graynol states, you can save space converting your wav to flac or other loosless format. For Flac you can use the flac front end, you can also use foobar. The only drawback is the tag information. Once converted to flac and knowing the album and artist you can use mp3tag to add information to yor flac files. Another app you can use for either convert your wavs to mp3 or flac is foobar. Again the main problem could be your tag info.

Cheers

Antropoid

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #3 –
You can use foobar2000 to convert to a large variety of lossless formats; not just flac.

TAK comes with a graphical front-end too, BTW, as does Monkey's Audio and who knows what else.

I don't particularly care for Speek's front-ends, but he has created quite a few in addition to flac front end:
http://members.home.nl/w.speek/

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #4 –
I like RazorLame for easily converting wav to mp3. You just need to point it at your LAME installation. I don’t know if it can create tags for the mp3’s however, never having looked into that aspect. I’ve found the file name (song title) to be sufficient for my needs.
http://www.dors.de/razorlame/dev.php

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #6 –
Quote from: dlstafford on
I don't think I can use EAC again

Actually EAC can do it. Menu : Tools -> Compress WAVs.
Also, I can recommend LameDropXPd.

Though as suggested perhaps you should consider converting them to a lossless format, so you will have a backup of the CDs and you'll never have to rip them again. If you think you'll continue to favor the Apple / iTunes ecosystem for the foreseeable future, then maybe using iTunes to convert them to Apple Lossless would be a good idea.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #7 –
I hadn't thought about going with a lossless format. I wanted to convert them to something that would play on all cdplayers, give me back space on my hard drive, and have high sound quality.  I am fairly new to all this so I'm not sure what the advantages and disadvantages of various formats are, and the same goes for the software to convert the files.  I could really use a step by step in plain english on getting the software loaded and running, and doing the conversion.  Once I decide what format and program I'm going to use.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #8 –
I see RazorLame as very easy to use. One can simply type the desired LAME preset into the command box, check the ‘don’t us any other options’ box, and select the destination folder.

MP3 is very widely supported, but mp3s disks will not play on many standard audio CD players. One can easily write standard audio CD-Rs from mp3 source files, however.

I would say the real question is whether or not mp3 source is good enough for your taste. It will certainly give you far more space saving than any lossless format. Most people can’t tell the difference between a quality mp3 and the CD original, but a small percentage of people can.

Once you decide what format and program you are going to use, you can ask for any needed instructions.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #9 –
My recommendations:

1. maintain a lossless library. Rip once to lossless, ensure you're tags are what you want them to be in these files, and then you're set for either using these files or converting to whatever flavor of lossless you want (now or in the future).  I use FLAC for my lossless files. I use mp3 for my lossy files. I find both these formats to be the most universal for the players I use (squeezeboxes at home, ipod/iphone portable, foobar2000 on the computer).

2. I use, dbpoweramp for secure ripping, converting from lossless to lossy, etc. Most folks on this forum will recommend either EAC or dbpoweramp.

3. mp3tag is an excellent tagging program (and does much more than just mp3 files).

Bottom line is that disk space is now much cheaper (for most people) than the time involved in reripping your CDs. Believe me, I'm in the midst of reripping thousands of CDs to lossless because I didn't understand digital music when I ripped my collection a number of years ago.  I suggest you read and learn at these forums and elsewhere to get a really good handle on a plan for converting to digital so you only have to do things once.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #10 –
Quote
I am fairly new to all this so I'm not sure what the advantages and disadvantages of various formats are, and the same goes for the software to convert the files. I could really use a step by step in plain english on getting the software loaded and running, and doing the conversion. Once I decide what format and program I'm going to use.

Have you had a look at the information and guides on the Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase?

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #11 –
I think you must define your priorities. If you want to keep a wav copy of your files I assume you want to have a loosless copy of them as archival copies. Having said that, as Mr. Graynol states, doing archival copies in wav format is a waste of hardrive space having a variety of loosless formats that fulfill the objective of having archival copies. You can have them from the start using EAC and the appropriate settings for the codec of your choice. You can find the the proper info at http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?ti...pression_guides. Another advantage of doing the loosless conversion from the start is that you will have all the tag information.
Now for your wav existing library, Mr Graynol is right,  I think Foobar is the way to go since all you have to do is choose the file/s you want to convert and choose the format you want them. One nice thing of Foobar is that already have all the work already done for you, it has a lot of presets and you do not have to deal with adding extra settings.

Once you have the loosless library you can use foobar to convert your files to mp3 (assuming you will be adding new files in the future), if you want to have a copy of you files to use in your portable player or your car stereo.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #12 –
Quote from: AndyH-ha on
I see RazorLame as very easy to use. One can simply type the desired LAME preset into the command box, check the ‘don’t us any other options’ box, and select the destination folder.

Sure, it's easy to use for a savvy person such as yourself, who knows to use command line presets on the Expert tab. But greynol is right. Overall the interface can be 'dangerous' to the lesser experienced, so perhaps it'd be good practice to always advise such prudent settings when recommending it.

Converting WAV files to MP3

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dlstafford on
I hadn't thought about going with a lossless format. I wanted to convert them to something that would play on all cdplayers, give me back space on my hard drive, and have high sound quality.  I am fairly new to all this so I'm not sure what the advantages and disadvantages of various formats are, and the same goes for the software to convert the files.  I could really use a step by step in plain english on getting the software loaded and running, and doing the conversion.  Once I decide what format and program I'm going to use.


Consider using a lossless format. I have re-encoded a few times, with improvements in various Lame encoders and also to AAC for my Ipod.

Storage space is cheap and it is not always convenient to re-rip the cd's.