Use iTunes to Convert WAV files to MP3

How to Convert WAV files to MP3 in iTunes

This process became effective in the desktop version of iTunes 12.4.0.119

After importing our WAV file into iTunes, we need to:

1. Go to File in the menu bar
2. Drop down to Create New Version
3. Click on Create MP3 Version

This is not a huge change, but I spent five minutes trying to find it. I hope this tip saved you some time.

How to adjust Import/Convert settings in iTunes

Remember, you can always adjust your settings in iTunes by going to:

1. PC: Click on Edit in the menu bar, then Properties (MAC: Click on iTunes in the menu bar, then Preferences)
2. In the General tab, click on “Import Settings“
3. Set the “Import using…” option to the format you want (MP3 Encoder)
4. Adjust the Setting to what you want

I convert my WAV files to a standard MP3, 128 kbps at 44.100 kHz Mono. This creates a smaller file at 64 kbps than the Stereo option – and it still sounds great for spoken word content (aka: Podcasts).

To get the best sound out of SPREAKER

If you host on Spreaker, you can create your MP3s in the following manner so Spreaker won't convert your file a second time:

1. Properties/Preferences > Import Settings > Custom (same as above)
2. Stereo Bit Rate: 128 kbps
3. Sample Rate: 44.100 kHz
4. Channels: Stereo
5. Stereo Mode: Normal
6. Pay attention to this last step:iTunes will warn you that the “settings are different from the recommended settings. Would you like to change to the recommended settings?” CLICK “DON'T CHANGE”

If you click “Change”, as I have a million times because I don't read the warning box correctly, then it will create a Stereo > Joint Stereo file.

This causes Spreaker to convert your MP3 one more time – which may degrade the audio (and we don't want that).

I hope this helped you. Please send it on to a friend!