iTunes: Converting a .wav File to a .mp3
CD players will play .cda files and (if they are new enough) .mp3 files. An .mp3 is the Osceola School District’s
recommended file type for storing audio files. An .mp3 is a smaller file size and much more universal than other file types.
iTunes can convert may file types into .mp3’s, one of which is .wav files. If you want iTunes installed on your computer,
submit a help desk issue with the name of the computer the request for iTunes installation.
1. Open iTunes which can be found under Start > programs > resource
2. Navigate to the file menu and select add file to the library. Note if you have an entire folder you
can select add folder to library.
Navigate to the file menu and
select add file to the library.
3. Navigate to the file you want to convert and click the open button.
Navigate to the .wav
file and select open.
4. The imported .wav file will appear in the music menu. If your view is different you can change
by going to the View menu and selecting as List.
Imported .wav file is in
the music menu.
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5. Right click the file and select create mp3 version.
Right click the file and
select create mp3 version.
6. The file will appear twice in the iTunes music menu.
After conversion, one .mp3
file and one .wav file.
7. If you need to see which file is while extension/type, navigate to the view menu and select
view options. Then check the box to display ‘Kind.’
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8. The file types/extension will appear in the ‘Kind’ column.
Turning on the ‘Kind’ view
will show the file types.
9. You can then use the .mp3 as needed.
Notes:
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iTunes does not edit sound files, it only plays and converts them. The Osceola School District utilizes the Audacity
software to edit and combine sound files. If you want Audacity installed on your computer, submit a help desk
issue with the name of the computer the request for installation.
All audio files are located under C:\iTunes. If you need to locate a music file you can do so there.
When iTunes is open, you can right click the files and copy them in order to paste them where desired.
As an .mp3 you can play an audio file on an iPod, a computer, a newer CD player, and any .mp3 player.
The file in the example above was 162KB as a .wav and converted to 48KB as an .mp3. Mp3 is the recommended
file format for working with any audio file but especially when space is essential, such as posting on the web or in
a network folder.
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