How to Easily Convert Audio Files with VLC Media Player?

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How to Convert Audio Files Using VLC?

1. Download and Install VLC

2. Add Audio File(s)

3. Choose an Audio Format

Configure Audio Settings

4. Choose a Location

5. Start Conversion

Tips for VLC Audio Conversion

FAQs

In the vast landscape of media players, VLC stands tall as a versatile and user-friendly tool that goes beyond just playing media files. To your surprise, it also works as an audio converter, allowing you to convert audio files like MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, AAC, OGG, and more.

Whether you need to convert a music file, change the sampling rate of an audio clip, turn a video to an audio-only file, or extract tracks from a CD/DVD, VLC has you all covered. Now, let's unlock the skill step by step.

How to Convert Audio Files Using VLC?

Step 1: Download and Install VLC

Ensure you have VLC installed, if not, download it from the official VLC site and install it on your computer. VLC is completely free and works on multiple platforms.

Keep it up-to-date with all new bug fixes, codecs, and features included.

Step 2: Add Your Audio File(s)

Fire up VLC, and follow these steps:

Navigate to the "Media" menu at the top left corner.
Select "Convert / Save" or simply press the hotkeys "Ctrl + R".
Click the "+ Add" button to import the audio file(s) you wish to convert.
Click the "Convert / Save" button to proceed.

VLC supports a wide array of input formats, ensuring compatibility with virtually any audio file. And you're allowed to add multiple audio files for batch conversion.

Step 3: Choose an Output Audio Format

Once your audio files are loaded, you need to choose the format to convert to:

In the "Convert" window, click on the "Profile" drop-down menu.
Select a desired output audio format from the list (OGG, MP3, FLAC, or CD).

Incidentally, you can also add your video files and convert them to MP3 if required.

Optional: Configure Audio Settings

VLC even allows you to fine-tune your audio settings for a personalized touch:

Click the "Edit Selected Profile" button next to the "Profile" drop-down menu.
Head over to "Audio codec" tab.
Modify the audio bitrate, codec, sample rate, and channels according to your preferences.
Click "Save" button to save the changes.

Step 4: Select a Destination Folder

Specify an output folder for your converted audio file by clicking "Browse" in the "Destination" section. Choose a location that's easily accessible.

Note. You can't change the destination if you've added multiple audio files in Step 2. The converted files will be saved in the same location of your source files.

Step 5: Start Conversion

Finally, hit the "Start" button to kick off the conversion process. VLC will swiftly transform your audio file, displaying a progress bar to keep you informed. The conversion speed will depend on the size and number of files.

Tips for Converting Audio with VLC

Follow these tips when converting audio files in VLC for best results:

When converting lossy formats like MP3, use the same quality setting to prevent further quality loss.
For uncompressed audio like WAV, you can convert to a lossy format like 320kbps MP3 to save space.
For extracted audio from video, pick a higher quality audio codec like FLAC to avoid quality loss.
Use VLC's batch processing feature to convert multiple files at once.
Before converting an entire album, test with one song first.
Higher quality formats like WAV have much larger file sizes. Make sure to have enough disk space.
Converting from a lower to higher quality will not increase the quality. Garbage in, garbage out!

FAQs

Q1: Is VLC safe to use?

A: Yes, VLC is 100% safe. As open source software, any security issues would be quickly found and patched. Millions use VLC daily without issue.

Q2: Can VLC convert multiple music files at once?

A: Yes, you can. Just add all the files you want to convert in Step 2 of our guide.

Q3: Can VLC convert audio files without losing any quality?

A: Yes, if you convert between lossless formats like ALAC to FLAC or AIFF to WAV. Lossy formats like MP3 will always suffer some quality loss when converted.

Q4: Can VLC convert video files too?

A: Absolutely! VLC is a jack of all trades. It can convert both audio and video files.

Q5: Can I extract songs from a DVD using VLC?

A: Sure. VLC supports ripping audio from DVD and CD. Just go to "Disc" tab in Step 1 of our guide, and choose your disc device.

Final Words

As you can see, VLC media player proves to be more than just a player. Converting audio files with VLC is quick and easy, and you don’t even need to install other additional tools.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use VLC for audio conversion, the better you'll get at it. And who knows? You might even explore the other hidden features this nifty little tool has to offer.