How to Convert to MP3 Using a Command Line Program

The MP3 audio format is a lossy compressed audio format used by most digital audio devices. The lossy data compression reduces the size of the audio file. Three command line programs that will convert other audio formats to MP3 are Sox, Total Audio Converter and Lame. The Sox and Lame software can be installed on the Windows, Mac OSX and Linux operating systems, while the Total Audio Converter software can only be installed on the Windows operating system.

Things You'll Need

• Sox<br />Lame<br />Total Audio Converter

Instructions

Sox

1. Download and install the Sox software (see Resources). Open a command prompt window (Windows) or a terminal window (Linux or Mac OSX).

2. Type the command \"cd <directory>\" to navigate to the directory where your audio files are saved. Replace \"<directory>\" with the correct directory name.

3. Type the command \"sox <input>.wav <output>.mp3\" to convert a \".wav\" file to an \".mp3\" file. Replace \"<input>\" and \"<output>\" with the correct file name. The Sox software will convert most audio files, including wav, wma, ogg, ape, flac, aac and mp4.

4. Type the command \"exit\" to close the command prompt or terminal window.

Lame

1. Download and install the Lame software (see Resources). Open a command prompt window (Windows) or a terminal window (Linux or Mac OSX).

2. Type the command \"cd <directory>\" to navigate to the directory where your audio file is held. Replace \"<directory>\" with the correct directory name.

3. Type the command \"lame <input>.wav <output>.mp3\" to convert a \".wav\" file to an MP3 file. Replace \"<input>\" and \"<output>\" with the correct file name. Lame will only convert the wav file format to the MP3 format.

4. Type the command \"exit\" to close the terminal window or command prompt window.

Total Audio Converter

1. Download and install the Total Audio Converter software. Open a command prompt window which is found under the \"Accessories\" section of the \"Start\" menu.

2. Type the command \"AudioConverter.exe C:\\Music\\<input>.wma C:\\Music\\<output>.mp3 -cMP3\" to convert a \".wma\" file to an \".mp3\" file. Replace \"<input>\" and \"<output>\" with the correct file names. Total Audio Converter will convert wav, wma, ogg, ape, flac, aac, mp4 and most other audio files.

3. Type the command \"exit\" to close the command prompt window.

References

• Sox Manual
• Lame: Guide to command line options
• Cool Utils: Total Audio Converter Command Line

Resources

• Sox
• Lame
• Total Audio Converter