WMA stands for Windows Media Audio, an audio codec and format developed by Microsoft in 1999. It supports different audio types, from low-bandwidth voice recordings to lossless multi-channel audio.
WMA was created to compete with MP3 and RealAudio while avoiding MP3 licensing issues. It became widely used for online music streaming and digital audio playback. Here are the top 4 WMA file converters:
- MiniTool Video Converter
- Windows Media Player
- VLC Media Player
- Convertio
How to Convert WMA to Other Formats
Find out how to convert WMA files to audio files like MP3 with MiniTool Video Converter, Windows Media Player, VLC Media Player, and Convertio.
Method 1: Use MiniTool Video Converter
Fast steps:
- Open MiniTool Video Converter.
- Add the WMA file
- Set the output format.
- Choose Convert.
- Check the result.
MiniTool Video Converter is a user-friendly tool for users to convert video and audio files quickly. It supports 1000+ popular output formats and includes no bundle/no ads.
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1. Get MiniTool Video Converter.
Download MiniTool Video Converter and install it properly. Then, launch the software.
2. Add the WMA file from your computer.
In the default Convert Video tab, click Add Files, select the WMA file, and click Open.
3. Set the output format.
Click the gear icon on the conversion task area. In the pop-up window, go to Audio, choose MP3 as the target format, and select the desired quality.
4. Choose Convert.
Click Convert and wait till the end of the conversion.
5. Check the result.
Shift to the Completed tab and click the folder icon to have a look.
Method 2: Use Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player’s built-in Rip Music feature is mainly designed for converting audio CDs to MP3. You can use it to convert WMA to MP3.
Fast steps:
- Play the WMA file.
- Switch to Library.
- Open Organize.
- Select Options.
- Go to Rip Music.
- Open Format.
- Choose MP3.
1. Open the WMA file.
Play the target WMA file in Windows Media Player by double-clicking on it.
2. Switch to Library mode.
Click on the Switch to Library button in the upper right corner.
3. Open the Organize menu.
Select Organize from the menu bar in the Windows Media Player library.
4. Select Options.
Choose Options… from the drop-down list of Organize.
5. Go to the Rip Music tab.
Shift to the Rip Music tab.
6. Open the Format drop-down list.
Click the arrow to open drop-down list of Format under Rip settings area.
7. Choose MP3 and confirm the settings.
Choose MP3 from the list and click on the OK button to confirm.
Method 3: Use VLC Media Player
Fast steps:
- Download and install VLC.
- Open Convert/Save.
- Add the WMA file.
- Choose MP3 as output format.
- Select the output location.
- Save as MP3.
- Start the conversion.
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source multimedia player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including WMA and MP3. Besides playing media files, VLC also provides a built-in Convert/Save feature that allows users to convert audio files between different formats.
Here is how to use it as a WMA converter:
1. Download and install VLC.
Download VLC from the official website and install it properly.
2. Open Convert/Save.
Launch the player and select Media from the menu bar. Choose Convert/Save from the submenu.
3. Add the WMA file.
Click on the Add button to choose the WMA file you want to convert. Go to the file location and click Open. Then, click Convert/Save to continue.
4. Choose MP3 as output format.
Choose MP3 from the drop-down list of Profile.
5. Select the output location.
Click on the Browse button to choose a location for saving the converted file.
6. Save as MP3.
Select MP3 from the drop-down list of Save as type and click Save.
7. Start the conversion.
Click on the Start button and wait for the file conversion to complete.
Method 4: Convertio
Fast steps:
- Go to the website.
- Set the import and output format.
- Import target file.
- Start conversion.
- Download the converted file.
Convertio is an online conversion tool that supports audio, video, images, and documents conversion. However, the free version has file size limits and daily conversion restrictions.
To convert WMA to other formats, like MP3, follow the steps below:
1. Go to the website.
Go to https://convertio.co/wma-mp3/.
2. Set the import and output format.
Choose WMA as the source format and MP3 as the destination format.
3. Import target file.
Choose Files from local Computer, Dropbox, Google Drive, or URL by clicking on the red button -> choosing file -> clicking Open. (You can also drag the WMA file and drop it directly on the page).
4. Start conversion.
Click on the red Convert button and wait patiently while the conversion is in progress.
5. Download the converted file.
Click on the blue Download button when the conversion is completed.
How to Open a WMA File
Since WMA is a Microsoft-developed audio format, it can be opened directly with Windows Media Player, which is included in most Windows versions. Simply locate the WMA file in File Explorer and double-click it to play.
If it doesn’t open, right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Windows Media Player. Here is how:
1. Right-click the WMA file you want to play.
2. Select Add to Windows Media Player list or choose Open with > Windows Media Player.
3. Choose Recommended settings for Windows Media Player.
4. Click on Finish in the lower right corner of the Windows Media Player window.
5. The WMA audio will start playing in seconds.
WMA vs MP3
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of WMA files.
Advantages of WMA audio when compared to MP3:
- WMA can maintain better sound quality at lower bitrates and works well with Windows devices.
- WMA supports DRM encryption to help protect digital music content.
- WMA provides efficient compression, saving storage space while maintaining good quality.
Disadvantages of WMA audio when compared to MP3:
- WMA has less support across platforms and devices due to its Microsoft-based technology. MP3 offers much wider compatibility.
- WMA may lose some audio quality during compression, making lossless formats like FLAC better for high-quality audio needs.
Which is Better, WMA or MP3?
You can never say a file format is better than another one under any circumstances. The fundamental reason why people choose one format over another is because of different actual needs.
1. When to choose WMA:
- According to the study, the WMA format appeals to many online users and is used by a lot of websites. The root reason is that it can be streamed easily.
- WMA is a better choice than MP3 for people who want to keep a good balance between quality and file size.
- The performance of WMA is better than that of MP3 at low bit rates. WMA produces the best sound quality as long as the bit rate is lower than 128k. However, the high-frequency part of MP3 will be lost in the same situation.
2. When to choose MP3:
- If you have a lot of different devices and systems, you'd better use MP3 instead of WMA as the audio format.
- The MP3 file format should also be chosen when you need to transfer audio to other people (your family members, friends, or colleagues).
- In order to get better sound effects at a high bit rate (for instance, at 192k bit rate), you should use MP3.
Verdict
Choosing the right WMA file converter depends on specific needs. MiniTool Video Converter and VLC provide convenient conversion options, while online tools like Convertio offer quick web-based conversion.
For any questions or issues with MiniTool Video Converter, contact support@minitool.com for assistance.
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