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I previously burned alot of cds with Windows Media player and it saves them as wma files. Now I am trying to access those music files with another program but it doesn't support wma, is there a way to convert all of those music files to mp3's without re-burning everything?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by MidiMagic

Dani AI

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Short answer: yes — but pick the approach based on two things: whether the WMA files are DRM‑protected, and whether you care about sound quality. As already pointed out, the highest‑quality option is to re‑rip your original CDs (set the rip format to MP3 or rip to a lossless archive like FLAC). Transcoding lossy→lossy (WMA → MP3) will always lose some fidelity, so only transcode if re‑ripping is impossible.

If you must convert existing (non‑DRM) WMA files in bulk, use a converter that preserves tags and gives you bitrate control. The ffmpeg command line is reliable and scriptable; a simple example that keeps metadata and writes ID3v2.3 tags:

ffmpeg -i "input.wma" -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k -map_metadata 0 -id3v2_version 3 "output.mp3"

Batch examples:

  • Windows CMD (run in the folder with the .wma files):

    for %f in (*.wma) do ffmpeg -i "%f" -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k -map_metadata 0 -id3v2_version 3 "%~nf.mp3"

    (Use %%f if you put this line inside a .bat file.)

  • Bash:

    for f in *.wma; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k -map_metadata 0 -id3v2_version 3 "${f%.wma}.mp3"; done

Practical notes and cautions: check whether files are DRM‑protected (purchased store tracks from the mid‑2000s often are); protected WMA cannot be legally converted without authorization. Test a few files first to verify tag transfer and listening quality. If you want long‑term flexibility, keep a lossless copy (FLAC/ALAC) so you can create MP3/AAC versions later without re‑ripping. Many of the programs mentioned in the thread (for example ’s Winamp route or ’s WinFF suggestion) will work, but ffmpeg or a dedicated ripper/archiver gives more predictable results for batch work. Always back up originals before mass conversion.

Recommended Answers

All 17 Replies

Member Avatar for Advice

:p

Thanks! Ill try that out and see how it works!

Member Avatar for linux

Go to download.com and search for the program Switch. It converts from m4a to mp3 and wav so thats why I like it. I can burn my songs in my iTunes in other programs.

Member Avatar for Pigone

Hello,
I would like to recommend you use DRM WMA MP3 Converter. Which can help you convert protected wma to MP3 or other music files

You may learn more about how to convert wma to mp3 here
;)

Member Avatar for John A

You're better off re-ripping your CDs to MP3s. Transcoding between lossy formats (MP3, WMA, etc.) is one of the worst possible ways to degrade your music's quality. If you need flexibility between formats, keep a backup rip of your music using a lossless format (such as FLAC, ALAC, APE, WavPac), which you can use later to transcode to your preferred format.

Member Avatar for The Dude

I reckon the easiest thing to is goto where you can convert to ANY FORMAT YOU WANT.. (Of the ones listed)

Welcome to the site Pigone!

Member Avatar for John A

I reckon the easiest thing to is goto where you can convert to ANY FORMAT YOU WANT.. (Of the ones listed)

Welcome to the site Pigone!

Transcoding between lossy music formats is one of the worst possible ways to degrade the quality of your music (well, actually, it's pretty harmful to video too...). If you have any desire to maintain quality, always convert from the original source whenever possible, unless of course you're dealing with lossless formats.

Member Avatar for The Dude

Yes well thats true John,didnt think of that.

Member Avatar for jbennet

WinFF

Member Avatar for Scorpio123

Daniusoft MP3 WAV Converter:

it's free and easy to handle

Member Avatar for formy

You can try Tunebite, too, it converts over 60 formats with high speed and good quality. Very useful and easy to use. :D

Member Avatar for jbennet

Hmm, someone just reported this saying it doesnt work....

My advice is to use WinFF, i use that for converting WMA to MP3.

Member Avatar for anitaquade

Total converter is the best option of convert any music file into any format. Rather than you can convert any video file too.

Member Avatar for hopperdarrelly

I use a software called iDealshare VideoGo which can easily convert WMA to all most all popular audio formats like convert WMA to MP3, AAC, AIFF or convert lossless WMA to Apple Lossless ALAC M4A.

It also helps to convert WMA to other audio format like convert WMA to FLAC, OGG, WAV, AU, RA, MP2, DTS, AC3 and etc on Mac OS X (Mavericks included).

Member Avatar for Janeluck

I just find a powerful WMA Converter which has both Mac and Windows version

It can easily convert WMA to MP3,AAC,AIFF,Apple Lossless ALAC M4A etc.

It even helps to convert WMA to WAV, RA, AU, DTS, FLAC, OGG, and etc

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

I would get rid of the program that requires mp3.

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