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Luocna's avatar
Luocna
Iron Contributor
Jun 19, 2025

Is there any free program to convert mp4 to wav?

Hi,

I'm relatively new to audio editing and file conversion, and I’m currently working on a project that requires me to extract high-quality audio from an MP4 video file. Specifically, I need the audio in WAV format because of its uncompressed quality, which is important for the next steps in my workflow.

I did some searching online, but there are so many mp4 to wav converter tools and methods available, and  not sure which one is the most reliable and easiest for a beginner like me to use.  Could anyone recommend a straightforward way to convert an MP4 file to WAV?

6 Replies

  • Gankskl's avatar
    Gankskl
    Iron Contributor

    Shutter Encoder, a versatile, free, and open-source multimedia conversion tool designed for video, audio, and image processing. Built on the powerful free framework, it offers a user-friendly interface with advanced features, including format conversion, compression, editing, and encoding for various codecs (H.264, H.265, ProRes, DNxHD, etc.)

    It supports a wide range of input and output formats (MP4, MOV, WAV, MP3, JPEG, PNG, and more) and provides specialized functions like trimming, rewrapping, bitrate adjustment, and hardware acceleration. 

    You can run this command for converting MP4 to WAV on any Windows PC or Mac:

    shutter -i input.mp4 -vn -acodec pcm_s16le -ar 44100 -ac 2 output.wav

    Explanation of Flags:

    -i input.mp4 → Input file

    -vn → Disable video (audio only)

    -acodec pcm_s16le → WAV encoding (16-bit PCM)

    -ar 44100 → Sample rate (44.1kHz, CD quality)

    -ac 2 → Stereo (2 channels)

    output.wav → Output file

    This free mp4 to wav converter is ideal for filmmakers, editors, and content creators, Shutter Encoder balances simplicity with professional-grade functionality, making it a reliable alternative to commercial software.

  • CameronFord's avatar
    CameronFord
    Iron Contributor

    To convert MP4 to WAV on a Windows computer, MediaHuman Audio Converter is a great MP4 to WAV converter, especially if you're looking for a free, easy-to-use program.

    1. Download and Install this mp4 to wav converter
    2. Open MediaHuman Audio Converter  
    3. Add Your MP4 File  
    - Drag and drop your MP4 video file directly into the converter window.
    - Alternatively, click the “+ Add” button and navigate to your MP4 file.
    4. Set Output Format to WAV  
    - In the main window, you'll see your added file(s).
    - At the bottom or in the output settings, select WAV as the output format.
    5. Choose Destination Folder  
    - Specify where you want the converted WAV files to be saved by clicking on the output folder option.
    6. Start Conversion  
    - Click the "Convert" button.
    - The program will process the file, and once finished, your WAV file will be saved in the chosen location.

    Add: MediaHuman Audio Converter automatically preserves the quality of the audio during conversion. It supports batch processing if you have multiple files.

  • Gaoken's avatar
    Gaoken
    Iron Contributor

    As for me, GStreamer is a good and free MP4 to WAV converter. It is an open-source multimedia framework that enables the construction of graphs of media-handling components. It's used for:

    • Audio and video playback
    • Recording
    • Streaming
    • Format conversion (like MP4 to WAV)
    • Filtering and effects processing

    GStreamer uses a pipeline-based architecture where you connect different elements (sources, filters, sinks, etc.) to process media data.

    Here's how to convert MP4 to WAV format using GStreamer:

    gst-launch-1.0 filesrc location=input.mp4, format=S16LE, rate=44100,channels=2,  location=output.wav

    Breakdown of the Pipeline:

    • filesrc location=input.mp4 - Reads the input MP4 file
    • ! decodebin - Automatically detects and decodes the content
    • ! audioconvert - Converts audio to a standard format
    • ! audioresample - Resamples audio if needed
    • ! audio/x-raw,format=S16LE,rate=44100,channels=2 - Sets output format to 16-bit signed PCM, 44.1kHz, stereo
    • ! wavenc - Encodes to WAV format
    • ! filesink location=output.wav - Writes the output to a file
  • Thiango's avatar
    Thiango
    Iron Contributor

    XMedia Recode is a free, Windows-only video & audio transcoder created by German developer Sebastian Dörfler. Powered by an up-to-date backend, it can import almost any media file and export to 500-plus formats such as MP4, MKV, MP3, FLAC, and WAV. The free mp4 to wav converter supports hardware-accelerated encoding, batch queues, and per-track copy/convert controls, all in a single-window interface that stays 100 % ad-free.

    1. Load your MP4

    Click Open File (or drag-and-drop) and make sure the clip appears in the job list.

    2. Choose an audio-only profile

    Go to the Format tab.

    Set Profile → Custom and Format → Wave / Wave (this automatically selects PCM inside a .wav container).

    3. Disable the video stream

    Switch to the Video tab and set Mode to Copy or Disable so only audio is processed—this keeps the encode fast and avoids creating a blank video track.

    4. Tweak audio parameters (optional)

    In the Audio tab you can pick sample rate (16–48 kHz), channel layout (Mono/Stereo), and bitrate mode; leave defaults for a bit-perfect PCM rip.

    5. Queue & encode

    Click Add to queue, verify the output folder at the bottom of the window, then press Encode. The progress bar will tick up and your .wav file appears in the chosen directory.

    Tip: XMedia Recode’s queue lets you batch convert mp4 to wav in one pass—ideal for podcast or lecture archives.

  • FinleyGrove's avatar
    FinleyGrove
    Iron Contributor

    Why is converting MP4 to WAV on Windows computer online a dangerous thing?

    • Malware and Viruses: Some online converters, especially less reputable ones, may host malicious scripts or software that can infect your computer when you visit the site or download files.
    • Data Privacy Concerns: Uploading your files to an online service might expose sensitive or private content. If the site doesn't have proper security measures, your data could be intercepted or stored without your consent.
    • Quality and Integrity Issues: Free or unreliable online converters may produce poor-quality audio files or corrupt the output, leading to data loss or unusable files.
    • Legal Risks: Certain online converters may operate illegally or violate copyright laws, risking legal consequences if you're converting protected content.
    • Lack of Control: Online tools often have limited options for customization, and you cannot verify how your data is handled or stored.

     

    Why not try those reliable offline tools to convert MP4 to WAV on Windows computer?

  • Porterwer's avatar
    Porterwer
    Iron Contributor

    Which one is the most reliable and easiest for a beginner? Using Converti0 to convert MP4 to WAV on a Windows computer is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:

    1. Open your web browser and go to Converti0 MP4 to WAV converter.
    2. Upload your MP4 file:
      * Click the "Choose Files" button.
      * Select the MP4 file from your computer.
      * Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file into the upload area.
    3. Select output format:
      * Ensure that WAV is selected as the output format. Converti0 usually detects this automatically once you choose MP4 as input.
    4. Start the conversion:
      * Click the "Convert" button.
      * Wait for the conversion process to complete. The time depends on your file size and internet speed.
    5. Download the WAV file:
      * Once the conversion is finished, click the "Download" button.
      * Save the converted WAV file to your desired location on your Windows PC.

     

    If you prefer a quick, no-installation method and your file isn't too large, Converti0 is a convenient choice! Let me know if you need further assistance.

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