Convert WAV files to text.

Where WAV recordings come from

WAV is the standard uncompressed audio format on Windows and in professional audio. You will usually have a WAV file when you record with a field recorder such as those used for interviews and documentaries, export from an editor like Audacity, Adobe Audition or a DAW, record a podcast in a studio, or capture audio from a mixing desk at an event. Because nothing is thrown away by compression, WAV is the best source you can give a transcription engine.

WAV vs MP3 for transcription

For speech recognition, a clean WAV and a high-bitrate MP3 often produce similar text, because the details MP3 removes are mostly ones listeners cannot hear. The difference shows up in difficult recordings: quiet speakers, heavy background noise or very low bitrates. Since WAV files are larger, the practical rule is simple: if you have the WAV and a reasonable connection, upload the WAV. If you only have an MP3, use it as it is; converting MP3 back to WAV does not restore lost detail. See MP3 to text for compressed files.

Large WAV files

An hour of stereo WAV at 48 kHz is roughly 600 MB. Media2Text accepts files up to 6 GB, so long sessions fit. On slower connections, a mono export at 16 kHz or 22 kHz keeps speech intelligible while reducing upload size significantly. Trimming long silences at the beginning and end also saves minutes, because transcription is counted by recording length.

Getting the best transcript from a WAV

Choose the right channel

Field recorders often save one channel from a lapel microphone and another from an on-camera or room microphone. If one channel is much clearer, export it as mono before uploading.

Avoid aggressive processing

Heavy noise reduction can make voices sound metallic and harder to recognise. Light processing is fine; when in doubt, upload the unprocessed recording.

Check names and terms

Use find and replace for names and technical terms that repeat, and click timestamps to verify quotes before you publish them.

Exports and next steps

Export TXT, Markdown, DOCX, PDF, CSV, TSV, JSON, SRT or VTT from the same reviewed transcript. Subtitles from a WAV master are often cleaner than subtitles made from a compressed video export; the audio to SRT page explains how to keep timing in sync with your edit. With an account you can also create an AI summary or mind map, and anyone can create a translated transcript track.

Reviewing the transcript before you use it

Automatic transcription gives you a fast, timed draft. Before you publish, quote or share it, spend a few minutes on the parts that matter most. Rename the speaker labels so every export shows real names. Use find and replace for names, brands and technical terms that appear more than once. Then click the timestamps for the passages you will actually quote and listen to them: overlapping voices, background music and fast speech are where errors cluster. The editor keeps the text and the audio together, so checking a line takes seconds instead of scrubbing through the whole recording.

Trial and plans

The free trial includes up to 2 lifetime transcription tasks sharing 75 minutes in total, with no credit card. Paid plans have unlimited uploads and accept files up to 5 hours 15 minutes long.