Arts >> Music >> Digital Music

How to Compress WMA Files

You can compress WMA files by converting them to an audio format such as MP3. By converting your WMA files to MP3, you can set the audio quality of the MP3 and determine how much you'd like to compress the WMA files. To complete this process, a free audio conversion program such as Windows Media Player, Switch or dBpoweramp can be used.

Things You'll Need

  • Windows Media Player
  • Switch
  • dBpoweramp
Show More

Instructions

  1. Usings Windows Media Player

    • 1

      Open Windows Media Player and click "Burn."

    • 2

      Drag the WMA files you would like to compress into the "Burn List." Since there is no "convert to" command in Windows Media Player, the WMA files must first be burned to a CD so that they can be ripped into another audio format.

    • 3

      Insert a blank CD-R into your computer. Then click "Start Burn." When the WMA files have been burned to the CD-R, click "Rip."

    • 4

      Click the arrow below the "Rip" button, select "Format" and choose "MP3." Then click the arrow below the "Rip" button, select "Bit Rate" and set the MP3 audio quality by selecting your desired bit rate. The lower the bit rate, the more compressed the MP3 will be.

    • 5

      Click "Start Rip" and the WMA files will be ripped from the CD, compressed and converted into the MP3 audio format.

    Using Switch

    • 6

      Open Switch, click "Add Files" and select the WMA files that you would like to compress.

    • 7

      Select "MP3" as the "Output Format" and then click "Encoder Options." From the "Encoder Options" menu, set the MP3 audio quality by selecting your desired bit rate. The lower the bit rate, the more compressed the MP3 will be. Click "OK" to confirm the changes.

    • 8

      Click "Browse" and select the output folder you want the compressed files to be saved in.

    • 9

      Click "Convert" and the WMA files will be compressed and converted into the MP3 format.

    Using dBpoweramp

    • 10

      Open dBpoweramp, click "Browse" and select the WMA files that you would like to compress.

    • 11

      Choose "MP3" as the "Converting To" format.

    • 12

      Slide the "estimated bit rate" slider to set the MP3 audio quality. The lower the bit rate, the more compressed the MP3 will be.

    • 13

      Click "Folder" next to "Output Location" and select the output location you want the compressed files to be saved in.

    • 14

      Click "Convert" and the WMA files will be compressed and converted into the MP3 format.

Digital Music

Related Categories