How to Convert MP4 to WAV for Audio Editing

Choose settings for the editing project

Check whether the MP4 contains an audio stream, then ask the editor which sample rate, channel layout and bit depth the project needs. The WAV container can carry different audio encodings; choose PCM when the project expects ordinary uncompressed audio.

Export a WAV in Shutter Encoder

This desktop method processes an unprotected MP4 locally in a third-party application.

1. Open Shutter Encoder and add your MP4. Use the file-information view to identify the audio track and its sample rate.
2. Select WAV from the sound-conversion functions. Choose PCM settings suited to your editor.
3. Inspect Audio Settings. Preserve the source sample rate unless a project requirement calls for conversion, and review mapping or separate-track settings when several audio tracks exist.
4. Choose a new folder in Output 1 and start the function. Keep source deletion disabled.
5. Import the saved WAV into the actual editing project. Confirm its reported rate, channels and duration, and listen to both ends.

For an occasional non-sensitive file, the linked FreeConvert page documents an upload-and-download MP4-to-WAV route. It does not substitute for checking the output encoding in your editor.

Specify PCM and track selection with FFmpeg

With FFmpeg installed, this example extracts the first audio stream as 16-bit PCM. It does not force a new sample rate or channel count.

ffmpeg -i "recording.mp4" -map 0:a:0 -vn -c:a pcm_s16le "recording.wav"

For a project that specifically requires 24-bit, 48 kHz stereo, use the command below. The explicit rate and channel count can resample and mix down the source; do not add them merely to make the numbers larger.

ffmpeg -i "recording.mp4" -map 0:a:0 -vn -c:a pcm_s24le -ar 48000 -ac 2 "recording-edit.wav"

Select 0:a:1 for the second audio track. FFprobe can confirm the result:

ffprobe -v error -show_entries stream=codec_name,sample_rate,channels,channel_layout -show_entries format=duration -of json "recording.wav"

Resolve editing and file-size problems

• No matching audio stream: the MP4 may be silent or use a different stream than expected. Inspect the source; do not invent an audio track.
• Wrong voice or language: select the intended audio stream rather than mixing every track.
• File becomes very large: this is normal for PCM. For a long export, split it or use RF64 only if the editor supports it; ordinary RIFF WAV has a size limit around 4 GB.
• Audio drifts after import: compare project rate, source duration, trim points and timeline placement. Do not randomly change sample rate as a fix.

If the goal is a small listening copy instead of an editing asset, compare MP3 extraction and its quality trade-offs.

Common questions