How to Convert MP4 to WAV on Windows or Mac (6 Ways)

When you download videos or movies from websites, most of them are in MP4 format because it is compatible with almost all software&devices and convenient for streaming due to its small size. Since a large number of people want to extract audio from MP4 for multiple purposes, we will show 6 ways to convert MP4 to WAV (a lossless sound format) on Windows and Mac in this post, helping people enjoy high-quality audio for a better experience. If you have interests, read on to get a way that suits you most.

 Cisdem Video Converter

Best MP4 to WAV Converter for Windows and Mac

• Convert MP4 file to WAV, MP3, MKV and other 600+ audio and video formats
• Convert multiple video and audio files in a bulk
• Allow sophisticated users to customize the file parameters
• Offer a built-in video editor to modify the files through trimming, adjusting volume, etc.
• Directly merge multiple the converted WAV files into one large file
• Offer a super fast speed to make conversions without losing quality
• User-friendly to novices
• Also show prowess function in ripping DVD/Blu-ray and downloading videos from websites

Free Download Windows 10 or later    Free Download macOS 10.13 or later

Why Choose to Convert MP4 to WAV?

There are diverse popular audio formats. And MP3 tends to be the prior option for most people, which is famous for high compatibility and easy streaming. In fact, it compromises the quality for the size and even causes audio distortion sometimes. Therefore, if you have high demanding in the quality, WAV is undoubtedly the best choice, which is pretty approximate to the raw audio because it barely applies the compression method.

A Quick Scan to the Pros&Cons of Each Method

Way 1. Using the Best All-in-one Video Converter to Batch Convert MP4 to WAV

Based on my personal experience, it’s strongly recommended to use a professional MP4 to WAV converter, which is easy to use for people, works quickly and matches with advanced features and additional useful functions.

It is vital for people to try Cisdem Video Converter, regardless of the name, which can be worked as a powerful video converter, DVD & Blu-ray ripper, video downloader and video compressor, saving people from downloading extra programs cluttered on device. Also, it offers rich customization features to edit the files, allowing people to beautify the files with no need to find another editor software.

For making conversions, it supports converting 600+ video and audio file formats without losing quality. So it can not only convert MP4 to WAV in seconds, but also can convert MP4 to MP3, M4A, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AIFF, and more audio or video formats you want. Plus, it offers more useful features to ensure an easy but satisfying conversion, such as converting multiple files in batches, merging several files into one, and so on.

Steps on how to batch convert MP4 to WAV using Cisdem

1. Open the program and add files for converting

Choose the latest version of the program for your computer, download and install it.

Free Download Windows 10 or later    Free Download macOS 10.13 or later

Launch the downloaded app, move to the local folder that contains all MP4 videos to convert, directly drag and drop them to the default tab for making conversions.

2. Select the output format

Go to the bottom left corner of the program, click on “Convert all tasks to” box to select “Audio > WAV" and select Lossless Quality.

As it supports other formats, you are allowed to choose other wanted format according to your mind.

3. Edit file parameter (Not necessary)

Move to the selected format option again, click on the next “gearwheel” icon to make an advanced setting to the output file. If you have no idea about what the file you want, just skip this step and adopt the default preset.

4. Convert MP4 files to WAV on Windows/Mac

Hit on Start button on the bottom right corner to initiate the batch conversion process. Once finished, click on the “Checkmark” icon to locate them on your local folder.

Way 2. Convert MP4 to WAV Free with an Audio Editor

Audacity is a freeware dedicated to handling audio files, including editing, recording and converting. Besides converting audio files, it can also extract audio from videos. But if you want to extract WAV from MP4 with Audacity, you need to install the companion FFmpeg library to expand its list of supported formats.

Steps on how to transcode MP4 file to WAV with Audacity

1. Download and install it on your computer.

2. Open it, install FFmpeg library by clicking on “Edit (Audacity on Mac) > Preferences > Libraries > Download” on the top menu bar.
   
3. Now, add an MP4 video to the program by simply dragging and dropping.
4. Move to the top toolbox again, click on “File > Export > Export as WAV”.
   
5. On the popped-up window, choose a suitable destination, file name and other format settings. Once done, click Save to keep the data.
6. Then, another window pops up for you to edit the metadata tags of the file, including artist name, album track, year, genre, etc. Finally, click OK to start the task.

Way 3. Convert MP4 Video to WAV with an Media Player

Some media players are not limited to just playing media files, which do a decent job in other aspects too. For example, VLC Media Player, can not only play almost all videos and audios on cross platforms for free, but also provides many potential functions, such as recording live videos, downloading YouTube videos, ripping unprotected DVDs, converting popular videos and audios, etc.

In terms of conversion, it supports converting almost all videos and audios to some common-used formats, like MP4, TS, WebM, MP3 and FLAC. But for converting MP4 to WAV, it requires users to create a new output profile manually. Thus, it is a bit complicated for newbies. If you already have VLC installed, follow us to learn how it works.

Steps on how to convert MP4 to WAV on Windows 10 with VLC Media Player

Since this open-source media player supports on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, here we take the Windows version as an example.

1. Download the Windows version of VLC on your PC, and install it.
2. Run it, click on “Media > Convert/Save” on the top bar.
3. Click “+ add” button to upload an MP4 file for conversion.
4. Tap on “Convert/Save” button to continue.
5. On the Profile section, click on “Wrench” icon.
   
6. Select WAV in “Encapsulation” tab, and choose wav codec in “Audio codec” tab. Click “Save”.
   
7. Back to the Convert interface, click the drop-down icon of Profile box to select “WAV” as the target format.
   
8. Move to the Destination section, click on “Browse” button to choose a location and change the file name.
9. Finally, click “Start” button to begin the working.
   

Way 4. Change MP4 to WAV with an Media Library Software

iTunes, developed by Apple Inc., is well known as a media library, player and management tool available on Mac and Windows. It is reported that millions of people become its avid fans every year. This mainstream tool also shows amazing function in converting files. If you have installed iTunes on your computer and don’t want to download extra software, iTunes is a great option.

Steps on how to convert MP4 to WAV with iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Click on “File > Add File to Library” on the top toolbox to select and upload the needed MP4 file.
3. Then, move to the Preferences settings dialogue in advance. To do so, click on “Edit (“iTunes” on Mac) > Preferences” on the top menu bar.
4. On the opened window, tap on “Import Settings” in the “General” tab.
5. Then, click the drop-down icon of “Import Using” button, choose “WAV Encoder” and click “OK”.
   
6. Back to the main interface, choose the MP4 video that you want to convert, and then tap on “File > Convert > Create WAV Version” on the top to extract WAV from MP4.
   

Way 5. Convert MP4 to WAV with Command Line

In addition, it is effective to convert MP4 video to WAV via command lines. But it is more suitable for people who are proficient in software, because different tasks have different command lines, which is a bit burdensome for novices to distinguish. The command way is created for some software that don’t have an independent graphic interface to conduct the task, like FFmpeg.

It is an open-source library tool that can convert all videos and audios on Windows and Mac for free. With specific command lines, it allows users to edit the files at will, such as trimming, changing quality, etc. All in all, it is a boon for software master.

Steps on how to change MP4 to WAV with FFmpeg

1. Download FFmpeg library and install it.
2. Open Terminal / Command Prompt on your computer.
3. Type in the command: ffmpeg -i inputvideoname.mp4 outputaudioname.wav
   For bulk converting, type in: f in *.mp4;do ffmpeg -i “$f” “${f%mp4}wav”;done
4. Press “Enter” to start converting MP4 to WAV.

Way 6. Using Online MP4 to WAV Converters

Online converters are good for those who don’t want to install extra software. But the shortcomings of online service are also obvious, for example, most online converters claim that they are free, but they limit the file size strictly. Besides, the working speed of online tools is not stable especial when dealing with large files.

Through numerous tests ,MP4.to is highly recommended, which can convert MP4 to various audio&video formats, and vice versa. Unlike common online converters, MP4.to converts files up to 2GB for free , and it supports batch processing multiple files. A slightly downside of it is that the wrongly added files cannot be removed unless you reload or re-enter the page.

Steps on how to convert MP4 to WAV online free with MP4.to

1. Visit https://mp4.to/.
2. Tap on “MP4 to WAV” under “Convert from MP4” section.
3. On the MP4 to WAV converter interface, directly drag and drop all MP4 files to the place for adding files.
   
4. Click “Convert Files” button to start to upload and convert MP4 files. Just wait patiently as this process may consume some time.
   
5. Once finished, you can choose to download them one by one, or download them as a ZIP in one click.

Is it Possible to Convert MP4 to WAV with Windows Media Player on Windows 10?

No. Windows Media Player originally doesn’t possess conversion function. Although sometimes we use it to rip audio from a disc by using its ripping feature, unluckily, it can only deal with CD discs. So Windows Media Player doesn’t have the ability to change MP4 file to WAV.

Final Words

This article introduces 6 different ways to convert MP4 to WAV on Windows and Mac, covering almost all practical solutions, which permits people to use a suitable way according to personal situation. For people who are seeking for fast speed and high quality, it is necessary to use a professional MP4 to WAV converter, which can not only meet these requirements, but also provides reliable features and additional powerful functions.