WAV vs MP3 files
- Tom Dheere
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Let's say you've booked me for a voice over project. Thanks, BTW!
You’ve approved the final read, your project is almost done, and then I ask you, “What audio format would you like me to send?”
If you’re not an audio engineer, this question might seem technical and confusing. But choosing the right file type is a simple but important step. The choice boils down to a classic trade-off: Quality vs. File Size.
Let's demystify the two most common formats used in voice over projects —WAV and MP3—so you'll always know exactly what audio file format to ask for.
The Main Difference Between WAV vs MP3
A WAV file is an uncompressed, 100% complete, archival-quality audio file. It is the "master" copy of the recording.
An MP3 file is a compressed audio file. It's intentionally made smaller by removing parts of the sound data that the human ear is least likely to notice.
Think of a photograph. A WAV file is like the giant, raw, multi-megabyte image file (a .TIFF or .RAW) that a graphic designer needs for a billboard. An MP3 is like the compressed .JPEG you post on your website—it loads fast and looks great, but you’d never want to print a poster from it.
The WAV File
A WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is the gold standard for audio quality.
Pro: It is uncompressed, meaning it contains all the original audio data exactly as it was captured by my professional microphone. There is zero loss in quality.
Con: The file sizes are very large. A 60-second mono voice over file can be 10MB or more.
When should you ask for a WAV file?
You should ALWAYS ask for a WAV file if the audio is being sent to a video editor, an audio engineer, or a production house.
This is the best audio format for video production because your editor needs the full, uncompressed file to mix with music, sound effects, and other audio elements. Delivering them a compressed MP3 is like giving a chef pre-minced garlic in a jar—they can use it, but they'll be annoyed and the final product won't be as good.
The MP3 File
An MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) is the king of convenience.
Pro: The file sizes are dramatically smaller than WAV files (often 10 times smaller). This makes them easy to email, upload, or stream.
Con: It is compressed. To achieve that small size, audio data is permanently deleted.
When should you ask for an MP3 file?
An MP3 is perfect for any situation where convenience matters more than perfect audio fidelity. This includes:
Listening copies for you or your team to approve.
Final audio for a simple website audio player.
Audio for a podcast or an online streaming service.
Anytime you need to send a file as an email attachment.
A quick note on Bit Rate: MP3 compression can be adjusted. "Bit rate" is the measure of audio quality for an MP3. I always export MP3s at a high bit rate (320kbps), which provides the best possible quality in the smallest possible package.
Mono vs. Stereo
You might also be asked if you want a "mono" or "stereo" file.
Mono (Monaural): This is a single audio channel.
Stereo: This is two audio channels (a left and a right).
For a single human voice, you should always ask for mono.
A single voice is a mono sound source. Recording it in stereo simply creates a file that is twice as large without adding any audio value. The only time you'd need a stereo voice over file is for a special creative project with sound effects or panning (e.g., a voice that moves from one ear to the other).
99.9% of the time, a mono WAV file is the final, professional-grade product your team needs.
What Should You Ask For?
Is the audio going to an editor or producer to be mixed into a video or ad?
Ask for a MONO WAV file.
Do you just need a file to listen to, approve, or share with your team quickly?
Ask for a MONO MP3 file.
And if you’re ever in doubt? Ask for both!
Thanks For Reading!
To learn more about me, hear some samples, or download my demos, just go to www.tomdheere.com.
Tom Dheere is a voice actor with over 25 years of experience narrating just about every type of voiceover you can think of. He also helps other voice talents navigate the voiceover industry as the VO Strategist. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.