How do I convert my phone recordings to MP3?

What are MP3 Files and Why Convert to MP3?

MP3 is a digital audio coding format that compresses audio files by removing certain parts of the sound that are less audible to the human ear [1]. The MP3 format was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute and officially introduced as an ISO standard in 1993 [2]. It uses “lossy” compression, which selectively discards data to reduce the file size with minimal loss in quality.

The key benefits of converting audio to MP3 format include:

• Smaller file sizes – MP3 compression can reduce the size of audio files by up to 90-95% compared to lossless formats like WAV or FLAC, without major impacts to quality.
• Wide compatibility – The MP3 format is supported by almost every media player, smartphone, computer, and portable device.
• Retains good audio quality at lower bitrates – MP3 encoding removes inaudible sounds but maintains music and voice quality even at 128 or 160 kbps.

For these reasons, converting audio recordings to MP3 can save storage space while still providing high-quality audio for playback on any device.

Common Ways to Record Audio on Your Phone

Most smartphones have a default voice recorder app pre-installed that allows you to easily record audio. On an iPhone, the app is called Voice Memos, while on many Android phones it may be called Sound Recorder, Voice Recorder, or something similar (Verizon). To use the default recorder, simply open the app and tap the record button to begin capturing audio. Hold the bottom of your phone near the audio source to ensure high quality recordings.

You can also download and install third party recording apps from your phone’s app store for more recording options and features. Apps like Easy Voice Recorder and Smart Voice Recorder allow you to edit recordings, add tags, and share files. Some may provide better audio quality than your phone’s built-in option.

Another way to record audio is by making a phone call and saving your incoming voicemail message. On iPhones, navigate to your voicemail in the Phone app, tap the message, and select Save. On Androids, open the Phone app, touch and hold 1 to call voicemail, then tap More > Save audio to save the message.

Where to Find Your Phone Recordings

Phone recordings can be stored in different locations depending on your device’s operating system and the app used to record the audio. Here are some of the default locations to check:

iPhone/iPad

If you used the built-in Voice Memos app, recordings are stored in the Voice Memos app itself. You can access them by opening the Voice Memos app.¹

Recordings can also be found in the Files app under On My iPhone > Voice Memos.

Android

On Android devices, different recording apps store files in different places. The most common locations are:

• Sound Recorder app – Check directly in the app
• Google Voice app – Located in Phone > Recents
• WhatsApp – WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Voice Notes

You can also use your device’s Files/File Manager app to search for audio files with the .mp3, .m4a, or .wav extension.

Using a File Explorer

On both iPhone and Android, you can use a file explorer app to browse all files on your device and search for audio files. Popular options include Documents by Readdle, Filza, Solid Explorer, and MiXplorer on Android, and Documents by Readdle, FileExplorer, and iMazing on iPhone.

Online Audio Converters

Online audio converters provide a quick and easy way to convert your phone recordings into MP3 format without downloading any software. Some of the top recommended online converters include:

• Online Audio Converter – supports over 300 file formats and offers advanced settings like bitrate, sample rate, etc.
• Zamzar – converts to MP3 and other formats without size limits
• FileZigZag – simple drag and drop interface with fast conversion

The process of using an online audio converter is straightforward:

1. Go to the converter’s website and click the upload button.
2. Select the audio files you want to convert from your phone or cloud storage.
3. Choose MP3 as the output format.
4. Click convert. The website will process your files.
5. When finished, download the MP3 files to your computer.

Online converters provide a quick way to batch convert multiple audio recordings without needing to install any software. Just be aware of any file size or daily conversion limits each website may have.

Desktop Audio Converter Software

For converting audio files on your computer, downloading a free desktop audio converter is often the easiest option. There are several highly-rated free tools available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

On Windows, recommended options include Fre:ac, Switch Audio Converter, and Movavi Audio Converter. These programs allow you to quickly convert between MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, AAC, and other formats. To use them, simply download the software installer from the provider’s website and follow the setup wizard prompts to install it on your computer.

For Mac, top choices are Convertio, Audio Converter, and Online Audio Converter. These work right within Mac Finder to convert audio files. Download the Mac app from the website, drag and drop files for conversion, and specify output format and settings.

The best free audio converter tools for desktop provide an intuitive interface, support all common formats, deliver high-quality results, and convert files quickly. They allow you to batch process multiple files at once. Most also offer advanced options like trimming, effects, and metadata editing.

Using iTunes to Convert to MP3

One way to convert your audio files to MP3 is by using iTunes. To start, you’ll need to import the audio files you want to convert into your iTunes library. This can be done by dragging and dropping the files into the iTunes window on your computer.

Once the files are imported, you can convert them to MP3 format. To do this, go to Edit > Preferences > General in the iTunes menu. Then click on “Import Settings” and change the Import Using dropdown to “MP3 Encoder.” You can also adjust the settings like bitrate quality here before clicking OK.

Now when you highlight the songs you want to convert in your library and go to File > Convert > Create MP3 Version, iTunes will convert the selected files to MP3 format based on the settings you chose (1). This is an easy way to batch convert multiple audio files to MP3 all at once using software you may already have installed.

Using Windows Media Player to Convert

Windows Media Player (WMP) is a free multimedia application developed by Microsoft that can be used to convert audio files to MP3 format. Here’s how to use WMP on Windows to convert audio files to MP3:

First, add the audio files you want to convert to the WMP library. Open WMP, click on Library > Add to Library and select the audio files. This will import the files into your WMP library.

Once the files are added, select them and right-click. Choose “Convert” from the context menu. This will open the Convert Options window.

In the Format dropdown, select “MP3 Audio” from the list. You can also adjust the MP3 settings here like Bitrate, Channels, and Sample Rate if you want. Then click Convert to start the conversion process.

WMP will then convert the selected audio files to MP3 format. You’ll see the conversion progress. When it’s completed, the MP3 files will be saved in the same folder as the original files.

So in summary, adding files to the WMP library and then using the Convert feature with MP3 format selected allows converting audio files to MP3 easily using Windows Media Player. For more details, see this guide: How to Convert Any Type of Audio in Windows Media Player

Converting on Mac with Finder

The Finder app on Mac provides a simple way to convert audio files into MP3 format. Here are the steps:

1. Locate the audio file you want to convert in Finder. This could be a recording made on your iPhone that you transferred to your Mac.

2. Right click on the file and select “Convert” from the menu.

3. In the conversion options that appear, click the dropdown menu next to “Format” and select “MP3” as the output format.

4. You can also adjust the quality and sample rate for the MP3 here before converting.

5. Click “OK” to begin the conversion process.

The original file will remain untouched, and a new MP3 version will be created in the same folder. The Finder conversion makes it quick and easy to turn recordings into MP3 files on a Mac.

Optimizing MP3 Settings

When converting your audio files to MP3, you’ll want to optimize the settings for the best balance of audio quality and file size. Here are some key factors to consider:

Recommended Bitrates: The bitrate determines how much data is used to store each second of audio, which impacts both quality and file size. For most listeners, a bitrate of 128-192 kbps offers decent sound quality while keeping file sizes manageable. Audiophiles may prefer higher bitrates up to 320 kbps for superior quality, but this comes at the cost of larger file sizes.^[1]

Mono vs. Stereo: Mono recordings use a single audio channel, while stereo uses two channels to produce a richer soundscape. Stereo files take up about twice as much space as mono files at the same bitrate. For music, stereo is recommended, but for speech, mono is usually sufficient.^[2]

Constant vs. Variable Bitrate (CBR vs. VBR): With CBR, the bitrate stays the same throughout the file. VBR adjusts the bitrate dynamically based on the complexity of the audio. VBR can achieve better overall quality, but CBR may be preferable for streaming and DJ mixing where constant file sizes are desired.^[1]

Testing different settings can help you find the optimal balance for your needs. The higher the bitrate and more complex the encoding, the better the audio quality – but at the cost of larger file sizes.

^[1] https://www.lifewire.com/factors-to-consider-before-converting-to-mp3-2438754

^[2] https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-best-settings-for-an-MP3-file

Playback of MP3 Files

Once you have converted your phone recordings into MP3 format, you will want to be able to easily listen to them. There are a few options for playing back MP3 files both on your computer and mobile devices.

On your desktop or laptop computer, you can use media player software to listen to MP3s. Popular free options include VLC media player and JetAudio. These players will allow you to create playlists, organize your library, and listen to MP3s with no hassle. You can also use iTunes on Mac or Windows Media Player on Windows to play MP3 files.

To listen to MP3 files on your iPhone, you will need to transfer them first. Connect your iPhone to your computer and use iTunes or the Finder app on Mac to sync the MP3 files. They will now appear in the Apple Music app and you can listen offline. For Android phones, you can transfer MP3s via cable or cloud storage. Open the files in apps like Google Play Music, Spotify, or dedicated MP3 player apps. Modern smartphones are fully capable of storing and playing high quality MP3 music files for offline listening.