How to archive wav files as flac — free online converter
- Step 1Drop one session or recording WAV — One file per run (
acceptsMultipleis false), which suits archiving stems and masters deliberately, one at a time. The file is processed in your browser tab's memory and never uploaded — keep unreleased material private. - Step 2Pick a compression level for the archive — Default 8 is the standard archival setting. For a deep backup where you want the smallest files and don't mind a slower encode, choose 12 · smallest, slowest. The level only changes size and time — your audio is identical.
- Step 3Keep the native resolution — Don't down-convert a 24-bit field or studio capture for archive — FLAC stores it natively. A future re-master should start from the full-resolution audio, and FLAC preserves it.
- Step 4Convert the file — FFmpeg re-encodes the PCM with the
flacencoder and-compression_level <n>and embeds an MD5 of the decoded audio. No bitrate is applied (FLAC is lossless). Long multitrack stems at level 12 take longer; short voice tracks are quick. - Step 5Download and file the .flac — Save the FLAC into your project archive alongside the session files. Name it to match your session so a future you can find it fast.
- Step 6Verify, then trust the archive — Run
flac --test file.flacto confirm the embedded MD5 matches — proof the archive is bit-perfect. Re-open it years later by decoding to WAV (flac -d) and re-edit from the exact original.
Recordist archive: what to keep as FLAC vs. publish as MP3
FLAC for anything you might re-open; MP3 for the listener-facing deliverable. Both have a tool in the JAD audio family.
| Asset | Archive as | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast episode master (mixed WAV) | FLAC (this tool) | Re-edit / re-master later from bit-identical audio |
| Multitrack stems (host, guest, music) | FLAC per stem | Lossless remix material; ~half the storage |
| Field recordings (24-bit) | FLAC at native resolution | Faithful, smaller, no down-conversion |
| Publish-ready episode | WAV to MP3 | Small, hosting-friendly, lossy is fine for listeners |
| Quick reference / preview | WAV to MP3 | Tiny share copy; regenerate from the FLAC any time |
Typical session sizes: WAV vs FLAC archive
Illustrative per-asset sizes. WAV is exact PCM math; FLAC is a typical range that varies with content.
| Asset | Format | WAV size | FLAC archive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-min episode master | 24-bit/48k stereo | ~742 MB | ~370-520 MB |
| Single voice stem, 45 min | 24-bit/48k mono | ~371 MB | ~150-220 MB |
| 2-hour field recording | 24-bit/96k stereo | ~3.88 GB | ~1.9-2.7 GB |
| Music bed loop, 2 min | 16-bit/44.1k stereo | ~21 MB | ~13-17 MB |
Cookbook
Archive patterns for podcast and field workflows. Each keeps the audio bit-identical and re-editable. Sizes are illustrative.
Archive an episode master after publishing
Once the MP3 is on your host, you don't need the giant WAV master on fast disk. FLAC it and move it to backup.
Master: ep142_final.wav 24-bit / 48 kHz / stereo / 52:00 Level: 8 Output: ep142_final.flac ~430 MB (was ~857 MB WAV) Keep the FLAC; the published MP3 stays on the host.
Archive each stem for future remixing
If you might re-mix or fix a guest's level later, keep the stems — losslessly. Convert each one.
ep142_host.wav -> ep142_host.flac ep142_guest.wav -> ep142_guest.flac ep142_music.wav -> ep142_music.flac All level 8, all bit-identical. Re-import to the DAW any time by decoding back to WAV.
Back up a long field session at level 12
A multi-hour 24-bit field recording is huge; for cold backup, squeeze it. Audio is identical to level 8.
Source: forest_dawn.wav 24-bit / 96 kHz / 1:48:00 WAV: ~3.5 GB FLAC l12: ~2.0 GB (slower encode, max savings) Needs Pro-media/Developer tier (over 200 MB / 120 min).
Re-open an archived episode two years later
The payoff: the archive is fully re-editable because it's lossless. Decode and edit from the exact original.
flac -d ep087_final.flac -o ep087_final.wav # Identical to the original master -> drop into the DAW, # fix the intro, re-export, re-publish. Zero quality loss # from the archive step.
Voice-only interview compresses to roughly half
Spoken-word mono is a FLAC strong case — big savings on the recordings you have most of.
Source: interview_raw.wav 16-bit / 48 kHz / mono / 1:12:00 WAV: ~396 MB FLAC l8: ~175 MB (~56% smaller) Still fully editable; decode back any time.
Edge cases and what actually happens
Recorder timecode / bext chunk
Not preservedField recorders and many DAWs write Broadcast WAV with a bext chunk holding timecode and scene/take metadata. Standard FLAC has no slot for it, so that production metadata is not carried across. For sync-critical film/field work, keep the BWF master and use FLAC for size-reduced reference copies.
32-bit float field recording
Converted to integerMany modern recorders capture 32-bit float for huge headroom. FLAC stores integer PCM, so a float file is converted to integer samples — lossless for that integer form but not a bit-exact float container. If the float headroom matters for later gain-staging, keep the WAV and archive a 24-bit FLAC as a surrogate.
Session exceeds the per-file size cap
413 blockedEpisode masters and field sessions are large: Free caps at 50 MB, Pro at 200 MB. A 45-minute 24-bit episode (~740 MB) or a multi-hour field file needs Pro-media or Developer (up to 100 GB). The limit is on the input WAV size.
Recording longer than the duration cap
RejectedA separate duration limit applies: 30 min Free, 120 min Pro, unlimited on Pro-media and Developer. Most full episodes and field sessions exceed 30 (and often 120) minutes, so archival workflows typically need Pro-media or Developer.
Multitrack interleaved in one WAV vs separate stems
Encoded as-isIf your WAV holds multiple channels (e.g. a polyphonic recorder file), FLAC supports multichannel and stores them losslessly. It does not split them into separate files. To archive stems individually, export them from your DAW first, then FLAC each — or use channel-splitter for left/right separation.
Expecting to archive a whole project folder in one go
Single file onlyThis converter handles one file per run. A project means converting masters and stems individually. There is no batch queue here; for higher volume, the broader audio toolset on a Pro plan helps.
Loud, dense music master barely shrinks
ExpectedA heavily-limited music bed or mastered track has little redundancy, so FLAC may only save 15-25%. Spoken-word and sparse field audio save far more. Either way it's lossless — there's no level that compresses dense audio further without discarding data.
WAV was bounced from a lossy source
No quality gainIf a guest sent compressed audio that you bounced to WAV, the lossy artifacts are baked in. FLAC preserves them faithfully but recovers nothing. Archive it for editability, but note the provenance — it is not an analog/PCM-quality master.
Truncated recording (recorder died mid-take)
Decode errorA WAV that was cut off when a recorder lost power may be truncated. FFmpeg may error on decode rather than producing a clean FLAC. Some recorders write recoverable partial files — repair the WAV in a recovery tool first, then archive the repaired version.
Wanting the archive to also be the publish file
Use the MP3 toolFLAC is the archive, not the deliverable — podcast hosts and most platforms expect MP3. Keep the FLAC for re-editing and generate the episode file with WAV to MP3; the podcast hosting solution walks through the right settings.
Frequently asked questions
Why archive podcast and field WAVs as FLAC instead of just keeping the WAV?
FLAC is lossless, so the archive is bit-identical to the WAV — a future re-edit or re-master starts from the exact original — but it's ~40-60% smaller, so the archive actually fits on disk. You get faithful, re-editable masters without the WAV storage tax.
Can I re-edit an episode from the FLAC archive years later?
Yes. Decode the FLAC back to WAV with any player or flac -d and you have the exact original PCM to drop into your DAW. Because FLAC has no generation loss, the archive step costs you nothing when you re-open the project.
Will my 24-bit field recordings stay 24-bit?
Yes — FLAC stores 24-bit at any sample rate natively, so a high-resolution capture archives at full resolution with no down-conversion. The exception is 32-bit float recordings, which FLAC stores as integer PCM; keep the float WAV if the extra headroom matters for later gain changes.
Are unreleased episodes or client sessions uploaded?
No. Conversion runs entirely in your browser via FFmpeg 8.1 WASM. The file is processed in memory and downloaded — nothing is transmitted. That keeps unreleased episodes, client work, and embargoed field recordings private and under your control.
Does the compression level affect the recording's quality?
No. Level only changes file size and encode time. Levels 0, 5, 8, and 12 all decode to identical audio. Use 8 (the default) normally, or 12 for the smallest archive when you don't mind a slower encode — neither touches the sound.
Can I archive multitrack stems with this?
Yes, one stem at a time — convert each exported stem WAV to FLAC. The tool processes a single file per run and doesn't split a combined file into stems. Export stems from your DAW first; for simple L/R separation, channel-splitter can help.
Does it keep my episode metadata and cover art?
Source tags carry via -map_metadata 0 and embedded artwork is re-attached as a FLAC picture block. Plain session WAVs often carry little metadata, so you may add episode tags afterwards in your tagging tool of choice.
How big and how long a recording can I convert?
Free allows 50 MB / 30 min per file, Pro 200 MB / 120 min, and Pro-media / Developer up to 100 GB with unlimited duration. Both limits apply. Full episodes and field sessions usually exceed the Free and Pro caps, so they need Pro-media or Developer.
What about Broadcast WAV timecode from my recorder?
The BWF bext timecode/scene/take chunk has no FLAC equivalent and isn't preserved. For sync-critical film and field work where timecode is essential, keep the BWF master and use FLAC only for size-reduced reference copies.
Should the FLAC be the file I upload to my podcast host?
No — hosts and platforms expect MP3. FLAC is your re-editable archive. Generate the publish file with WAV to MP3; the podcast hosting solution covers recommended bitrate and settings. You can always regenerate the MP3 from the FLAC.
How do I know the archive is actually intact?
FFmpeg embeds an MD5 of the decoded audio in the FLAC header. Run flac --test file.flac to confirm it matches — that's your proof the archive is bit-perfect. Re-running the test periodically also catches storage bit-rot in long-term backups.
Can I batch a whole season's worth of files?
Not in this single-file tool — it converts one WAV per run. For a season, repeat per file (masters and stems). Each FLAC is independent and reversible, so a batch is just the same reliable step applied many times; Pro-tier limits make the large files practical.
Privacy first
Every JAD Audio tool runs entirely in your browser via FFmpeg (WebAssembly) and RNNoise. Your audio files never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.