What is MP3?
Also called: MPEG-1 Audio Layer III
MP3 is a lossy audio format that makes files much smaller by removing sounds the encoder judges hard to hear. It is supported almost everywhere, at bitrates up to 320 kbps.
MP3 uses a model of human hearing to decide what to discard, such as quiet details that are masked by louder sounds nearby. At 320 kbps most listeners find it very hard to tell apart from the original in normal listening, while lower bitrates bring audible artifacts like swirly cymbals and a smeared high end.
Because data is thrown away, MP3 is a delivery format, not a working format. Every time an MP3 is decoded, edited and encoded again, more quality is lost. MP3 encoders also add a little silence at the start and end, which can cause gaps in music meant to play continuously.
Most distributors want a WAV or FLAC master and create their own compressed versions from it.
Put it to work
Convert audio to MP3 at the bitrate you need, or from MP3 to WAV for tools that require it.
Audio File Converter