Choosing between WAV and MP3 shouldn’t feel like guesswork. If you’re exporting beats from an AI music generator like SOUNDRAW, the format you pick affects how your track sounds on YouTube, in a DAW session, or inside a client’s edit. This quick guide explains WAV vs MP3 in plain English, covers ideal sample rates and bit depths, and shows when each format makes the most sense so you stop second-guessing your exports.
WAV vs MP3: What Actually Changes
WAV is uncompressed audio. It preserves every detail of your mix, which is why engineers prefer it for mixing, mastering, and collaboration. MP3 is compressed. It throws away some information to reduce file size, which is perfect for fast sharing and casual listening but not ideal when more processing is coming later. If you plan to keep editing, layering vocals, or sending stems, start with WAV. If you just need a quick preview to message a friend or post a teaser, MP3 is fine.
When WAV is the Right Choice
Use WAV when quality and flexibility matter. If you’re sending a beat to a rapper to record on, exporting stems for a producer, or uploading a master to platforms that will re-encode the audio anyway, WAV gives you the best starting point. A 24-bit depth retains headroom, which helps avoid brittle transients and clipping when mastering. For music releases, 44.1 kHz is the standard sample rate; for video projects, 48 kHz keeps audio locked to the timeline. Export your master at around −1 dB true peak so YouTube, Spotify, and other services don’t create distortion during their own compression. Even if your tool doesn’t show LUFS, comparing your WAV to a reference track at the same playback volume will keep levels consistent.
When MP3 is the Smart Move
MP3 shines when speed and convenience matter more than microscopic fidelity. Sending a draft to a collaborator, dropping a quick DM preview, or posting a short clip on social? Export an MP3 so the file transfers instantly and plays on any device without conversions. A high bitrate, ideally 256–320 kbps, preserves most of the high-end snap in hats and percussion and keeps the low end tight enough for review. Treat MP3 like a postcard, not the master tape: it’s perfect for approvals and teasers, but you’ll want to circle back to the WAV for final delivery and distribution.
Simple Settings That Just Work
If your project is music-first, export a 24-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV for the master and keep a matching MP3 for quick sharing. If your beat will live inside a video editor, switch the WAV to 48 kHz so it syncs cleanly with footage. Only dither when reducing from 24-bit to 16-bit for a distributor that specifically requires it; otherwise, stay at 24-bit. If your software offers normalization or “match loudness” on export, enable it for MP3 previews so clients hear a consistent level across clips.
A Final Word on Stems and Workflow
Stems are simply separate tracks—drums, bass, lead, pads—that make collaboration painless. Always export stems as WAV so the next person can EQ, compress, and automate without fighting compression artifacts. Keep a small archive of your WAV master, your WAV stems, and a single MP3 preview so you can respond fast to any request. With these choices, “WAV vs MP3” stops being a worry and becomes a reliable part of your creative workflow.
With SOUNDRAW, exporting stems is as easy as one click!