MP3 to WAV with Winamp 2.X

Converting MP3 to WAV with Winamp 2.X
MP3 to WAV 2: Disk Writer's Revenge


Step 1: Prepare The Files
Load up the files you want to play into the playlist editor in the order you want them converted. You can load a song individually and convert that, or fill the playlist up and convert them all at once. One warning though, the WAV files made will be around ten times as big as the current MP3, so make sure you have plenty of hard drive space.

Also, before you precede make sure both Repeat (shortcut: R) and Shuffle (Shortcut: S) are off. If they are on, the tracks will be out of order and will continually be decoded to WAV files.

Another thing to note is that both any DSP plug-ins and the Equalizer affect the decoded MP3s. Make sure the Equalizer is toggled off and check to make sure you have no DSP plug-ins running:
Preferences (Ctrl-P) > Plug-ins > DSP/Effect > Select "(none)" > OK




Step 2: Configuring the output plug-in
2.1: Selecting Disk Writer

Now you have to change the output plug-in that Winamp uses to "Nullsoft Disk Writer" in the Preferences Menu, which can be brought up by hitting Ctrl+P:
Preferences (Ctrl-P) > Plug-ins > Output > Select "Nullsoft Disk Writer plug-in v1.0"



Once you select the Disk Writer plug-in, hit the Configure button at the bottom of the preferences window. A configuration window will pop up as shown below:



2.2: Selecting Output Directory
First select an output directory by hitting the "Output directory" button. A directory selection box will pop up, as show below. Select the directory to which you wish to decode to and hit the "OK" button.



2.3 Configuring Disk Writer's options
Now if you just want to decode the MP3s like they are you can skip this section, but it explains what all these other options are and do.

2.3.1: Changing Formats
By default Disk Writer will convert the MP3 into a WAV of the format the MP3 is encoded in. Sometimes this is not the best solution and the WAV files need to be in a specific format. For example for many CD burner programs to make an Audio CD the WAV file must be in CD Quality format. To select a custom format check the "convert to format box" and hit the button with three dots [...] to select the format you want



If you burn these to an audio CD you should select "CD Quality" from the name drop down box.

2.3.2: Creating one WAV file
This option allows you to take all the MP3s you have loaded into your playlist and turn them into one big wav file instead of individual files for each track.

If you want to do this check "Enable" in the "Single-file mode" box. Then click on the button with three dots [...] to select the location of the output file. If you want to change the format of the file hit the "Format:" button and do as above.


Step 3: Decoding the MP3 files to WAV
Once you have selected all your options hit "OK" in the Disk Writer options window and Close in Preferences to get back to the main Winamp windows.

Now all you have to do is hit "PLAY" and let it go. Notice you will hear no sound and the player will appear to play really fast. This is normal, this means it is working. The speed at which it moves is dependent on your system though, but it should take a 4 min song about 15 to 30 seconds to decode. it is best not to use your computer in these seconds it takes to decoded to prevent any skipping or artifacts being introduced into the decoded WAV.

Step 4: Clean-up
Once all the MP3s are decoded to WAV all that is left to do is to switch back to the normal waveOut plug-in. This is done pretty much the same way as you switched to the Disk Writer plug-in:
Preferences (Ctrl-P) > Plug-ins > Output > "Nullsoft waveOut plug-in v2.0" > "Close" Button



That is all folks! Your WAV files should now be located in the directory (folder) you selected in STEP 2.

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Thanks to GREEK_MP3 who wrote the original version for Winamp 2.64. Most of this was modified or flat out stolen from him
[Last Updated: 11/07/01]