Digital media files come in many different formats but not all formats are supported by certain programs or hardware. Likewise, some formats simply function better than others. For these reasons, many people find themselves in the position of needing to convert a file from one format to another. For example, MP3 players generally only support the MP3 file format so when a user has a particular song, video, or other file that he/she wants to put on his/her MP3 player and the file is not in MP3 format, the user will need to convert the file to MP3 before he/she is able to put the file on the MP3 player. This article will explain what MP3 and MP3 converters are and list a number of MP3 converters.

What is an MP3 Converter
An MP3 converter is a program that is able to convert other file formats into the MP3 file format. The MP3, or MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, format is a type of media file used for audio. MP3 was the predecessor of MP4 and is much more popular than MP4 even today. The format uses a compression method that greatly reduces the size of the file while still maintaining good audio quality. Most media devices play MP3 files on default.

MP3/WAV Converter
The MP3/WAV Converter is a program that is capable of converting WAV to MP3 or MP3 to WAV. The program is provided by ImTOO.com and is also able to convert audio clips from MPEG, WMV, ASF, WMA, M4A, AAC, OGG, and AVI files to MP3 or WAV. The program can be downloaded for free on a trial basis or purchased for $19.99.

CD To MP3 Ripper
The CD To MP3 Ripper from Xilisoft allows the user to extract audio files from CDs and convert them to a number of file formats including MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, MP2, VQF, and APE. The software is also able to convert regular files between those formats without them having to be extracted from a CD. The program includes a built-in media player, multiple encoders, and can retrieve file information from the CD in question. The CD To MP3 Ripper can be downloaded for free on a trial basis or it can be purchased directly from Xilisoft's website for $23.95.

Cool MP3 Converter
The Cool MP3 Converter is specifically made to handle large amounts of files at once. The user can direct the program to convert a list of files to MP3 or other format and it will do so automatically. The program converts files between MP3, WMA, and WAV formats. The software also has a built-in media player that can play either a single file or a whole list of files, effectively creating a playlist. The Cool MP3 Converter supports drag-and-drop functionality, can convert playlists to WAV for CDs, and includes a tag editor. The software can be downloaded for a free trial or can be purchased for $23.90.

MP3 Converter Simple
The MP3 Converter Simple allows users to convert files between MP3, WAV, and OGG. The software claims to have excellent output quality, high conversion speed, and an incredibly easy user interface that even a child could use without studying it. The program is compatible with all Windows operating systems up until Windows XP, although it will most likely work on Vista and Windows 7 as well. The program can be downloaded for a free trial or purchased for $14.95.

Free MP3/WMA Converter
The Free MP3/WMA Converter is completely free and supports file conversions between MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, M4A, MP4, APE, AC3, FLAC, and WAV. The software can also extract files from CDs and automatically convert them into either MP3 or OGG file formats with the included Free CD Ripper. The program also includes a 30-day free trial of Easy MP3/WMA Cutter.

All Media To MP3 Converter Pro
The All Media To MP3 Converter Pro integrates itself into the user's operating system and allows the user to convert files simply by right clicking them and selecting the conversion option rather than opening the client each and every time he/she wants to convert a file. The program supports AVI, XVid, DivX, MP4, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG, MPE, MPA, RM, RMVB, RA, MOV, QT, DAT, VOB, VCD, DVD, WMV, ASF, WMA, ASF, WMA, WAV, and MP3. The software can either be downloaded for a free 10-second conversion trial or purchased for $39.95.