Convert AAC to WAV
Convert AAC audio files to uncompressed WAV format directly in your browser. WAV is the standard for editing in DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Audacity — no decode overhead during scrubbing or rendering. No upload needed.
Drag 'n' drop files here, or
click to select files
.aac, .m4a
Drop your files and click Convert to get WAV
//when_to_use
When to Convert AAC to WAV
- Converting AAC voice memos from iPhone to WAV for editing in Audacity with sample-accurate scrubbing
- Preparing AAC tracks from Apple Music exports as WAV for remixing in Ableton Live or Logic Pro
- Converting AAC podcast episode source files to WAV for mastering passes in iZotope RX
- Loading AAC samples as WAV into hardware samplers like the MPC Live or Akai Force
- Converting AAC stems to WAV for multitrack video editors like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve
//comparison
AAC vs WAV
| Property | AAC | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | AAC MDCT (lossy) | PCM (uncompressed) |
| Typical file size (4 min) | ~5 MB | ~40 MB |
| Editing-friendly | Re-decode on scrub | Native, sample-accurate |
| Quality after editing | Cumulative loss | Lossless processing |
| DAW compatibility | Supported (with decode) | Native (preferred) |
| Best for | Distribution, streaming | Editing, mastering |
//how_it_works
How It Works
Drop your AAC files
Drag and drop or select AAC or M4A files at any bitrate. First use loads FFmpeg WASM (~30MB).
FFmpeg decodes AAC
FFmpeg WASM parses the ADTS or M4A container and decodes the AAC stream to raw PCM samples at the source sample rate.
Write 16-bit PCM WAV
PCM is written as uncompressed 16-bit signed PCM with a RIFF WAV header at the source sample rate (typically 44.1kHz or 48kHz).
Download your WAV files
Your uncompressed WAVs are ready for any DAW, sampler, audio editor, or video editing tool.
// under the hood
AAC uses MDCT with temporal noise shaping (TNS) and perceptual noise substitution (PNS) for lossy compression. Our converter uses FFmpeg WASM to decode the AAC stream (ADTS or M4A container) to raw PCM samples at the source sample rate, then writes the PCM as uncompressed 16-bit signed little-endian PCM stereo with a standard RIFF WAV header. No further quality loss occurs during the WAV write.
//faq
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why convert AAC to WAV?
- DAWs work most reliably with uncompressed PCM. Loading AAC into Pro Tools or Logic Pro triggers a decode every time you scrub or render. Converting to WAV up front gives you a stable, editable file with zero further quality loss during processing.
- Does WAV restore AAC quality?
- No — WAV cannot recover information lost during the original AAC encoding. AAC discards inaudible data permanently. WAV gives you a perfectly preserved decode of the lossy AAC, but the AAC quality is the ceiling.
- What WAV format is produced?
- 16-bit signed little-endian PCM stereo at the source sample rate (typically 44.1kHz or 48kHz). This is CD-quality and the standard format expected by every DAW, sampler, video editor, and audio tool.
- What's the WAV file size?
- About 10 MB per minute of stereo audio at 44.1kHz/16-bit. A typical 4-minute AAC track (~5 MB) becomes a ~40 MB WAV. WAV is uncompressed by design — that's why it's the editing format, not the delivery format.
- Are my AAC files uploaded?
- No. FFmpeg WebAssembly runs entirely in your browser. Your AAC files never leave your device.
//related_converters
Related Converters
Similar conversions you might need.
Convert M4A to MP3
Convert Apple M4A audio files to universally compatible MP3.
→Convert AAC to MP3
Convert AAC audio files to widely compatible MP3 format.
→Convert AAC to OGG
Convert AAC audio to OGG Vorbis for open-source ecosystems and Linux compatibility.
→Convert AAC to FLAC
Convert AAC audio to FLAC lossless format for archival.
→Convert OGG to WAV
Convert OGG Vorbis audio to uncompressed WAV for DAW editing and professional workflows.
→Convert MP3 to WAV
Convert MP3 audio to uncompressed WAV for editing and professional audio workflows.
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