Why decode a ringtone to WAV
WAV is the simplest audio file there is, and almost every program reads it. When you convert M4R to WAV, you can open the tone in any editor, load it into a sampler or drum machine, use it as an alarm sound in software that accepts only WAV, or add it to a game or app project. It is also the right step before heavy editing, because a WAV can be saved again and again without new compression loss.
Quality and size
The WAV holds exactly what the AAC decoder produces from the ringtone. It sounds identical to the M4R and does not regain anything AAC removed. Because WAV is uncompressed, it is much larger:
| File | 40-second tone |
|---|---|
| M4R, 256 kbps AAC | about 1.3 MB |
| WAV, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, stereo | about 7 MB |
| WAV, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, mono | about 3.5 MB |
For a short tone, these sizes are no problem on a computer.
Settings
- Bit depth: 16-bit is the normal choice. Pick 24-bit or 32-bit float if you plan large changes such as pitch shifting, strong EQ or time stretching.
- Sample rate: most tones are 44.1 kHz. Keep that, or choose 48 kHz if the sound is for a video project.
- Channels: many embedded systems, alarms and sound boards prefer mono WAV.
Editing ideas
Once the tone is a WAV, open it in the audio editor to cut it, add fades or loop it smoothly. You can make it deeper or higher with Pitch Shifter, or add space with Reverb. When you are happy, turn it back into a ringtone with WAV to M4R.
WAV stores tags poorly, so the ringtone's name may not show in every program. Rename the file before you share it. Old ringtones from the iTunes Store may be copy-protected and cannot be decoded.