Should I choose MP3 128 kbps, MP3 320 kbps, or WAV?
Updated October 9, 2026
Choose according to the intended player, available USB space, and the source file. LastCUE currently offers MP3 128 kbps, MP3 320 kbps, and WAV 16-bit PCM. All three presets produce 44.1 kHz stereo audio.
MP3 uses lossy encoding. WAV PCM is uncompressed, but LastCUE's WAV preset can still reduce a higher-resolution source to its 16-bit, 44.1 kHz output format.
What are the main differences?
| Output | Encoding and practical tradeoff |
|---|---|
| MP3 128 kbps | The smallest option. A lower bitrate gives the encoder less information to represent the audio. |
| MP3 320 kbps | Larger than MP3 128 but much smaller than uncompressed WAV. A practical option when storage size matters and the player supports the output. |
| WAV 16-bit PCM | No additional lossy audio encoding. Larger files; the output is 16-bit PCM at 44.1 kHz, rather than a copy of every source parameter. |
For a six-minute stereo track, approximate audio sizes are:
| Output | Approximate size |
|---|---|
| MP3 128 kbps | 5.8 MB |
| MP3 320 kbps | 14.4 MB |
| WAV 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo | 63.5 MB |
These estimates use decimal megabytes and exclude small variations from headers and metadata.
Which option should I start with?
For a compatible player and a high-quality source, MP3 320 is a useful starting point when you want to keep USB size manageable. It is also the current default MP3 bitrate in LastCUE.
Choose WAV when you want to avoid an additional lossy encode and have room for larger files. Use MP3 128 when reducing size is the priority, and listen to representative tracks before committing to that choice for a set.
There is no single best preset for every track and booth. Check the exact player's supported formats and parameters first.
Can converting a low-quality source to WAV improve it?
No. A larger file does not restore information already lost from the source. Converting a low-bitrate file to WAV or a higher-bitrate MP3 cannot recreate missing detail.
Where possible, use the original high-quality file and convert from it once. Keep that source so you can prepare a different output later without repeatedly encoding an already converted MP3.
Will the choice change how CUE data is handled?
The library-aware conversion workflow carries the available source analysis data for each preset. Choosing WAV does not recreate missing cue information, and choosing MP3 does not make the source preparation unnecessary.
Check the converted track's cue positions, loops, and grid on the target player, especially when precise first-beat timing matters.
Can I just rename FLAC to MP3 or WAV?
No. Renaming changes the filename, not the audio encoding. Use conversion to create the intended format, then verify the resulting file and its library references.