Output formats and quality
Last updated: 18 August 2026
What it does
StreamTap writes either WAV (uncompressed, exactly what was captured) or MP3 (compressed via LAME, at a bitrate you choose). Pick the format before you press RECORD — it can't be changed mid-recording.
How to use it
Choose from the Format dropdown. When MP3 is selected, a Bitrate dropdown appears with 128, 192, 256 and 320 kbps.
| Choice | Roughly per hour | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| WAV | ~1.3 GB | Editing, archiving, anything you'll re-encode later |
| MP3 320 kbps | ~140 MB | Music you want to keep |
| MP3 192 kbps (default) | ~85 MB | General use, calls and streams |
| MP3 128 kbps | ~55 MB | Speech-only, long meetings |
If you're going to edit the recording afterwards, record WAV. Every MP3 re-encode loses a little more quality, so don't compress twice if you can avoid it.
Troubleshooting
- MP3 takes a while to appear. Encoding happens when you press STOP, not during the recording. The status bar shows "Saving..." until it's finished — a long recording can take a few seconds.
- File is bigger than you expected. WAV size depends on your device's sample rate and channel count, which StreamTap matches rather than downsampling.
Related
Still stuck? In the app, use Help → Contact support, or open a ticket here.