What is an MP1 file?
MP1 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer I. It was created by the Moving Picture Experts Group and first released in 1993. Layer I is the simplest of the three MPEG-1 audio layers, easy to encode but needing more bitrate than MP2 or MP3 for the same sound. Philips used a version of it on the Digital Compact Cassette, and few programs write it today.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | MPEG-1 Layer I audio, typically 192 to 448 kbps |
| In a browser | does not play in most browsers; VLC, foobar2000 and players built on ffmpeg play it |
| Common uses | Digital Compact Cassette recordings, early digital audio systems and test files |
| MIME type | audio/mpeg |
How to open an MP1 file
Whether an MP1 file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any audio file, MP1 included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | MP1 does not play in most browsers; VLC, foobar2000 and players built on ffmpeg play it. |
MP1 compared with other audio formats
How MP1 stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP1 | Lossy | MPEG-1 Layer I audio, typically 192 to 448 kbps | 1993 | Digital Compact Cassette recordings, early digital audio systems and test files |
| MP3 | Lossy | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps | 1993 | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| WAV | Lossless | uncompressed PCM, usually 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz | 1991 | recording, editing, sound effects and CD audio |
| M4A | Either | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files | 2001 | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
How to use the MP1 converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your MP1 files on the box, or press Choose MP1 files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting MP1 files without losing quality
MP1 is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- Keep a lossless master. If you have WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC, keep it, and make lossy copies such as MP3 or AAC from it when you need them.
- Avoid converting one lossy format into another more than once. Each MP3, AAC or OGG encode throws away a little more, and the losses add up.
- Match the bitrate to the content: 192 kbps and up for music, 96 to 128 kbps for podcasts, 64 kbps for voice notes.
- Stick to 44.1 kHz for music and 48 kHz for audio that goes with video; resampling between them is harmless but pointless.
Convert MP1 files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common MP1 conversion, to MP2, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.mp1 -vn -c:a mp2 -b:a 192k output.mp2Change the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
MP1 converter FAQ
What is an MP1 file?
MP1 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer I, an audio format created by the Moving Picture Experts Group in 1993. Layer I is the simplest of the three MPEG-1 audio layers, easy to encode but needing more bitrate than MP2 or MP3 for the same sound. Philips used a version of it on the Digital Compact Cassette, and few programs write it today.
How do I open an MP1 file?
MP1 does not play in most browsers; VLC, foobar2000 and players built on ffmpeg play it. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common MP1 conversion?
MP1 to MP2 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MPEG Layer II at 192 kbps.
Does converting MP1 files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your MP1 files never leave your device.
Is the MP1 converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many MP1 files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert MP1 files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your MP1 files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several MP1 files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.