Free online MPC to AU converter

Source format: MPC

MPC is an audio file format associated with Musepack, a lossy compression codec designed for high-quality music storage at relatively small file sizes. It is used mainly by audio enthusiasts, archivists, and users who want efficient compression with good sound quality. MPC files are typically found in music collections and are less common than MP3 or AAC, but they are valued for their strong audio quality at moderate bitrates.

Target format: AU

AU is a simple audio container format originally developed for Unix systems. It is widely recognized by older Unix software, some audio editors, and certain embedded or legacy applications. AU files are straightforward and compatible, but they usually do not offer the compression efficiency or modern metadata support of newer formats. Their main advantage is broad support in classic audio tools and systems.

How to perform the conversion

The most reliable way to convert MPC to AU is with a desktop audio tool that supports both formats, such as FFmpeg or Audacity with the proper codec support.

Using FFmpeg

1. Install FFmpeg on your computer.
2. Open a terminal or command prompt.
3. Run a command like ffmpeg -i input.mpc output.au.
4. FFmpeg will decode the MPC audio and write it as an AU file.

If you need to control the audio codec inside the AU container, you can specify it explicitly, for example ffmpeg -i input.mpc -c:a pcm_s16be output.au. This is useful because AU commonly stores uncompressed PCM audio.

Using Audacity

1. Open the MPC file in Audacity if your installation supports it, or first convert it to a supported intermediate format.
2. Check the audio if needed.
3. Choose File → Export → Export Audio.
4. Select AU as the output format and save the file.

You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free, without installing any software.

Notes on quality, compatibility, and limitations

Because MPC is lossy, the conversion to AU cannot restore any audio detail that was already discarded during the original compression. The resulting AU file is usually much larger than the MPC source, especially if it contains uncompressed PCM audio.

Compatibility is generally good for AU in legacy and Unix-oriented tools, but support is not as universal as for WAV or MP3 in modern consumer software. If the goal is long-term portability, AU may be appropriate for specific workflows, but it is not usually the best choice for everyday music playback.

Metadata support is also limited in AU compared with modern formats, so tags such as artist, album, and cover art may not transfer reliably. If preserving metadata matters, verify the output in your target application after conversion.