Sometimes there may arise a need to transcode a file to another format, for example if you have a device or system in your hands that does for some reason read or understand certain types of files. In order to do achieve a simple transcoding with the sound file do the following:

ffmpeg -i path_and a_full_name_of_the_sound_file path_and_full_name_of_the_ resulting_sound_file.mp3

Remember to place the ending you need (in the example mp3) to the resulting file so the file will actually get transcoded. With the abobe procedure you might experience fairly good results but some loose of quality might also happen. When transcoding files with Ffmpeg the general rule is not to try it with low quality sound files because then the result may be anything but quality.

Note. Some distributions ship with Ffmpeg which might not be able to transcode files with the procedure described above. If the previous is the case then compile Ffmpeg from the source by following the instructions found here: http://www.techtimejourney.net/?p=88