GSM to WVE Converter

Re-encode GSM telephony speech to Psion WVE audio online

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Psion Device Audio

Transform GSM telephony recordings into WVE — the 8-bit A-law format native to Psion handheld PDAs for voice playback.

Any Browser

Run the GSM to WVE conversion from any modern browser on any platform. No Psion software installation needed.

Private Handling

GSM uploads are erased immediately after processing. WVE files are purged from servers within 24 hours.

How to convert GSM to WVE

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose wve or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your wve file right afterwards

About formats

GSM 06.10 (Full Rate) is the foundational speech codec of the Global System for Mobile Communications standard, ratified by ETSI in 1991 and deployed across hundreds of cellular networks worldwide. Operating at a fixed 13 kbit/s, the algorithm applies Regular Pulse Excitation with Long-Term Prediction (RPE-LTP) to compress 20 ms frames of 8 kHz mono speech into just 33 bytes each. This approach models the vocal tract as a linear predictive filter, encodes the excitation signal, and leverages pitch periodicity for further reduction — tuned to deliver intelligible voice under the bandwidth constraints of early digital mobile channels. The codec powers not only GSM telephony but also many VoIP applications, voicemail systems, and IVR platforms that benefit from its low bitrate. Three concrete advantages stand out. First, extraordinary compression: one minute of speech fits in roughly 100 KB, enabling efficient storage and transmission. Second, universal tooling — libraries such as libgsm and SoX handle encoding and decoding on every major platform. Third, a royalty-free patent landscape that has encouraged adoption across open-source telephony projects like Asterisk and FreeSWITCH.
Initial release: 1991
WVE is the audio format native to the Psion Series 3 family of personal digital assistants, released by British company Psion PLC beginning in September 1991. These clamshell PDAs included a built-in voice recorder, and all dictation functionality relied on WVE files to store captured sound. Each file begins with the ASCII signature "ALawSoundFile**" followed by a minimal header, then raw A-law encoded audio sampled at 8 kHz — a rate inherited from digital telephony standards. At 8000 bytes per second, a one-minute recording occupies just 480 KB, which was essential given that Psion devices stored data on SRAM cards typically ranging from 128 KB to 2 MB. The A-law encoding provides reasonable speech clarity within these tight storage constraints, prioritizing intelligibility over high-fidelity reproduction. WVE files can be converted to WAV or other modern formats using SoX, Awave Studio, or specialized Psion file utilities. While the format is firmly a product of early-1990s handheld computing, it holds historical significance as one of the first audio recording formats designed for pocket-sized consumer devices. Collectors and researchers studying mobile computing history occasionally encounter WVE files when recovering data from legacy SRAM media.
Developer: Psion PLC
Initial release: 1991

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WVE?

WVE is a Psion 8-bit A-law audio format used by Psion handheld PDAs for voice memos, dictation, and basic audio recording.

Why convert GSM to WVE?

WVE is needed for compatibility with Psion PDA audio applications or for archiving recordings in the Psion native format.

What opens WVE files?

Psion device software and SoX can handle WVE files. Some vintage PDA emulators may also support WVE playback.

Is WVE a high-quality format?

WVE uses 8-bit A-law encoding — basic telephony quality. It matches well with GSM source material, which is also speech-grade.

Is the conversion secure?

GSM uploads are deleted after conversion. WVE results are removed from our servers within 24 hours.