Why is it hard to send large audio files by email or chat?
Do not send a master as an email attachment. One minute of 24-bit, 48 kHz stereo WAV audio is about 17 MB. Gmail and Outlook’s 20–25 MB limits are reached within the first minute or two. At 96 kHz or with multiple tracks, file sizes reach gigabytes.
Converting to MP3 reduces file size and removes detail from the recording. It can serve as a listening copy for approval. It is not a master delivery format. WhatsApp compresses audio. SoundCloud and similar services let people listen. They do not deliver the working file.
The file the recipient opens in their recording software should be the file you uploaded.
| Method | What happens | Suitable for masters? |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail or Outlook attachment | Attachments over 20–25 MB do not send | No |
| WhatsApp / voice message | Compresses or cuts the audio | No |
| Conversion to MP3 or AAC | Reduces file size and removes recording detail | For listening only |
| SoundCloud or similar services | Allows listening but does not provide the source file | No |
| Shared drive | Can store the file, but may require the recipient to have an account | Use with care |
| SendGB link | WAV, FLAC, and folders download unchanged | Yes, for delivery |
The example above includes a track’s master, separate recordings, and a listening copy. The audio stems guide covers sending a complete stem folder. For podcast episodes, cover art, and notes, see the podcast files guide.
A listening copy is not a master
If the client only needs to listen, a 320 kbps MP3 is enough and may even fit in an email. For mastering or mixing, send WAV or FLAC. You can include both in the same transfer. The limit applies to total size, not file count.
| Listening copy | Master | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Approval and preview | Mixing, mastering, archiving |
| Typical file | MP3, AAC | WAV, AIFF, FLAC |
| Size | Tens of MB per track | Hundreds of MB per track |
| 5 GB | Fits a long album | Fits a few long tracks; a session may not fit |
| Compression | Already a compressed copy | SendGB does not compress it again |
Do not substitute an MP3 for the master. If the recipient masters the compressed copy, the result will not match the studio recording.
Which audio files should I send together?
We have no file type restrictions. What matters is keeping the master with its notes and listening copy.
| Content | File | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo master | .wav or .aiff | Listening MP3 and lyric notes |
| Lossless archive | .flac | Cover art and information in the same folder |
| Separate recordings | One .wav per track | The entire folder, not just one track |
| Session notes | .txt or PDF | A description of each file |
| Reference video | .mp4 | In the same transfer as the audio; also see the video files guide |
You do not need a ZIP file. Adding the folder directly preserves its structure. If you create a ZIP file, we do not extract it.
How much audio fits in 5 GB?
We do not guarantee a specific duration. The limit applies to total size. One minute of 24-bit, 48 kHz stereo WAV audio is about 17 MB. At that rate, 5 GB is roughly 5 hours. At 96 kHz, the duration is about half that. For a ten-track recording, 5 GB holds much less recording time.
| What you are sending | Typical size | Which option is enough? |
|---|---|---|
| One track as an MP3 | Tens of MB | Free, no sign-up, up to 90 days |
| WAV masters for a few songs | Often under 5 GB | Free |
| A long 24/96 album | A few GB; may exceed the limit | Free if it fits; otherwise SendGB Extra |
| A full day of multitrack recording | Tens of GB | SendGB Extra, 500 GB per transfer |
| An archive over 500 GB | One-time transfer | SendGB Exceed, up to 1 TB |
SendGB Extra starts at €29.90 per year. It includes 1 TB of storage. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year. It suits studios that frequently send masters and sessions.
SendGB Exceed does not require a subscription. A 1 TB transfer costs €9.99. The code can be used once and is valid for 1 year. The link stays available for 7 days. It is enough for an occasional very large archive.
How to send
- 1
Add your audio folder
Add the folder to the upload box on the homepage, not just one track. The master, listening copy, and notes go in the same transfer. The free limit is 5 GB total.
- 2
Send the link
Email the link to the studio or client, or copy and paste it into a message. Add a password if you want. Send the password separately from the link.
- 3
The recipient downloads the files
The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an account. Downloading the entire transfer preserves the folder structure. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year.
What happens to your file?
- WAV, AIFF, and FLAC files download exactly as uploaded. Sample rate and bit depth do not change.
- MP3 and AAC are also accepted. These are already compressed listening copies. We do not compress them again.
- Adding a folder preserves its structure. The recipient downloads everything together.
- If you add a password, anyone with the link must know the password to download.
What we don’t do
- We do not convert audio to MP3 or any other format. We do not mix it, either.
- WAV, MP3, FLAC, M4A, and AAC files can be played on the download page. Do not expect playback for multitrack sessions or AIFF files.
- There is no Gmail or Outlook add-on. You paste the link yourself.
- The free 5 GB limit is enough for a short master. A full day of multitrack recording often needs SendGB Extra.
Frequently asked questions
Are audio files converted to MP3 when I send them?
No. SendGB does not re-encode your file. A 24-bit, 96 kHz WAV downloads unchanged. FLAC is not converted to a compressed listening copy. If you upload an MP3, it downloads unchanged too. We do not compress it again.
Can I send WAV, AIFF, and FLAC files?
Yes. WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AAC, M4A, and OGG all transfer the same way. They are not converted to another format.
How much audio can I send for free?
The limit is 5 GB total, not a duration. One minute of 24-bit, 48 kHz stereo WAV audio is about 17 MB. At that rate, 5 GB is roughly 5 hours. At 96 kHz, the duration is about half that. Multitrack recordings reach the size limit sooner. FLAC files are smaller; the compression ratio varies by track. We do not guarantee a specific duration.
How do I get around Gmail’s 25 MB attachment limit?
Do not attach the WAV to an email. It reaches the 25 MB limit in less than a minute and a half. Create a transfer and paste the short link into Gmail. The email goes through even if the file is 5 GB.
Can I send a master through WhatsApp or a voice message?
No. WhatsApp compresses audio and video. Do not attach the file to the chat. Paste the download link into the message. The recipient downloads the original file from the link.
Can the recipient listen before downloading?
WAV, MP3, FLAC, M4A, and AAC files can be opened and played on the download page. Do not expect playback for multitrack sessions or AIFF files. This page is not studio software. Its main purpose is file downloads.
Does the recipient need an account or recording software?
The recipient downloads from the link and does not create a SendGB account. They need their own software to open the master. We do not provide Logic, Cubase, or Pro Tools.
Can I include a stem folder in the same transfer?
Yes. If vocals, instruments, and effects are separate files, add the entire folder. See the [audio stems guide](/send-large-files/send-audio-stems) for details. For episodes, cover art, and show notes, see the [podcast files guide](/send-large-files/share-podcast-files).
Do I need a ZIP file, and will the folder structure stay intact?
You do not need a ZIP file. Add the folder directly. Its structure stays intact when the recipient downloads the entire transfer. If you create a ZIP file, we do not extract it.
Will an album or a full day of recording fit within 5 GB?
Masters for a few songs often fit. A full day of multitrack recording or a stem folder often needs SendGB Extra: 500 GB per transfer, 1 TB of storage, starting at €29.90 per year, with files kept for up to 1 year. For a single archive over 500 GB, SendGB Exceed is enough: no subscription, €9.99 for a 1 TB transfer, and a code that can be used once and is valid for 1 year. The link stays available for 7 days. You can add a password. Send the password separately from the link.
Send a download link, not an audio attachment in chat
A short mix may fit within 5 GB. Send albums and sessions up to 500 GB with SendGB Extra, or up to 1 TB in a single transfer with SendGB Exceed.
Start sending