This is an overview of how to use Switch to convert your files from one format to another.

Adding and Removing Files

To convert your audio files into the desired format, begin by adding files into the file list window. Either click the "Add" button, or select File -> Add from the menu. In the browse window that opens, you can look for files of types mentioned on this page: http://www.nch.com.au/switch/kb/1405.html.

Once your files have been added, if you wish to remove any of them, select the files and either click the "Remove" button, or select File -> Remove from the menu. To select multiple files at once, press the Ctrl key and left-click on the files you want to select. To highlight all the files, either select File -> Select All from the menu, or press Ctrl + A.

Playing Files

To play a file, double click it or left-click on the desired file and either click the "Play" button, or select File -> Play from the menu.

Selecting an Output Folder

Near the bottom of the main window, there is a field labeled "Save to Folder", where you can enter the file directory into which you wish to store the converted files. You can either type in the desired folder, or you can click the browse button on the right of the field. Doing so will bring up a window where you can browse for the destination directory on your hard drive. The last several directories you have chosen in the past are stored in a drop-down list, and can be accessed by clicking the arrow on the right side of the text field.

Selecting an Output Format and Configuring Encoder Options

The field labeled "Output Format" is where you can select the desired output file format for your files. Switch currently supports conversion to the file formats mentioned on this page: http://www.nch.com.au/switch/kb/1405.html

Once you have selected a format to convert to, you can click the "Encoder Options" button to configure the settings for the format (see Encoder Options for more information on configuring options for any file format).

Converting Files

Once you have set the output folder and format, you can then select the files from the list you want to convert, and either click the "Convert" button, or select Convert -> Convert Files from the menu. If you hit the convert button without any files selected, all files in the list will be converted by default.

View Internal File Information

For those who are interested in the attributes or internal information of wave and mp3 files, Switch now has a feature that lets you access that information. For any wave, mp3 or dct file loaded into Switch, right-click on the file and select 'View Internal File Information' from the right-click menu.

View Extended Information

If you attempt to convert a file and something goes wrong with the conversion process, a short message will be displayed in the 'Extended Information' column in the Switch main window. This message gives a brief summary of the specifics of the problem. If you wish to see a more detailed version of that message, right-click the file you attempted to convert and select 'View Extended Information'. You will see a pop-up window appearing that contains the more detailed message.