An M3U playlist is a text file that contains links to the locations of the actual audio files specified within the playlist file. It does not contain any audio itself. M3U files can be loaded into WinAmp (http://www.winamp.com)

In WavePad, M3U files can be loaded and created. To load, simply select Playlist File on the file browser filter and select the M3U file. Contents of the file can be loaded individually or as a single audio. To create a M3U file, open the Playlist dialog, select and order the files and then export your selection using the M3U extension.

M3U support also extends to streaming an audio file off an Internet server - it is currently limited in its other uses. When you save to an M3U file the following components are generated by WavePad:

To create your M3U playlist from scratch, you can use WavePad for both recording and editing. To upload your MP3 file to an Internet server, you can use the FTP feature of WavePad (assuming the server supports FTP). Go to File menu -> Send... and choose the FTP upload option. Both M3u and MP3 files must be uploaded if you want others to use your playlist. To test your playlist out, download the M3U file from the Internet server and then play it in WinAmp.

The settings dialog for the M3U Playlist is as follows:

Root URL

The URL where you will upload or store the audio file. This URL can have the following formats:

Absolute URLs
After creating an M3U file with an absolute URL, you can put the M3U file anywhere and play it as long as you can access the audio file via http or if its on your computer or LAN.
Standard http URL
e.g. http://www.music.com/
File URL on your local computer
e.g. C:\music\
Relative URLs
The M3U files must be put in specific locations relative to the audio file.
Relative to the root folder
e.g. if you specify "\music" and you play your M3U file from anywhere on your C:\ drive, it will look for the audio file in the path "C:\music"
Relative to the directory
e.g. if you specify "music" and you play your M3U file in the folder "C:\mp3s", it will look for the audio file in the path "C:\mp3s\music"

MP3 Settings

Click the "MP3 Settings" button to open the MP3 settings configuration where you can set the format for the MP3 recording (for more information see the MP3 Settings dialog).