HCOM to GZ Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
Sound Tools HCOM and Gzip Compressed File exist for different jobs: HCOM is the Sound Tools compressor format from the late 1980s Mac — FIR-decimated delta-modulation samples that almost nothing modern reads. Unpack a .gz into a normal file or repack it as ZIP/TAR when the receiving tool does not understand gzip.
This converter runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly — your files never leave your device, nothing is uploaded, and there are no watermarks, sign-ups or queues. Drop in several files at once to convert them as a batch.
How to convert HCOM to GZ
- 1
Select your files
Select your HCOM file.
- 2
Convert instantly
The file bytes are gzip-compressed in place — the same archive your server or build tool produces, made locally.
- 3
Download results
Download the .gz file — ready to upload, serve or attach.
About the HCOM format
HCOM is the Sound Tools compressor format from the late 1980s Mac — FIR-decimated delta-modulation samples that almost nothing modern reads.
ffmpeg decodes it natively inside your browser — the audio track is re-encoded to your chosen format with nothing ever uploaded.
+Strengths
- ✓Decoded natively by ffmpeg
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser
- ✓Free, private, no watermarks
!Limitations
- −Legacy niche format
- −Modern tools rarely open it
- −Keep the original for archival round-trips
About the GZ format
A .gz file is one file squeezed by gzip — not an archive. kernel.org tarballs are “tar inside gz”, but plenty of logs, JSON dumps and CSV exports travel as plain .gz. Opening one means decompressing it back to the original bytes.
Repacking into ZIP or TAR gives the decompressed file a container that every GUI tool opens without a second thought.
+Strengths
- ✓Everywhere on Linux and macOS
- ✓Fast, well-understood compression
- ✓Streams natively from any tool
!Limitations
- −Single file only — no directory tree
- −No encryption or integrity metadata
Why convert HCOM to GZ?
Think of it as moving your file to the container that fits the job. Legacy niche format GZ works differently: Everywhere on Linux and macOS If any of that sounds like your task, run the conversion — it takes seconds and nothing leaves your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this HCOM to GZ converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Is there a file size limit for HCOM to GZ?
The only limit is your device's memory, since nothing is uploaded. Files up to a few hundred megabytes work fine on a modern desktop browser; very large files simply take a little longer.
What about folders and directory structure?
The full directory tree is preserved: folders stay folders, and deep paths arrive exactly as they were packed in the HCOM file.
Are the files inside my HCOM archive modified?
No. Contents are unpacked in memory and repacked into GZ byte-for-byte — the conversion changes the container, never the files inside it.