Hi;
I am working with .wav (32-bit float) files in Audacity. I noticed that after I apply hard limiting, then save the file again in same format, the file size (Windows 7) just about doubles. Is this normal in order to keep the file lossless?
32-bit float WAV is an unusual format. Are you sure that your original files are 32-bit float?
Audacity converts most file types to 32-bit float on import, which is great while editing / processing, but rather OTT for the final export (and may not play in some applications). I’d recommend exporting as 16-bit WAV unless you have a compelling reason not to.
No, the files are 16 bit as ripped from the CD’s. I used 32 bit float only because I wasn’t thinking. I had been working with mp3 files, then decided to re-rip my cd’s so I would have the original uncompressed file to work with. I guess I went a bit overboard going from mp3 to 32 bit. The 16 bit windows pcm is fine for everything I am doing.