I would like to batch convert .mp3 files using Audacity 2.3.0. All of my mp3 files are 256kb bitrate. I would like to batch convert to 160kb. I see so many options (change tempo, speed, etc.) when I create a MACRO for batch processing, but I see no option for changing bitrate. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
If you only want to change the MP3 encoding option, then there are better applications than Audacity. For example:
LameDropXPd http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lamedrop.php
Foobar2000 https://www.foobar2000.org/
You can do it in Audacity, though Audacity is not really designed for transcoding. What you need to do is:
- Export any old file with the MP3 settings that you want for the conversion (this is just a dummy run to set the defaults)
- Use the “MP3 Conversion” macro (or “Chain” if you are still using an old version of Audacity)
More info in the manual: https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/macros.html
Thank you for that reply! I had tried using the MP3 Conversion in both MACRO and Chain (older version) and I was expecting to see something that would allow me to change the bitrate before the conversion started. I didn’t realize that it will save them at the last bitrate that was used to export an audio file. Now I know that I have to change the bitrate BEFORE I use MP3 Conversion. Thanks again.