Windows 10, Audacity 2.1.1
I have a wav file that comes in as 22050 rate and 32 bit float sample format.
I will do the following and export to an entirely new wav:
- change rate to 44100
- Effect/Change Speed and apply 0.5 (brings the pitch back down to starting point)
- change the format to 16-bit PCM
- export to a new file using save as wav, 16-bit PCM
- close Audacity
Then, when I open the newly made .wav file, it shows a reversion to the original 22050 rate and 32 bit float sample format.
Any ideas on why the new file isn’t opening at 16 bit PCM format and 44100 rate?
I’ve also tried using the Tracks/Resample and resampling at 44100. The graphic of the sound appears to change slightly when I do this. But going through the same save procedure and reopening the uniquely named new file, the settings still show a rate of 22050.
Is there something that has to be done to “activate” Audacity for these functions to work?
Is there something in Windows 10 that prevents audio files from being edited?
Am I missing a step?
when I open the newly made .wav file
The newly made WAV with the old filename? Just want to get that clear.
Koz
When I export, I create a new name for the new file. I do not overwrite files. This was to help make sure that there was not some sort of file lock thwarting the save.
Start with CrowCaw.wav, which has 22050 and 32-bit float.
Modify CrowCaw to be 44100 and 16bit.
Export or Export Selected to a new file (unused) name such as CrowCaw2.wav, or CrowCaw_16Bit.wav, and select save as .wav 16 bit PCM.
Close the original file. Close Audacity.
Open the CrowCaw_16Bit.wav file. The settings shown on the left panel are 22050 and 32-bit float.
I downloaded Audacity 2.1.2 for Windows.
Now, there is a tool on the bottom of the screen (Selection Toolbar) with a control labeled “Project Rate(Hz)” and a drop down where I can select 44100. When I selected this, and exported, the reloaded file was 44100 (thank you!) but still marked as 32-bit float. Does Audacity just like to work with floats and convert all incoming to floats for working purposes?
What is the name of the area on the left of the track? When I hit the dropdown at its top (the dropdown holds the name of the file), the menu that appears has places to change rate and format, but these changes don’t seem to take, whereas the rate change to the Selection Toolbar does (when exporting). I’m curious what is going on here if you have any insights.
Please note that Audacity does not have Clip Info. If you want information on the file you have, you’ll need to do it somewhere else.
QuickTime will do this on Macs. I think you need an external program on Windows such as Media Info. There’s a trick to downloading it. I’m not a Windows elf.
http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download
Koz
It’s something like download the actual program and not the installer. The installer may come with adware.
Koz
Windows has information under Properties/Details, Audio/bit rate, where a rate of 705 kbps calculates out to 16bit/44100 fps.
I’m curious why a file with this property value opens marked as 32-bit float when it was saved as 16 bit PCM. Does Audacity convert incoming files to floats? That would make a certain amount of sense.
At least now, when I set the Selection Toolbar’s Project Rate to 44100, the exported wav has the right frame rate. I don’t understand why the Selection Toolbar’s Project Rate matters but the Project Rate attached to the file (on the left side) does not.
One of the constants is that Audacity does effects and filters at 32-floating in order to get around an effect that inadvertently causes the volume of the show to go above “0”. In 32-float, you just bring the volume back down with your choice of tools and no harm done. There is no over-volume damage or clipping.
The only real downside to that process is converting back to 16-bit (if you do convert). You are required to adapt to a lesser quality format and that’s where the dithering settings come in to keep errors from lining up and becoming audible.
Preferences > Quality.
Koz
44100 Hz or samples per second (sps). Not frames.
Selection Toolbar’s Project Rate manages the rate at which tracks are mixed or exported.
The rate shown in the Track Control Panel to left of the blue waves is the rate of the audio in that track. If you use the dropdown in the Track Control Panel to change rate from 22050 Hz to 44100 Hz this will change the rate of the track, but if you leave Project Rate at 22050 Hz then the track rate will be resampled to 22050 Hz when you export.
In any case using the dropdown to change rate is not what you want to do, because it will double the length of the audio and reduce its pitch. See http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/audio_track_dropdown_menu.html#Rate.
Gale