Exporting as Wav Bit Rate Settings

Programming and Development Macros and Scripting
1

Using an audacity macro to batch convert my stems from stereo to mono.

In doing so, I also need to export the converted files in the macro.

My problem is, the macro “export to wav” only exports at 16-bit depth, and my original stems are at 24.

This drop in quality is a problem, can I set the macro differently, or is there any preference that will change this? I am on Mac OS.

2

With the current version of Audacity, “Export as WAV” uses the last used settings.
Before you run your Macro, generate or import a short audio track, and export as 24-bit WAV. Then “Undo” back to an empty project and run your script.

3

Is there a way to add this as a feature to a future version of Audacity?

I export as 32-bit float WAV until all edits are made. Then on my final export I use a macro to run several effects , such as Loudness Normalization, DC Removal, Clip Fix, and Limiter. I then have to go to “Export as Wav” and change it to “Signed 16-bit PCM” then export. Then before the first Export on a NEW project , I have to remember to be sure and reset the encoding back to 32-bit float WAV. I prefer not to save as an Audacity Project as I have had issues with files in the past.

It would make the work flow smoother and easier if the default would stay as one or the other (preferably 32-bit float) then have the macro change to the final desired encoding for the finished product.

Thanks for the consideration,
Wayne

Windows 10 Pro 1909
Audacity 2.4.2

4

It’s already logged on the Audacity issue tracker as something that we want.

5

Great. Thanks Steve

6

Sadly, the ‘Export as WAV’ macro still only exports to 16bit audio. Which makes it unusable for me as I am working with 24bit audio for music production.

Yes, I have tried exporting a file at 24 bit first with use of the export function in the file menu and THEN using the macro, but still 161bit only no matter what I have previously set the export bit depth at.

I am on macOS Sequoia 15.2

7

Anyone figure this out?

8

As you see below, you can select many variants of WAV in Audacity 3.6.4.

(And I think it is a very bad idea to hijack a 5 year old thread…!)

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9

How is it a bad idea to use an old thread if the problem still persists? Making a new thread about the problem only clutters a forum further?

Anyway, I appreciate your answer but it does not resolve the matter. I know what export options are available as I use them all the time. The problem however is when using the export function within a macro. In that case it only exports to 16bit for me no matter what export settings I had previously used fom the file menu.

10

Because it is probably not the same problem as 5 years ago - although you think you have the same problem:

  1. You use macOS Sequoia - this did not exist 5 years ago.
  2. The original author did not mention what version of macOS (s)he used. And I think I read something about Windows 10 Pro 1909 in a later comment?
  3. You did not mention what version of Audacity you use.
  4. The original author did not mention what version of Audacity (s)he used. “Audacity 2.4.2” mentioned in a later comment is not really “recent”.
  5. The original author mentions an (unknown) macro - sure you are using the same?

So you better start a new discussion and mentioning all information about what you have and how you use it.

11

Is starting a new thread really needed? The problem is exactly as OP was describing: