Exporting to aLAW / uLAW results in 16-bit format [SOLVED]

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
1

I have a sample file that I want to export into the RFC 3551 specification aLAW and uLAW which should result in a 8-bit audio file, but all exports appear to end up in 16-bit.
Can audacity not export into the classic aLAW and/or uLAW 8-bit format?

Paul

2

Yes it can. You need to select “other uncompressed formats” in the export dialog, then click on the “Options” button to select the format options.
See: Audacity Manual
and: Audacity Manual

The sample rate for the exported file is taken from the “Project Rate” (lower left corner of the main Audacity interface), so check that is set to what you want before you export.

3

I have seen these HTML files and use Audacity quite often, so I am familar with the options.

I have the project rate set to: 8000Hz, and I do select “Other Uncompressed files” and select WAV (Microsoft), and the U-Law or A-Law option. Anytime I export, it shows up in 16-bit when I load it into VLC player.

I am doing everything correctly…

paul

4

It sounds to me that you are.
Perhaps VLC is not showing the actual format.
I use “MediaInfo” to show the format of audio files. It is free and works great, but I’d recommend using the Zip version (not the “exe” installer version) because the installer is reported to install “bundleware” (that may include adware or other undesirables) MediaInfo

5

Hi Steve,

You nailed it…MediaInfo displayed the exported format correctly. Not sure why VLC would be showing it incorrectly.

thanks
Paul