When I open or import a wav file (24bit 96k in this case), Audacity has a default format of 32-bit float. How do I change that default so that after the file has been loaded, it’s already at 24-bit PCM? For my purposes, I do not want my PCM data to be converted between PCM and Float at all. AT ALL. Do I have to hunt down a switch in the registry? Something like this SHOULD be an item that can be set in preferences. If I’ve missed it, someone please inform me. There ARE times, I would be happy with 32-bit Float. But much of the time, I do not want my data converted to 32-bit Float. In any case, I SHOULD be able to control what the default format is when opening or importing a file.
It’s complicated: Importing Audio - Audacity Manual
NB: if you have a 24-bit track, every time you apply an effect, it’ll get converted to 32 bit, then the effect is applied, then it converts back to 24 bit.
There are solid reasons for processing in floating-point and the conversion to floating-point and back is mathematically lossless. (1) Almost all audio processing software works this way.
You can export as 24-bit (or any other format).
You can change the Audio Settings to 24-bit but I’m almost certain that any effects will be done by temporarily converting to floating-point.
(1) If you want to remain “bit perfect” you have to turn-off dither.
Float is also PCM. 
But the samples are stored in a more precise format with a MUCH bigger numerical range.
Thanks. I realize “effects” might use float, but what if I’m doing a ton of stuff WITHOUT effects? Like chopping albums into individual songs? I don’t want 32-bit float involved at all. (And it should be faster, too.) Setting “audio settings” doesn’t affect the “open”/“import”. It ALWAYS loads it to 32-bit Float. IS there a registry setting for the default format so it will “wake up” on import to 24-bit PCM? (It would be better to have the default as a switch in Preferences, but lacking that, I’d be happy with changing it in the Registry.)
There is a 24-bit preference setting. Check the link I gave you. But I’m not sure exactly what that setting does. You can try to see if it’s faster.
I’m not aware of any audio editor that works in integer format. MAYBE SoX
No, that affects recording, but not the format of a file imported or opened. This and numerous other items “wake up” to values that we would like to see wake up with different values. I’m very surprised that at this late stage, that more of them are not configurable in Preferences.
If all you want to do is chop up audio and resave it, try running the old SndRec32.exe program on your Windows computer. If you have a fairly new system, it may not be there.
This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.