How to separate polywav file into different channels?

I have a classical concert recording that I made with my Zoom F6 using two microphones and unfortunately I chose Polywav as the format. It is 32 bit float and 48kHz.
I can’t work out how to separate it into individual channels so I can work on the left/right-panning of each channel to create the stereo sound I have in mind (right now it sounds awful, it really needs panning).
Is Audacity able to separate the channels into two different files and if so, how?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I have never heard of poly wav before and I’m intrigued. Here is what ChatGPT says in response to your question:
Audacity can convert poly WAV (polyphonic WAV) files into normal WAV (monophonic or stereo WAV) files. Here’s how you can do it:

Steps to Convert Poly WAV to Normal WAV in Audacity:

  1. Open Audacity on your computer.
  2. Import the poly WAV file:
  • Go to File > Import > Audio…
  • Select your poly WAV file and open it.
  1. Split the Tracks (if necessary):
  • If the poly WAV file contains multiple tracks, you may need to split them.
  • Click on the dropdown arrow next to the track name and choose Split Stereo to Mono (or similar options for multi-channel files).
  1. Export as a Normal WAV file:
  • Go to File > Export > Export as WAV.
  • Choose the appropriate bit depth (16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit float).
  • Save the file.

If you need to extract specific channels or rearrange them, you can use Audacity’s track selection and mixing tools before exporting.

Obviously, it’s AI so use your judgement.
Mark B

Looking at the Zoom F6 manual, a “Polywav” file is just a BWF file. The file may contain between 1 and 6 channels, depending on which channels were enabled when you recorded.

I’ve tested importing a BWF into Audacity and it imported as separate mono tracks, one for each channel. Perhaps you only recorded one channel?

It is possible to calculate the number of channels in a BWF file if you know:

  1. The sample rate (eg. 48000 Hz)
  2. The bit format (eg. 32-bit float)
  3. The duration (seconds)
  4. The file size (bytes)

Number of channels = file-size / (sample-rate x duration x (bit-format / 8))

Thank you so much – it worked as described by you!

I am delighted to hear that.
Mark B