Original File Size

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
1

Can anyone help here. I have an original WAV file which is of 2,723KB in size. When adjusting the volume to a lower level the file size increases to 5,440KB. The program I am using requires a maximum file size of 5,000KB and since it exceeds this size I am not able to use it.

When selecting there is an options selection for WAV file types that states ‘there is no options for this format. Your file with be exported as a 16 bit WAV file. If you need more control over the export format please use the “other uncompressed files” format’.

What is the “other uncompressed files” format?

Why does Audacity expand the file size? Is it just not adding compression to the exported edited file?

If so, can I add compression back to the file?

How can the file size be reduced without sacrificing the audio quality?

Are there any other solutions to reduce the audio level without increasing the file size?

I am using Audacity 2.0.5.

Thank you.

2

Presumably you have an 8-bit WAV, possibly U-Law or A-Law. So when you choose “Other uncompressed files” ( the first item in the list), click the “Options…” button then choose U-Law, A-Law or whatever encoding the file is. See http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/file_export_dialog.html and http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/wav_aiff_and_uncompressed_export_options.html .

If the file is actually 16-bit 22050 Hz, then if you export it at 44100 Hz that will double its size. Set the sample rate for the export at Project Rate bottom left of Audacity.

If you want to know what encoding and sample rate the original file is, try “MediaInfo” from http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download/Windows. Get the version without installer, because the installer may have malware or adware.


Gale