Convert mono mp3 to stereo without re-encoding

[WarrenTR]

Hello,
Does anyone know a way to convert mono mp3s to stereo without re-encoding? Like just duplicating the existing channel so it will have the same volume from both speakers? I do not need to do any fancy "simulated stereo". I really want to avoid having to re-encode because my mp3s are of very low quality to begin with. Thanks for the time.

[kozikowski]

Audacity re-encodes everything, so that let's us out right away. Your only hope is one of the many fine MP3 cutter programs out there.

I'm betting you can't get there from here. It's one thing to whack off three minutes from the end of an hour show and not have to re-encode what's left. It's quite another to completely change the presentation character of the show. MP3 uses the presence of two tracks to aid in compression.

Write if you find out how.

Koz

[WarrenTR]

Ok so now I just confused myself. I loaded a mono mp3 into Audacity, it says Mono, 44100Hz on the top left, and yet both channels play (both green bars are moving).

Is this normal behavior for mono files? Perhaps most modern players just play the one channel on both output channels?

Anyway, I guess I will leave well enough alone.

[kozikowski]

<<<Is this normal behavior for mono files? >>>

I was going to ask you why you found it necessary to convert to stereo. Most players just play mono out both channels.

Koz