Imported audio files are highly compressed

[Schoenberg]

Sorry if this is a double post, I searched for the topic but couldn't find it.

My problem is this: When I import an audio file to edit, it appears but is compressed into under a second. In other words, I hit play and it plays the track at about 10x or faster speed, and the time frame is, depending on the normal length of the MP3 file, under 1 second. I couldn't figure out how to undo this and it happens to every type of audio file I try importing. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[kozikowski]

Most people complain about importing MP3s. They're not MP3s. Audacity knows about those. You have a highly compressed audio file that Audacity has no idea how to manage, but it tries anyway.

The difference between the expected show duration and what actually arrives is the compression ratio.

So you need to convert the mystery file to WAV (or MP3, although we urge not editing in MP3) and then import or open that.

I don't have utilities at the tips of my fingers, but the Windows helpers do. Or search the forum or Google your brains out.

Koz

[steve]

SUPER by erightsoft is a free audio converter that supports a huge range of audio formats and allows you to convert them to WAV format. Also, FooBar2000 is an excellent free audio player that can convert file formats.