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Import MP3, Export MP3, smaller file?
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:53 am
by davidpmontes
If I import an MP3 and then Export the MP3, the file size is a few kilobytes smaller. I assume this means there is a loss in quality by simply importing and exporting. Is this negligible? Is there a way to avoid this by changing a preference and bumping up the quality? Thanks
Re: Import MP3, Export MP3, smaller file?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:12 pm
by steve
MP3 format always reduces the quality because it is a "lossy" form of compression. The only way to avoid it is to use uncompressed formats (WAV) or lossless compression (FLAC). Both of these formats will be MUCH bigger file size than MP3.
loss through MP3 compression is cumulative. Audacity can only work with uncompressed audio and each time you open an MP3 and re-encode it as MP3 when you export, the loss of sound quality gets worse.
Simple editing of MP3 files (such as splitting and trimming) can be done without re-encoding by using the free program "MP3Split".