mp3 error

[mjbjer333]

I am attempting to open an mp3 file which was exported to mp3 from a "raw" audacity file on another computer. I run xubuntu gutsy gibbon. When I attempt to open the mp3 file from my thumbdrive, I get the error: can't open file /tmp/audacity1.2-myrical/b02297.au No such file or directory. There is not a b02297 file in the tmp/audacity1.2 directory. Clicking on Ok opens the file but it only 1/2 of the file is playable. I have uninstalled and reinstalled audacity, tried various files to no avail.

Any suggestions?

[steve]

There's often a lot of confusion between the difference between "Save" and "Export" in Audacity.

"Save" will save a project - this consists of a ".aux" file and a data folder containing a load of ".au" files. NONE of this is ordinary audio, it is just the data format that Audacity uses for storing projects, but these files will not play back correctly in any other player.

If you want standard audio (".wav", ".aiff" ".mp3" or other supported format) you must use the "Export" function from the file menu.

I think of it like PhotoShop - the native format for Photoshop is ".psd", but if I try and put this "picture" in an e-mail, it doesn't show up. To make a picture that will show up in an e-mail, I need to "Export" as a ".Gif" or a ".JPG"

[mjbjer333]

OK - that helps my understanding. Please bear with me, though. The file I am trying to open is an mp3 file. It is not the .aux file from audacity. However, I still receive the error about the .au file. I have used audacity for awhile with these mp3 files with no problem. It is just recently that I have had this difficulty. The problem seems to be with the au files in the tmp folder. Are these temporary files that audacity makes when it opens a regular mp3 file? If so, how can I get around it? Ultimately, I need to be able to edit the mp3 file.

Thank you for your help.

[steve]

When Audacity is closed, you may safely delete the temp folder (it should be empty anyway). Audacity will re-create an empty temp folder when you restart the program. Old orphaned temp files can cause some strange problems, so it may be worth trying this to see if it fixes the problem.

Does the mp3 file play in any other audio program? (your usual audio player?)

[mjbjer333]

Yes, the file opens in xfmedia. I deleted the tmp files, but still received the error. Any other suggestions?

[steve]

I think I'll need to see the mp3 in question - can you upload it somewhere?

[mjbjer333]

I discovered it was a space issue with the tmp directory. I corrected that problem and it is working wonderfully. Thank you for all your help.

[steve]

Great stuff, and thanks for posting how you fixed it - it can be a big help for anyone else with the same problem.