Audacity won't import files

[homestar1996]

I downloaded audacity to edit some audio files I just created using an Olympus Digital voice recorder WS-100. At first the files wouldn't go on because they were the wrong type, so I put them on itunes, and they are all the right type now. But when I try and put them on the program a window comes up that says that audacity recognizes the file type and that the Importers supposedly supporting such files are: FFmpeg-compatible files, but none of them understood the file format. WHY??? I've been working on this project for a LONG TIME, and figured out a lot by myself, but I can't find the solution to this particular problem. The files all work on itunes, but won't transfer to audacity. Please help me out if you can.

[Gale Andrews]

I downloaded audacity to edit some audio files I just created using an Olympus Digital voice recorder WS-100. At first the files wouldn't go on because they were the wrong type, so I put them on itunes, and they are all the right type now. But when I try and put them on the program a window comes up that says that audacity recognizes the file type and that the Importers supposedly supporting such files are: FFmpeg-compatible files, but none of them understood the file format. WHY??? I've been working on this project for a LONG TIME, and figured out a lot by myself, but I can't find the solution to this particular problem. The files all work on itunes, but won't transfer to audacity. Please help me out if you can.

Please post to the correct Forum for your operating system and version of Audacity. Guessing you are on Windows, I've moved this to the Windows Beta forum.

What format are the Olympus files in? Assuming you are on Windows and the recorder files are WMA, then iTunes should convert them to MP3 automatically. If they are now MP3s, use File > Import > Audio and set the file type filter to "MP3 files". If you want to write the edited files to MP3, you will have to install LAME.

If the files are now in AAC format, you will need to install the FFmpeg library to import them into Audacity. If you are dragging in AAC files without having installed FFmpeg, you will see that error.

FFmpeg will also import WMA files, and if the Olympus files are actually some sort of compressed codec in a WAV container, FFmpeg should import those too. Just install FFmpeg then File > Import > Audio and choose the "FFmpeg-compatible files" type.



Gale

[homestar1996]

I downloaded the FFmpeg thing, but the same window comes up when I try and put the files on audacity....

[Gale Andrews]

I downloaded the FFmpeg thing, but the same window comes up when I try and put the files on audacity....

* What operating system are you on (for example, Windows 7)?

* What three-digit version number of Audacity are you using (see Help > about Audacity)? The current Beta is 1.3.12. Please upgrade if you are not using that version already.

* What format are the files in? To find out, right-click over then in iTunes > Get Info

* Have you clicked Edit > Preferences: Libraries and clicked "Locate" under "FFmpeg Import/Export Library"?

• If a "Success" message indicates Audacity has now automatically detected the library and asks if you want to detect them manually, click "No", then OK to close Preferences
• If the "Locate FFmpeg" dialog appears, click "Browse..."
• Navigate to "avformat-52.dll" in the folder you installed LAME for Audacity into
• Click "Open". A FFmpeg version number should appear in Preferences; click "OK", and "OK" again to close Preferences
• When you File > Import > Audio, choose "FFmpeg-compatible files" in the "files of type" dropdown

If the files still give an error after following all the above, please paste the contents of the Audacity Help > Audio Device Info into your message. Please also upload an example file to:
http://www.yousendit.com/
http://www.sendspace.com/

or similar and let us know the web address where we can download it.



Gale
Gale