file format confusion

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new Aud user
Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 4:18 am
Operating System: macOS 10.15 Catalina or later

file format confusion

Post by new Aud user » Thu Jul 19, 2018 4:33 pm

In Audacity v.2.2.2, I created a new .aup project, imported an MPEG-1 Layer 3 file and edited it. I now want to export the file so I can add it to my iTunes library. If I export it as an MP3 file will I lose any data? If that is a reasonable way to export the file, which Channel Mode should I select: Joint Stereo or Stereo? Thank you.
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kozikowski
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Posts: 69369
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: file format confusion

Post by kozikowski » Thu Jul 19, 2018 6:04 pm

MPEG-1 Layer 3
That's the full family name of MP3. Its daddy was a video.
If I export it as an MP3 file will I lose any data?
Yes. MP3 production always loses quality which is why it's recommended that you not do production in MP3.

However, if you pick a very high quality MP3 export, such as 256 or 320 you will probably not be able to tell what you did. Of course, the file size is going to go up.
which Channel Mode should I select: Joint Stereo or Stereo?
Does it have two blue waves? I don't think it makes a lot of difference, just the efficiency of the file goes up and down slightly. If it's mono, I think Joint Stereo is good. I think that's the one that automatically knows not to try and force stereo.

Koz
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