Sample format and rate

[eddiejoepopcorn]

I have just returned to a recording project after a long absence, and am trying to resurrect my memory of exactly what I was doing before. The only problem I have with this is trying to determine the sample format and rate of the wav files that I exported earlier. Ideally, this information would be stored in the files, but I am not sure of this, or how to determine it. I recall recording at 32-bit float and 44100 Hz, but I may have switched to 16-bit at some point. From what I can determine, Audacity displays the current project rate as set in Preferences, but picks up the sample format from the file, when I open a wav file. I am not sure how this works, and I need to be able to determine these values before I proceed to make new recordings, or convert some of the files to different settings.

Here's a side issue that pertains to sampling: some friends tell me that they are storing their files in MP3 format, to save space. I don't trust this format, since the recordings I am making will be for archiving purposes, and I want to preserve the integrity of the music. Any opinions on the quality of MP3?

[kozikowski]

Control click on one of the songs. Open-With > QuickTime Player. Play the song to make sure it's OK. Command-I for INFO panel.

Everything you have ever wanted to know.

Koz

[kozikowski]

MP3 is a one-time delivery format. It creates damage and you can minimize it, but not stop it. If you open an MP3 for production and then save it again, the damage doubles.

Archives and audio production should always be in WAV (or AIFF, etc.) High Quality, Uncompressed formats.

Koz

[eddiejoepopcorn]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[eddiejoepopcorn]

Command-I also works in iTunes!