adjusting quality of recorded track
Hey,
I have recorded a track at one bit rate, but my client wants to lower the quality of the recording to make the file size smaller. Is there a way to do this to an already recorded track within n-track? I’m trying to avoid re-recording if possible.
Thanks for any help here.
You can use the menu option:
File - Convert .wav file - Change Sampling Frequency
It would probably be better to convert the mixdown to a compressed format like MP3, or Monkey’s Audio (APE) for lossless format.
Why does the file need to be smaller? The reason affects the method one might use. For example, if it’s for game software, you’d probably want to use a lower sample rate and/or bit depth. If it’s for a web page, you’d want to use MP3. If it’s just to get the file to him conveniently, you’d want to use APE.
Thanks for you answers. That helps a lot. The client wishes to use the track on his website. I think that he just wants a smaller size and is willing to sacrifice quality for it. Again, thanks for your answers.
what are you using to create the compressed audio file?
if you want to compress an audio file to a low(er) bitrate (mp3, etc)… remember to re-compress using the ORIGINAL WAV FILE as your source (or do it during mixdown in n-Track). do NOT take a high bitrate mp3 and re-encode it to a lower bitrate unless you do not have the original WAV source.
Right. MP3 is best for posting audio on web pages, because it’s universally accepted and recognized by browsers and servers. With any other format, more users will have trouble. It’s not the best audio quality but it works.
The best bet is to first mix down to 16 bits in n-Track. Then use dBPowerAmp Music Converter to convert it to MP3. Be sure to use the Lame encoder. n-Track will convert to MP3, but it uses the Blade encoder, which was optimized for high bit rates like 256k and above. The Blade encoder produces much better results at lower bit rates like 64k.
At 128k stereo, only folks who really pay attention can tell it from CD quality. Takes dialup users about 15 minutes to download, though – more time than most users will bother.
At 64k stereo, typical songs are about 1.5 MB. Stereo imagery is dubious, sound quality is fair, but you can still get an idea of the stereo image the engineer created, and a good song still sounds like a good song. Dial-up users have to wait a bit (7 minute download time), but if they’re streaming it should start within 4 minutes – not too long to wait for patient folks.
At 32k, it’s probably best to go mono. Most dialup users can stream the audio without waiting more than a few seconds.