File format/size

[Laura C]

I finally mixed my first song on my new MR8 last night. After making final adjustments I saved the file as a stereo wave file. It was only when I tried to upload it that I realized the size of the file -- 30 MB!

Some obvious (yet necessary) questions:

Is MP3 a compressed format? How do I save my files as MP3s?

If I want to send files over the Internet but want to keep them high quality, how should I save the files after I've mixed them? Will I save them differently if I want to press them onto a CD?

Thanks.

[Ed Dixon]

You always mix to a pure WAV file, which are large. If you want to send to someone, or post somewhere on web, converting to an MP3 gets about a 10 to 1 reduction in size with little change in audio quality.

There are lots of tools for doing conversions. I use a program called Total Recorder, which costs $12. Very simple, very fast, and handles all kinds of situations.

Power Tracks can itself convert to compressed format, but I;ve not used that. I just use Total Recorder as it is easy and handles all the cases I ever need.

Ed

[Laura C]

Thanks for the info, Ed. Has anyone out there used Power Tracks to compress files? Just wondering how the quality stacks up.