Exporting to mp3 problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter mstras
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mstras

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I'm new to this site and forum. Here's my problem.
I have Sonar 3 Studio Edition
I've recorded a song and exported as mp3 and it mixes down to 14.8 MB
I need it to be no more than 10 MB
due to restrictions in place by the site I want to upload to.

So I eliminated some tracks
(Actually made a new template and only copied 5 of the original 8 tracks)
But it still comes out to be 14.8 MB

What's up with that?
Any suggestions, insights or help is greatly appreciated
Thanks
 
What is the sample rate? What is the bitrate? And how long is the track?
 
but here's the thing.
The file size remains the same even when I eliminate tracks as export as a new file
 
I just exported the guitar track only
Same thing
File size 14.8 MB
i'm thinking there's a prob with the program
 
It doesn't matter how many tracks your original Sonar project is. When exporting to mp3 it is reduced to stereo, which is why the file size is always the same. So if you are going from 16 tracks to 2 tracks or 2 tracks to 2 tracks it will all end up being the same file size. The file size will change if you shorten the song, or if you reduce the mp3 conversion bit rate.

What bit rate are you using, 128 kbps? Or higher? If higher than 128, you could probably reduce it to 128 and still be happy with how it sounds.
 
Also, when you listed the sample and bit rate above you are listing the info for the original file. i.e. 44k and 16 bit. What we are referring to is the bit rate of the mp3 format. If you reduce that number you will reduce your file size.
 
SonicAlbert said:
It doesn't matter how many tracks your original Sonar project is. When exporting to mp3 it is reduced to stereo, which is why the file size is always the same. So if you are going from 16 tracks to 2 tracks or 2 tracks to 2 tracks it will all end up being the same file size. The file size will change if you shorten the song, or if you reduce the mp3 conversion bit rate.

What bit rate are you using, 128 kbps? Or higher? If higher than 128, you could probably reduce it to 128 and still be happy with how it sounds.
Click to expand...

i wouldn't go lower than 128 and an 8 minute song is a bit much. Another file host is out of the question i take it?
 
thanks ... I'll check it out and thanks for the clarification on the sample and bit rate on the original file versus the mp3 file.
 
I have it posted on youtube and FB already but I like to post songs onto Jango periodically just to see what folks say and they have a 10 MB limit. thanks.
I think I'' try setting the rate below 128, if Sonar 3 allows that for mp3s and see? .... hear what it sounds like
Thanks
 
I agree about not going below 128, in an ideal situation. But the default conversion rate in Sonar might be set higher than that, worth checking out. Also, 8 minutes is indeed a long song, so it might not be possible to reduce the file size below 10 megs without compromising the sound. At that point you might look for a different file host, as guitarded2 suggested.

I just don't think you want to have any song of yours out there at such a low resolution that it doesn't sound good.
 
Thanks. You're right the default setting in Sonar was higher. I changed to 128 and now have a 7.4 MB file thanks.
I never saw or realized I could change that setting. Maybe I'll try another setting a bit higher than 128 and see what I get.
Thanks again for your help.
 
I get your point and the not too subtle insult.
However in this case it turned out to be a "blessing" in disguise.

Not knowing what else to do I did remove 3 tracks and it actually
turned out to be an inadvertent good editing choice ...decision?

The song, it turns out, is stronger without those tracks
Sometimes less is more
 
mstras said:
I get your point and the not too subtle insult.
However in this case it turned out to be a "blessing" in disguise.

Not knowing what else to do I did remove 3 tracks and it actually
turned out to be an inadvertent good editing choice ...decision?

The song, it turns out, is stronger without those tracks
Sometimes less is more
Click to expand...
Relax. There was no insult. I was stating a fact. If you were willing to remove tracks for the sole purpose of making a file smaller, then a change in bit- rate should make less of a difference to you. The fact that removing tracks helped the song is a happy accident. Nothing wrong with that.
 
You're right. I was being a bit the overly sensitive "artiste" ;-)
In any event, I learned something new here today about my recording software and I'm grateful for that.
10-4
over 'n out
 
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