Windows 7: Compressing wav files

Robert29 · 13 Feb 2010

In XP, Sound Recorder was very useful for compressing wav files. However, in Windows 7, Sound Recorder does not do that at all.
Can the XP version of Sound Recorder be installed in Windows 7 or is there an equivalent alternative ?
I can't find anything that will do that job.

Robert.

noobvious · 13 Feb 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Robert29

In XP, Sound Recorder was very useful for compressing wav files. However, in Windows 7, Sound Recorder does not do that at all.
Can the XP version of Sound Recorder be installed in Windows 7 or is there an equivalent alternative ?
I can't find anything that will do that job.

Robert.

Did that Sound Recorder compress them in a loss-less manner, like converting them to FLAC, for example? Converting to FLAC would preserve all the data while cutting the size significantly....converting to mp3, wma, or one of the other "lossy" codecs would save a ton of space, but you'd lose some data that you may or may not even notice is gone.

A little more details on what these wav files are and what you need them for could help me give you a more defined answer.

dnorris · 13 Feb 2010

Not sure what you mean by "compressing" wav files...

Vista/Win 7 Soundrecorder defaults to saving in .wma format, except in Europe (N
edition).
You can save in .wav format by starting the program with a parameter...

soundrecorder /file outputfile.wav
You can put this line in a shortcut.

Also, the XP sndrec32.exe will work if you copy it over.

Or, you can download a free program, like Audacity
Audacity: Download
which is also an editor.

dlchapman · 13 Feb 2010

A great alternative that has many more features would be Audacity (Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder). I'd highly recommend this over Sound Recorder any day.

dlchapman · 13 Feb 2010

Oops, dnorris beat me to it.

Robert29 · 13 Feb 2010

Thanks !

Sounds like I should get XP sndrec32.exe - can I just copy the exe file or is an installer needed ?

I'm using the wavs to stream with stationery emails and the XP Sound recorder gave the option to save in MPEG Layer-3 with various options for bit and HZ so It could be juggled between acceptable sound and file size. Audacity won't do that.

Robert.

Robert29 · 15 Feb 2010

I've got sndrec.exe installed with a shortcut on my desktop. That works.
However, MPG Layer-3 does not appear on the drop down list of choices for compression.

There is a version of that codec installed for WMP12 but it's decode only and presumably that's why it won't appear on the drop down list.

I got the full (?) version of the codec l3codecx.exe but it won't install. I've tried running the installer as administrator.

Any ideas ?

Robert.

whs · 15 Feb 2010

I would do that differently. I would convert the .wav file to .mp3 (only 10% size) with Format Factory. Then I would put a .wav header on the .mp3 file - that makes it appear like a .wav and can be used e.g. in PowerPoint picture shows. Here is how to finagle the header: PowerPoint Embed mp3 files Cannot beat the 10% size with compression.

Robert29 · 16 Feb 2010

Thank you - I'll try that method.

Robert.

Robert29 · 16 Feb 2010

That works beautifully, thank you !

I tried it out on one file. Reduced it to 860Kbs and the quality of sound is fine.

regards,

Robert.

Windows 7: Compressing wav files

Compressing wav files problems?