Compressing wav files

[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.

 

[noobvious]

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]

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]

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]

Oops, dnorris beat me to it.

 

[Robert29]

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]

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]

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]

Thank you - I'll try that method.

Robert.

 

[Robert29]

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.

 

[Jonathan_King]

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.

That sounds interesting. You still need the mp3 codec to play it, right?

 

[whs]

Well, I am glad you could solve it that way. Have fun with your music.

 

[whs]

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.

That sounds interesting. You still need the mp3 codec to play it, right?

Jonathan, it essentially remains an .mp3 with a .wav header. However, the filetype then is .wav. And to tell you the truth, i am not sure whether it plays a .wav or .mp3. My guess would be as .wav.

 

[willartte]

I really don’t know how it is done, but Faasoft WAV Compressor has that feature, and I didn’t have any problem using that function.