[Eric]

What is the difference between these two sound standards: .WAV and .MP3?

In my previous thread, I asked questions about what type of hardware I should use to record a set. Now that I have decided to go with the M-Audio MicroTrack II, I have the option to record in either .MP3 or .WAV. However, I am not sure on the difference between the two.

Speedy Dan, mentioned that .WAV will record in better sound quality. Could anyone elaborate on this more?

[mstrmnd]

WAV files allow for lossless audio recordings and are very large in file size.

MP3 is compressed audio that is lower quality.

If you plan to do post-recording editing then you'll want to record in WAV or other lossless audio if available. Then use MP3 for distribution with its smaller file. I'd recommend recording everything in WAV. Then anything you want to share convert seperately to MP3 with an audio file converter.

[Speely Dan]

Yup. What he said. In .wav format, every single last little sound is recorded to the file. It's clear, it's detailed - and it's huge.

.mp3 is a compressed audio format, designed to take a full-length song that would easily be 500MB or more in .wav format, and turn it into an easily-shared-online 3.5 or 4MB file.

All your mastering and mixing should be done in .wav format. Then, when you've got it the way you want it, export it to .mp3 so you can send it to people or upload it to a website (COUGHgxgCOUGH) or something.

(I moved to Chicago to start a recording company with three musician friends and have been learning a lot in the past 9 months... Ableton rules, by the way...)

[DJ_Eezergud]

as stated wav is a completely uncompressed, bulky format, MP3 is a compressed format,
i to recommend recording in wav. however if you do record a set in mp3 format i dont recommend going below 320 kbps. remember most DJ's if they are using digital are probably using 320 kbps mp3's with there CDJ's.

now for the technical side, as far as i understand it at least and feel free to correct me if im wrong
Compressing a song file works by shaving sound waves off that most poeple wont hear, actually at a high bit rate the stuff that gets shaved off isnt even in our range of hearing. and pretty much no one will be able to tell the difference between a 320 and a wav, *actually you can go as low as 192 and people wont be able to tell the difference but theres a reason why not to go that low coming up*
Like i said that sound that gets shaved off humans cant hear, unless you happen to know a human thats a whale
however that doesnt mean those sound waves dont serve a purpose. the lower end of those frequencies help drive the sub woofers so you have nice strong kicks over a big system, the more u compress the weaker it gets. *taken from how to dj properly book*

as far as recording. if your recording a live set, id record in wav just to be safe and to make sure you dont get any sound artifacts, because your only gonna get one chance to record that exact set.
sorry if this is confusing and jumbled but im tired as shit (damn third shift)

[DJ WALDO]

Honestly i can't tell the dif between .mp3 (320 kbps) and wav. I use serato and have the same tracks on .wav and .mp3, and have played them at the same time and "beat-juggled" them to see if i could tell a difference, and honestly i couldn't. It's all about "compression of sound", and saving space on the ole hard drive. Some CDJ's wont even play .WAV's due to the "loss of sound quality.

I personally release all my originally produced tracks as 320 kbps .mp3's...


Hey any thoughts on .MP4's???

[partiology.com]

Originally Posted by DJ WALDO

Honestly i can't tell the dif between .mp3 (320 kbps) and wav. I use serato and have the same tracks on .wav and .mp3, and have played them at the same time and "beat-juggled" them to see if i could tell a difference, and honestly i couldn't. It's all about "compression of sound", and saving space on the ole hard drive. Some CDJ's wont even play .WAV's due to the "loss of sound quality.

I personally release all my originally produced tracks as 320 kbps .mp3's...


Hey any thoughts on .MP4's???

An mp3 has 3 layers of data hints the name. The first 2 layers consist of audio layers and a 3rd control layer. The 3rd layer has all the info. such as Artist, Title of song, album, lenth of track, ect. MP4s just have another layer that can be used as a video layer or it can be used as a lockout or a security feature. iTunes uses mp4s to keep you from duplicating tracks but there's ways around that.

[DJ_Eezergud]

Originally Posted by partiology.com

An mp3 has 3 layers of data hints the name. The first 2 layers consist of audio layers and a 3rd control layer. The 3rd layer has all the info. such as Artist, Title of song, album, lenth of track, ect. MP4s just have another layer that can be used as a video layer or it can be used as a lockout or a security feature. iTunes uses mp4s to keep you from duplicating tracks but there's ways around that.

ya and its freakin easy to get around that to lol

[DJ WALDO]

Originally Posted by DJ_Eezergud

ya and its freakin easy to get around that to lol

By "unhiding" files in your directory???

[Eric]

Alright, great input - thank you very much to everyone!

BUT, I will be recording the entire night - potentially 5 to 6 hours of recording. Without having to change SD cards, I will have 4 GB to work with. It sounds like I will need to record in .MP3 at 320/48 khz due to file size issues. Am I correct on this? Will there be enough room? or will I need to change out cards at some point during the night?

[DJ WALDO]

Originally Posted by Eric

Alright, great input - thank you very much to everyone!

BUT, I will be recording the entire night - potentially 5 to 6 hours of recording. Without having to change SD cards, I will have 4 GB to work with. It sounds like I will need to record in .MP3 at 320/48 khz due to file size issues. Am I correct on this? Will there be enough room? or will I need to change out cards at some point during the night?

Yeah man....you should be STRAIGHT!!!!