Zipping/compression software

[matt]

Hi guys.

I'm looking for good freeware which will enable me to compress large audio files (mp3) so they are small enough to send via email.

I've tried WinZip and a few others but they don't compress the files enough and I can't find any way in the software to increase the degree of compression.

As an example, I have an 11.4MB MP3 that when I convert using WinZip, FreeZip or other 'zipware' only reduces it to around 9.34MB. That's still to large for most people's in-boxes.

I'd like to compress it to less than 6MB but can't find a way to do this in these programs.

Any suggestions? Any recommendations of other good, easy-to-use software which preferably doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Many thanks.

[skwinty (Steve)]

Hi Matt
You may have to resample your MP3 files using a lower sampling rate.
There are lots of free mp3 converters on the net.

[matt]

Hi skwinty, and thanks for the reply.

Probably a silly question, but how do I 'resample' using a lower sampling rate?

And yes...there are lots of free mp3 converters on the net. I've looked at and tried a few today.

Would you care to recommend those which you consider to be good and easy to use?

Cheers.

[turbo_pascale (Rob)]

MP3's are already inherently compressed, but they can (sometimes) get a little more using "normal" compression tools.

If you're going to use it on an ipod, you can use iTunes and convert them to AAC format. In there you can specify the quality settings. AAC is a much better compression format (in terms of size vs. quality). Having said that, I hate it's proprietary nature, and I just keep things as MP3 whenever I can.

Other thing you can do is upload the file to some webspace you have (a "free" webpage from your ISP might be enough), and have them download it and then you can remove it.

The easiest way though, is get the other person on Skype or some other similar IM client, and send the files directly while you're online together.

[skwinty (Steve)]

16 kbps 4.5 kHzshortwave radio
32 kbps 7.5 kHzAM radio
96 kbps 11 kHzFM radio
128 kbps 16 kHz near CD
160-180 kbps (variable bitrate) 20 kHzperceptual transparency
256 kbps 22 kHz vstudio
Hi Matt
when you record the audio from say wma or aiff format to mp3, you specify the sampling rate for the conversion.Obviously the higher the sampling rate the bigger the file.
MP3 are thus compressed audio files, so to expect a zip program to make the files a lot smaller is problematic. The table above gives and idea of the quality expected for different sampling rates.
I cant recomend a specific program because I have not had a reason to look for a specific one that resamples mp3.
I use one that converts wma to mp3.
Search using keywords like mp3 to mp3 or mp3 resampler.

[matt]

These are audio files being 'ripped' off a CD (my own audio, btw...not someone else's songs/music etc) and then being attached to emails to be sent.

I'd just like software which gives me a little more flexibility when it comes to making the mp3 a smaller file.

I'm using youSENDit to send the larger files (upwards of 6MB)...but that requires the recipient to access and open them etc

[skwinty (Steve)]

OK Matt
Re-rip the files and select a lower sample rate with whichever program you use to rip with

[MrB (Simon)]

Audiograbber is freeware and you control what bitrate you want.
It needs a third-party codec to operate, but one is available (LAME) on the same site: http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/download.html

Note that MP3(and for images, JPEG/GIF) is LOSSY compression, meaning information is removed and can not be retreived = loss in audio quality. The lower the bitrate the worse the quality.
Programs like WinZip are LOSSLESS compression and therefore have lower compression ratio's.

[matt]

Hi MrB.

I agree with your comment re: WinZip...and its lower compression ratio.

I believe it only compresses by a max of 15%. In my mind, that's no really enough to make it worthwhile IMO.

Still...I'm sure some people find it useful.

Thanks for the links and tips

[gman (Grant)]

Just thinking outside the square.
Why not burn them to a CD and use Australia post.
Would be fairly cheap to send and you can send a whole lot more mp3's uncompressed ready to use.

[matt]

Hi gman.

These audio files often need to be sent within hours of their creation.

Snail mail won't cut it.

[programmer]

make a multi-volume Zip then send in multiple emails!

[Dooghan (Dooghan)]

The only way I can see you can do it is by changing the sampling rate or the people you are sending it to get a bigger inbox like Gmail. Email clients on the PC can be setup to retrieve Gmail like you do with your ISP email.

[programmer]

Instructions for my suggestion above:

To create a multi-part ZIP:

- Download lastest evaluation version here and install with default options
- Right-click the file to zip and choose "Winzip/Add to zip file..."
- Click "use evaulation version"
- Look for "Split Zip file" and click where it says "Don't Split"
- In the drop-down list, choose desired size for each piece, e.g. 3Mb
- Click "Add" button in top-right
- Done! Email each piece separately

[matt]

Thanks for all your replies, guys. Much appreciated

I'll give your suggestions a try.

Again...many thanks.

[Karlsson]

Perhaps you could give this a try:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

A few years ago I used it frequently for the purpose you described.