Editing an MP3 - save process... -Sound Forge - PC

Subject:Editing an MP3 - save process... Posted by: RKHIII Date:7/20/2008 8:42:57 PM I sometimes record live shows in mp3 format using a Zoom H2. When I I use effects on the mp3 file in Sound Forge such as a multi-band compressor or EQ, etc., is it best to handle all of the effects processing during one editing session rather than for instance adding some EQ, saving the file, then coming back and working with the file using the multi-band compressor and saving it again? I assume each time an mp3 file is edited then saved, it goes through the mp3 compression algorithm process during the "save" process", thus reducing the quality of the original mp3? Thanks... --RKHIII
Subject:RE: Editing an MP3 - save process... Reply by: musicvid10 Date:7/20/2008 10:33:07 PM This is a very good question. The best way, of course, is to record as .wav on your Zoom (big SDHC cards are cheap!) and edit in that format. Your best workflow in the case of an .mp3 source would be to open the file in Sound Forge, then save it right away as as a .wav file. Then you can open the .wav file and edit as often as you want, then resave as many times as you want, without further compression loss. If you need an .mp3 as your final format, save the final .wav as .mp3. That way, you are undergoing only one necessary recompression. Message last edited on7/20/2008 10:41:06 PM bymusicvid10.
Subject:RE: Editing an MP3 - save process... Reply by: RKHIII Date:7/21/2008 7:17:01 PM Thanks much for the response. That's what I suspected. And you're right...as cheap as SDHC cards are, I'll grab a larger capactiy card and record in the .wav format. Best - Roy

Subject:Editing an MP3 - save process...

Posted by: RKHIII

Date:7/20/2008 8:42:57 PM

I sometimes record live shows in mp3 format using a Zoom H2. When I I use effects on the mp3 file in Sound Forge such as a multi-band compressor or EQ, etc., is it best to handle all of the effects processing during one editing session rather than for instance adding some EQ, saving the file, then coming back and working with the file using the multi-band compressor and saving it again? I assume each time an mp3 file is edited then saved, it goes through the mp3 compression algorithm process during the "save" process", thus reducing the quality of the original mp3?
Thanks... --RKHIII

Subject:RE: Editing an MP3 - save process...

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:7/20/2008 10:33:07 PM

This is a very good question.

The best way, of course, is to record as .wav on your Zoom (big SDHC cards are cheap!) and edit in that format.

Your best workflow in the case of an .mp3 source would be to open the file in Sound Forge, then save it right away as as a .wav file.

Then you can open the .wav file and edit as often as you want, then resave as many times as you want, without further compression loss.

If you need an .mp3 as your final format, save the final .wav as .mp3. That way, you are undergoing only one necessary recompression.

Message last edited on7/20/2008 10:41:06 PM bymusicvid10.

Subject:RE: Editing an MP3 - save process...

Reply by: RKHIII

Date:7/21/2008 7:17:01 PM

Thanks much for the response. That's what I suspected. And you're right...as cheap as SDHC cards are, I'll grab a larger capactiy card and record in the .wav format.

Best - Roy