Compressing audio files allows you to reduce the size of an original file, making it easier to upload to the cloud, your podcast hosting service, or an email composition. Compression also saves precious space on your hard drive.
Need to reduce the size of a large audio file? Here are four easy ways to compress it without losing quality, no matter which device you’re on.
Audio file compression reduces the file size of your audio while keeping the original data intact. The point is that you save storage space—whether on your computer or cloud account—and make it easier to transfer your audio file to others online.
Here’s the rub: you can only compress an audio file so much. It’s not possible to take an existing compressed audio file and compress it further.
Descript is an excellent audio and video compressor for creators. The compression process takes seconds, and you can even edit audio and improve the quality, all with a free account.
Here’s a quick tutorial.
Download the most recent version of Descript. Follow the instructions on your screen and launch the program.
Next, open a new Audio Project. Drag your audio file into the script area, and Descript will start transcribing it. Add a speaker’s name if you want.
Next, make any adjustments to the audio before you export it. In Descript, you can:
Once the audio is in tip-top shape, you can export it from your dashboard.
Click Publish, select the Export tab, and then choose Audio from the list of options. You can choose the following formats:
If you want, you can customize the normalization (where you make the volume consistent across your entire audio) and sample rate (the rate at which the computer processes digital audio samples to mimic analog sound so our humble human ears can hear it).
Export your file and you’re ready to go! From here, you can transfer it to a media platform or smartphone and listen.
Audacity is a popular audio editor, recorder, and music-making software. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can compress audio files.
The interface for Audacity is intimidating for beginners, but it’s pretty standard for traditional sound editing tools. Fortunately, compressing an audio file with it is pretty easy:
If you need to compress an audio file on your phone, several Android and iOS apps will get it done.
The interface for these apps looks different, but the process is the same. Select your media file and choose one of the compressions available. Then, export the compressed audio to your device.
If you don’t want to create any accounts or install software, you still have options. You can use a free online audio converter in your browser like this one from 123Apps.
Here’s how it works:
Fun fact: 123 Apps also offers a Google Chrome Extension to get the work done faster.
File compression is usually split into two main types: lossy and lossless. The main difference between them is the remaining file size.
Think about when you read a physical book. A lossless file would convert the book to a physically smaller size, but all of the words would still be there. Instead of a book that’s six inches wide by nine inches tall, you’re now reading a book that’s four inches wide by six inches tall (with very tiny text).
A lossy file, on the other hand, might have some filler words removed—but you’d still get the gist of the story. Or, it would be reduced to a plot summary, resulting in a much smaller book.
📚 Learn: How to convert video to audio: A step-by-step guide
It’s not really about which type of compression is superior—that’s comparing apples to oranges. Which is “better” depends on why you want to compress the audio.
Generally, you’ll want to use lossless compression when you want a near-carbon copy of the original audio file, and lossy when you’re not worried about perfection.
Use lossless compression when:
Use lossy compression for:
Keep in mind lossy compression removes a bunch of the audio data—and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Many free online audio compressors only convert to lossy files, so consider a more professional audio converter like Descript if you want the option to create WAV files.
To compress audio files for free, you can install free software like Descript or Audacity. These tools let you adjust the bitrate and format to reduce file size while balancing between high-quality sound and compression. You can also use an online service like XConvert or FileZigZag.
You can easily zip a large audio file using your Windows or macOS computer. Find the file you want to compress, then:
Yes, you can compress music files. Compression can be lossy, like MP3 or AAC, which reduces file size by removing parts of the audio that humans can't hear. Or lossless, like FLAC or ALAC, which reduces file size without sacrificing audio quality.
Featured articles:
AI for Creators
We surveyed over 1,000 creators to uncover the latest creator economy trends. Learn how AI is impacting creators' workflow in this article.
Product Updates
What is a marketing campaign, and how do you use it to increase brand awareness with your target audience? We break down the basics right here.
Video
No matter your budget or experience, there are some basic techniques and tools that can help you improve your lighting, upgrade the look of your videos, and set you apart.
Video
The best stories are driven by the characters. Here's how to find the complexity in your characters to drive the story forward.
Podcasting
Explore the most popular podcasts of the moment. Discover trending topics and captivating hosts to find your next favorite podcast.
Other stuff
Learn how you can create a social media marketing plan that’s purely focused on posts for your own accounts, or can include a strategy for working with influencers.
Get free recording and editing tips, and resources delivered to your inbox.