Audio Tools
Compressors
Audio compression reduces file size by lowering the bitrate, which makes files faster to share and easier to store. These tools let you choose the compression level and output format so you stay in control of the quality trade-off.
All Compressors
Frequently Asked Questions
How does audio compression work?
Audio compression (in the context of file size) re-encodes the audio at a lower bitrate. A lower bitrate means less data is stored per second of audio, which reduces file size but also reduces audio quality. A 128 kbps MP3 is roughly half the size of a 256 kbps one.
What bitrate should I use for music vs speech?
For music, 128 kbps is acceptable for casual listening; 192 kbps or 256 kbps is better for high-quality playback. Speech recordings (podcasts, voice memos) are often fine at 64-96 kbps since speech has a narrower frequency range than music.
Can I compress a FLAC or WAV file to MP3?
Yes. The Audio Compressor accepts lossless formats like FLAC and WAV as input and can output to MP3, OGG, or AAC. This is a common workflow for archiving originals in lossless format while distributing smaller compressed versions.
What is the difference between MP3 Compressor and Audio Compressor?
The MP3 Compressor is optimised for MP3 input and output. The Audio Compressor supports multiple input formats and multiple output formats (MP3, OGG, AAC). Use the Audio Compressor if your source is not an MP3.