Help shrinking an mp3

[Hook]

So I have a new tune I want to post but it seems to be too large a file. I have tried changing it to 24 & 16 bit also tried changing it to 22050 but nothing seems to be working. I'm using audacity & I'm sure I'm doing it wrong. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

[64Guitars]

It has to be 16-bit, 44.1 kHz (44100 Hz) or our player probably won't work.

To reduce the file size, you can reduce the "Quality" setting in Audacity's Export dialog. I usually start with 320 kbps to get the best quality, then I check the resulting file size. If it's too big (it usually is), then I try the next lower "Quality" setting (256 kbps) and export it again. I then check the size of that file and keep repeating the process until the file size is under 6MB. That way, I always get the highest quality file that is under 6MB. For most average-length songs, you should be able to get 192 kbps or higher. If you're not too concerned about quality and just want to keep it simple, you could always start with 192 kbps. That gives reasonably good quality and usually is under 6MB. If it's not, then you can try 160 kbps, and so on. I wouldn't recommend going below 128 kbps because the sound quality will be noticeably bad. Although, it depends on the song. If you're lucky, you might get away with lower bitrates occasionally. But usually anything under 128 kbps will sound dull and may have artefacts such as warble and/or glitches.

The 22050 you mentioned isn't the MP3 "Quality" setting (bitrate). Rather, it's the project sample rate. You don't want to mess with that setting. It needs to stay at 44100.

There are detailed instructions, including Audacity screenshots, for exporting to MP3 here:

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=15

Scroll down to near the bottom of the page under the heading "Export to MP3".

I also find it helpful to include the bitrate in the filename so that I can easily see which file is which. For example, if your song is called "Honeycomb", then you'd first set the Audacity MP3 export Quality setting to 320 kbps and name the file "Honeycomb - 320kbps.mp3". After exporting it, you'd check the file size and if it's too big (most likely), then you'd set the MP3 export Quality to 256 kbps and name that file "Honeycomb - 256kbps.mp3". And so on.

[The Gobi Desert Canoe Club]

Thanks 64, I've had the same problem. Will give this a try. Roscoe

[Hook]

Thanks 64, worked like a charm. I had to drop to 112kbps but I'm not noticing any issues with sound quality. Granted I've never really thought I had a very sensitive ear to that sort of thing but I think I'd notice any big problems. I'll upload the tune tonight when I get home to a wireless connection (on my phone now).Thanks again, as always your knowledge is immense and your desire to share it is greatly appreciated! I have said it on many occasions, you do rock my brother!
On!