This post explains how to compress audio files with compression tools, including using Monkey’s Audio, MiniTool Video Converter, and YouCompress to reduce file size while maintaining audio quality. The general steps include importing audio files, adjusting compression settings, and starting the compression process.
You need to know how to compress audio files to reduce file size because small audio files will take up less space on your device. Also, sometimes, you may need to know how to compress an audio file for email, since almost all email providers have a limit on the file size of attachments. We’ll walk you through 3 ways to make an audio file smaller.
Understand Audio File Types
Before we get started, let’s first learn about audio file types, uncompressed audio format, lossless compressed audio format, and lossy compressed audio format.
- Uncompressed audio is the real sound that is recorded and converted to digital format without processing.
- Lossless compressed audio formats like FLAC, Monkey’s Audio (APE), and M4A store audio data in less space without losing any information.
- Lossy compressed audio formats offer a greater reduction in audio file size, and of course, this will reduce the audio quality because some of the audio information and data have been removed and simplified.
How to Compress Audio Files
You can reduce size of audio files either by compressing them directly using specialized audio compression tools or by adjusting relevant audio parameters during file conversion. Below, I have selected three tools that cover both of these compression methods:
- Monkey’s Audio
- MiniTool Video Converter
- YouCompress
Way 1: Use Monkey’s Audio
Monkey’s Audio is a powerful lossless audio compressor that’s available on Windows 11/10/8/7 and it offers a fast and easy way to compress digital music without discarding the audio quality during the process of encoding. This is different from lossy compression methods like MP3, OGG, WMA, etc. Like other lossless audio codecs, Monkey’s Audio is able to reduce an audio file to about half of the original size.
In addition to lossless audio data compression, Monkey’s Audio has the capability of decompressing and converting audio files. Monkey’s Audio is completely free and simple to use. Here’s how to compress audio files using this professional audio compressor.
Fast Track Steps:
- Open Monkey’s Audio
- Import the target audio file
- Start compressing audio file
- Check the compressed audio file
Here are the detailed steps on how to compress an audio file with Monkey’s Audio.
1. Go to the Monkey’s Audio website to get the installer and then install it on your desktop.
2. Launch the Monkey’s Audio desktop application, and click the File option, then click the Add Files option to import the audio file from a local file.
3. Click Compress to start the audio compression tasks.
4. Once complete, it will display the size of the current audio file. You can find the compressed audio file in the folder where the original audio file is stored. The compressed audio file will be saved in APE format.
Way 2: Use MiniTool Video Converter
As the name suggests, MiniTool Video Converter is a professional video converter that can convert between a wide variety of video file formats like MP4, MKV, MOV, M2TS, WebM, Xvid, and more. Also, it can function as a video compressor to reduce the size of video files by editing resolution, encoder, frame rate, bitrate, etc.
Apart from that, MiniTool Video Converter is an audio converter that allows you to convert audio from one format to another and compress audio files by changing the format, sample rate, and bitrate.
MiniTool Video Converter is easy to use, and it can convert and compress your audio/video files for free; it allows you to convert up to 5 files simultaneously.
Fast Track Steps:
- Launch MiniTool Video Converter
- Move to the Convert Video section
- Import the target audio file
- Adjust the audio parameters
- Start compressing the audio
- Check the compressed audio file
Now, follow the steps below to learn how to make an audio file smaller with MiniTool Video Converter.
MiniTool Video Converter-
Batch convert video/audio files among 1000+ formats. - Quickly compress videos for easy storage and transfer.
- Accurately extract subtitles from video/audio files.
- Effectively enhance video quality.
1. Click the button above to download and install MiniTool Video Converter on your computer.
2. Launch MiniTool Video Converter and go to the Convert Video section. Next, click Add Files or click on the Add or Drag files here to start conversion area to upload your audio file.
3. Click the Settings icon next to the video. In the new pop-up window, switch to the Audio tab. Then, choose a suitable audio format from the left-hand bar. Next, select the quality of the audio. To adjust the encoder, channel, bitrate, or sample rate, click the Settings icon next to it.
4. Click Convert to start the conversion process. Once done, the tool will automatically move to the Converted tab, then you can click the Play icon to view the converted audio or click the Folder icon to locate the compressed audio file.
In addition to converting and compressing video and audio files, MiniTool Video Converter enables you to extract audio from video, and it has a built-in free screen recorder that lets you record everything on your screen.
Way 3: Use YouCompress
YouCompress is an online file converter that can compress your videos, audio files, images, and documents for free. Therefore, you can use it to reduce the file size of your MP3 or WAV files. Follow the steps below to compress an audio file with YouCompress.
Fast Track Steps:
- Visit the YouCompress website
- Import the target audio file
- Start compression
- End compression
- Check the compressed audio file
Follow the steps below to compress an audio file with YouCompress.
1. Open your browser and navigate to the YouCompress website.
2. Click the Select file option to upload your MP3 or WAV file.
3. Click the Upload File & Compress button and it will automatically start the compression process.
4. Once completed, click Download to download the compressed audio file.
In short, all three methods mentioned above allow you to easily compress audio files, but the best choice depends on your specific needs.
Conclusion
After reading this post, you will never wonder how to compress audio files. Except that Monkey's Audio uses a lossless audio data compression algorithm, all other methods can help you reduce the file size by converting audio to a compressed format such as MP3.
And finally, if you have any questions while using MiniTool Video Converter, you can send an email to support@minitool.com for help.
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About The Author
Position: Columnist
Jade is an experienced multimedia tech writer who has authored hundreds of guides on screen recording, video editing, and software troubleshooting. Dedicated to bridging the gap between complex technical concepts and user-friendly solutions, she specializes in providing clear, actionable advice.
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