Topic: 71 Mins of 16 WAV files too big to fit on 700MB CDR?

[Shaun]

This one has had me stumped for a few days now. Last weekend I made a nice recording of band Public Service Broadcasting. I recorded it (as usual) on my PCM-10 at 48Khz/24bit. Loaded it into Audacity, changed the project rate to 44.1Khz,  lightly eq'd it, amplified it, divided it up into 13 tracks, exported them all as 16Bit WAV files. Now when I try to burn them all to a CD it's too big. The whole recording is only just over 71mins yet it's 719MB in size. I've done the whole process twice as I thought maybe I had made a mistake. I've even written all 13 track timings down and added them up to check it's only 71mins.
Can I not burn 79.59 mins of 44.1Khz/16 bit audio onto a 700MB?

[yousef]

The file size sounds about right - just make sure your burning program is set to allow for 80min discs and/or overburning.

[sacchini]

Have you "only" changed the project rate to 44.1 KHz or have you also resampled it through Tracks menu?
I'm not an Audaticy expert but usually I resampled the tracks, then changed the project rate and finally I saved in 16 bit wave file.

[yousef]

I think the file size is about right for 71mins of 44.1kHz 16 bit stereo.

If the audio hadn't been dithered or resampled I think it would be significantly larger than 719MB.

[willndmb]

If you resampled and dithered then the only thing I can think of is your burning program is seeing the files as data and not allowing it to burn because its over 700

[Shaun]

Thanks very much for the advice, I'll check my burning software.

[H₂O]

There are discs that are longer (upto 90 min) but they aren't the highest of quality and the amount that will burn depends on the drive.

FWIW - Why are you still using CD?

[nardo]

You need to burn as CD audio and not as a data disc, then it should fit.

[pontiacb]

Shaun, hope you get it sorted.  Suggest checking the bit rate and sample rate by playing in vlc or similar and checking the audio properties just to check the files aren't still 48kHz.  I was very impressed by PSB when I saw them and plan to see them and tape them again in a couple of weeks, so hopefully you'll post the recording somewhere when you've sorted the issues.

[JasonSobel]

You need to burn as CD audio and not as a data disc, then it should fit.

exactly this.  there are internal checksums within the file structure of data (on either a hard drive or a data CD).  when you burn an audio CD, those are left out, so you can fit more on the disc.  that is why you can fit 74 minutes or 80 minutes on an audio CD, but 71 minutes of WAV files is too large to fit onto a data CD.  There is no inconsistency here.

you have two choices.
1.  burn an audio CD instead of a data CD.
2.  if you really want to burn a data CD instead of an audio CD, convert to FLAC first, and then you'll have plenty of room on the data CD.

[Shaun]

Well after all that it was a defective CDR. Feel a bit stupid as I never thought to try another CDR until last night, worked perfectly and the recording sounds good.

H2o - I'm still using CD as it's the most convenient way to listen on the home stereo, in the car etc. Although I archive all the original 48Khz/24bit files on a hard drive.

pontiacb - Glad you're also impressed by PSB, I'll upload the recording when I get time and let you know the link.