How to Convert an MP3 to a Smaller File
Storage space is at a premium in the smallest flash memory-based MP3 players, and if you are getting ready to travel with a low-capacity MP3 player, you may be looking for a way to cram as many songs as possible into a small amount of space. If fitting the maximum number of songs on the player is a higher priority for you than the audio quality of those songs, re-compressing the file at a lower bit rate can substantially reduce the size of an MP3 file. This article explains the process of using iTunes, a free program for Mac and PC, to convert an MP3 to a smaller file.
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Instructions
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Launch iTunes. Click "Edit" at the top of the screen, then click "Preferences."
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Click the "Advanced" tab, then click the "Importing" tab below it. Confirm that the "Import Using" drop-down menu has "MP3 Encoder" selected. If it doesn't, change it.
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Click the drop-down menu next to "Setting" and select "Custom."
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Select a bit rate for your converted MP3 files. In most cases, the files you are converting will be encoded at 128 kbps, so you will need to select a lower bit rate than this in order to achieve a smaller file size. Any bit rate below 80 kbps is likely to result in a substantial drop in audio quality, but you can get around this by clicking the "Channels" drop-down menu and selecting "Mono." A mono MP3 encoded at 64 kbps will have audio quality similar to a stereo MP3 encoded at 128 kbps with the file size reduced by half. Click "OK" when you are happy with your selection.
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Right click on the MP3 file that you would like to reduce the size of, and click "Convert Selection to MP3." The file will be re-encoded at a lower bit rate, resulting in a smaller file.
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Right click on the new file and click "Get Info" to find out how much smaller the new file is compared to the original. The original file remains unchanged unless you delete it manually.
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Tips & Warnings
MP3 files that are encoded at low bit rates tend to be easily distinguished from the original CDs due to their "tinny" sound quality and audible compression artifacts. This effect is magnified when re-compressing an already compressed MP3 file. For the best possible sound quality from a small MP3, create the MP3 from the original CD rather than an existing MP3 file.
