Trying To Save MP3 16-Bit But Always Saves As 32-Bit Float

[cdcollura]

When I edit wave / MP3 files in Adobe Audition, Build 24.4.1.3 ... I convert it to 44.1 Khz (sample rate doesn't matter) and from either 8 bit (or 32 bit) to 16-bits, and save it ... If I exit and re-load it into Audition it's 32 Bit float (sample rates are correct, just not the 16 bit depth). I even loaded a saved file into VLC and it's also says 32 bits.

Steps To Repeat:

1. Load an audio file, convert it to, or make sure it is 16-bit audio (ss1.png).

2. Save-As, make sure it's 16-bits, mp3. I used "Test.mp3" in this example.

3. Look at the file in another program, such as VLC, and it's 32 bits (ss2.png).

4. Re-load it (open) and it's 32-bit float (ss3.png).

[Richard M Knight]

I'm seeing the same here. 

[Richard M Knight]

Just had a quick Google, as I understand it MP3s don't have a bit depth only a bit rate, the depth reported seems to depend on the decoder.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

Actually it's very simple - when Audition re-opens any compressed format file at all, it is decoded into a 32-bit format. If you want to find out definitively what the format of a stored file is, you have to look at its preferences in your OS. And no, this is not a bug.

[cdcollura]

Not sure about that. Before if I saved in 8 (or 16) bits and reloaded it, it was "as if it was saved", 8 or 16 (not 32 regardless). Remember I also used VLC and checked the encoding of the file I saved in Audition, and it was 32 bits. Before that, the 16 bit file also showed 16 bits in VLC.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

No it really is very simple, and you can check it yourself easily. If you create an MP3 file in Audition, re-open it aand look at its properties, you'll find that they will display the files's properties as you saved them, and the same thing will be displayed in the metadata. But if you look at the bottom right corner of the screen, it will show you the properties of the file as Audition re-opened it, and that will say that it's been opened as a 32-bit file.

[cdcollura]

That's what I have been doing as well. It's 32 bit in the properties as well. Only for MP3, the WAV one is correct.