User Manual

15.46 MP2 files 405
15.46 MP2 files
MP2 (MPEG-1, audio layer 2) is an audio encoding format defined by ISO/IEC 11172-3,
alongside MPEG-1 and MPEG-3, using lossy audio compression. The three audio "layers"
(MP1, MP2 and MP3) are different perceptual encoding techniques.
MP2 remains an important format for broadcast audio and is part of DAB digital radio and
DVB digital television standards. It is also the audio format used in HDV camcorders. MP2
files are sometimes referred to "Musicam files".
Typical filename extensions are .mp2, .mpa, .mpg, .mus, .m32, .m44 and .m48.
MP3 files
MP2 encoding
Glossary contents
15.47 MP3 files
MP3 (MPEG-1, audio layer 3) is a patented digital audio encoding format using lossy
audio compression, designed by the Moving Picture Experts Group as part of its MPEG-1
standard, and derived from MP2. MP3 is popular for PC and internet applications - data
compression ratios of 10:1 are typical.
Note that when you open an MPEG compressed file in WaveLab, the file is converted to a
temporary wave file that is much larger than the original compressed file, so make sure that
you have enough free space on your hard disk when opening MPEG compressed files. On
saving, the temporary wave file is converted back to MP3, so from a user perspective the file
handling is transparent apart from the size difference mentioned above.
The filename extension is .mp3
MP2 files
Audio File Format Dialog
Glossary contents
15.48 Non-destructive editing
Non-destructive editing When you delete or change a part of an Audio File in a non-
destructive system, the audio is not deleted or permanently changed - instead a set of point-
ers keeps track of all the edits, so these can be readily reversed. WaveLab provides com-
prehensive facilities for Non-destructive editing.
Glossary contents
15.49 Normalize
To Normalize is to raise the volume so that the sample with the highest level is set to the
maximum user-defined level. This ensures that you are using all of the dynamic range available
to you.
WaveLab 7