8 Bit Format?

Question

Level 1

8 points

8 Bit Format?

Hello, I am using GarageBand 3 and would like to modify a song I downloaded from the internet. However, when I drag the song from iTunes to GarageBand, a pop-up notification alerts me that the file (.wav) has an "8 bit format and cannot be used!" Basically, all I want to do is lengthen the song by repeating a part of it and then fade the volume down at the end, save it, and then replace it in my iTunes library (I am using the song in a presentation using Keynote 3). Please let me know if you can help me. Thank you.
- Gianni

Powerbook G4 17", Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 28, 2006 10:35 AM

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Answer 1

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

May 28, 2006 10:41 AM in response to GianniG60

Convert it with iTunes

http://www.thehangtime.com/gb/gbfaq2.html#neverfail

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Answer 2

GianniG60 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 28, 2006 10:54 AM in response to HangTime

Thanks for the help but I don't understand. Convert it to what with iTunes? How will this enable me to import it into Garageband. I did not find the answer at the link you sent me.
- GM

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Answer 3

xs4is

Level 4

2,800 points

May 28, 2006 10:57 AM in response to GianniG60

To bring Hang's link to the forum:

"A. Drag the sound file into the iTunes window, if it isn’t already there. Set iTunes’ Importing preference to AIFF, 44.1k, 16-bit. With the name selected in the iTunes window choose Convert to AIFF from under the Advanced menu.

When the conversion is done a new file will be created and listed in the iTunes window (Convert doesn’t actually convert, it recreates in the new format). Select this new iTunes song and chose Show Song File from under the File menu. Drag this file into your GarageBand Timeline and it will play fine."

He's saying that iTunes will take the 8 bit song file, convert it into AIFF (by following the instructions layed out) which is a 16 bit song file and therefore compatible in GB.

Good luck X

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Answer 4

GianniG60 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 28, 2006 11:06 AM in response to GianniG60

Ok, I finally got your instructions and it worked. Thank you!
- GM

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Answer 5

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

May 28, 2006 11:10 AM in response to GianniG60

That's why it's Never-Fail™ %-)>

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Answer 6

Jun 15, 2007 5:51 PM in response to HangTime

Actually -- the foolproof method isn't working for me! It will import the sound but it sounds either sped up or completely mangled in some fashion.

Any thoughts?

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Answer 7

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Jun 15, 2007 5:57 PM in response to Robert Cochrane

Every time ( every time) it has not worked, it has been found to be human error.

Here is a step by step tut:

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Tutorials.html#allaboutconvertingsoundformats

See if that helps.

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