What is the default file type for Voice Recorder?

Voice Recorder is a built-in app that comes with all Windows 10 devices and allows users to easily record audio through their device’s microphone. It provides a quick and convenient way to capture voice memos, interviews, lectures, songs, meetings, and any other audio content. The recordings can then be shared or edited within the app.

Voice Recorder is useful for students, journalists, podcasters, musicians, and anyone who needs to capture audio content. It eliminates the need for any additional hardware or apps. Some of its key features include the ability to pause/resume recordings, insert timestamps, adjust audio quality settings, and add tags and comments. The app makes it simple to record, review, edit and share audio quickly on a Windows device.

One of the main decisions when using Voice Recorder is which recording format to use. The default format provides a balance of audio quality and file size, but users can adjust this based on their needs. This article will examine the default format in more detail, discuss alternatives, and provide tips for getting the most out of Voice Recorder.

Default Recording Format

The default recording format for Windows 10’s built-in Voice Recorder app is MPEG-4 Audio (.m4a). This was first introduced in Windows 10 and replaced the old Windows Voice Recorder that saved recordings in WAV format by default.

According to Wikipedia, “Voice Recorder in Windows 10 only records audio in MPEG-4 Part 14 (.m4a) container formats.” [1] The M4A format compresses audio while retaining quality, allowing for smaller file sizes compared to uncompressed formats like WAV.

MPEG-4 Audio Explained

MPEG-4 Audio is an advanced audio coding format that was standardized by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) as part of the MPEG-4 specification (1). It provides high-quality audio compression, allowing large audio files like music to be reduced to a fraction of their original size while retaining perceptual quality.

Some key features of MPEG-4 Audio include:

High compression ratios – Compression rates of 90% or more compared to uncompressed audio.
Wide compatibility – Supported across many devices and platforms.

Scalable sampling rates – Supports sampling rates from 8 to 96 kHz.
Object-based coding – Allows compressing different audio objects separately.

MPEG-4 Audio builds on earlier MPEG audio standards like MP3, offering improved compression efficiency. It utilizes advanced encoding tools like spectral band replication (SBR) and parametric stereo to deliver CD-quality audio at bitrates as low as 64 kbps (2). The quality is generally transparent and indistinguishable from the original source.

Overall, MPEG-4 Audio provides an efficient way to compress audio with minimal loss of perceptual quality. Its widespread support across devices and streaming platforms has made it a popular choice for audio distribution today.

Benefits of MPEG-4

MPEG-4 audio offers several advantages over other audio formats like MP3. Some key benefits include:

Small file size – MPEG-4 uses advanced compression techniques to reduce file sizes. This makes it great for sharing files online or storing more tracks on a device. According to this source, MPEG-4 can provide file sizes about half as big as MP3 at similar quality levels.

Web compatibility – The MPEG-4 audio format is commonly supported by web browsers and websites. It can be embedded easily into web pages using HTML5 <audio> tags. MPEG-4 is considered the standard audio format for online distribution.

Metadata support – MPEG-4 files allow embedding additional metadata like album art, chapter markers, lyrics, and more. This makes MPEG-4 useful for creating enhanced audio experiences. The metadata can be displayed in supporting media players.

Other Supported Formats

Although MPEG-4 is the default, Windows Voice Recorder supports saving recordings in other common audio formats as well:

WAV – An uncompressed audio format that provides high quality. WAV files can be large in size compared to compressed formats like MP3 and M4A. According to Wikipedia, the WAV format is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
MP3 – A very popular compressed audio format supported by most media players and devices. MP3 compression allows for smaller file sizes while still maintaining good audio quality. As noted by Audio Issues, MP3 is a common format for music distribution and streaming.
M4A – The audio format used for Apple’s iTunes store. Like MP3, M4A utilizes lossy compression for reduced file sizes. According to Wikipedia, M4A provides better quality than MP3 at similar bitrates.

So in summary, while MPEG-4 is the default, Voice Recorder also supports audio stalwarts like WAV and MP3 for added compatibility and flexibility.

Changing Default Format

The default format for Windows Voice Recorder is MPEG-4 Audio (.m4a). While this format provides high audio quality in a compressed file size, you may prefer to save recordings in a different format like WAV or MP3.

You can change the default format for Voice Recorder in the Windows Settings. Here are the steps:

Open Settings and go to System > Sound.
Under Input, select your microphone.
Click Device Properties.

Go to the Additional Device Properties tab.
Under Audio Format, change the ‘Default Format’ dropdown to your preferred format like WAV or MP3.

Now new recordings made in Voice Recorder will automatically be saved in your selected default format. You can still save recordings manually in other formats as needed by using ‘Save As’ in Voice Recorder.

Changing the default format can make it more convenient to save recordings how you want without converting the file each time. Just be aware of the file size differences between formats when choosing a default.

Recommended Formats

MPEG-4 Audio (.m4a) is generally recommended as the default recording format for Voice Recorder on most devices like Android phones. MPEG-4 offers a good balance of sound quality and file size.

Compared to uncompressed formats like WAV, MPEG-4 can achieve similar audio quality at a much smaller file size. A 3 minute WAV file may be 30MB, whereas a MPEG-4 file of the same duration might be around 3MB. This makes MPEG-4 more convenient for storage and sharing.

MPEG-4 also has advantages over lossy compressed formats like MP3. At similar bitrates, MPEG-4 can provide better quality than MP3. MPEG-4 is considered more modern and advanced than MP3 ¹.

However, for certain use cases an uncompressed or lossless format like WAV or FLAC may be preferable if audio quality is the top priority. But for casual voice recordings, MPEG-4 hits the sweet spot.

Sharing Recordings

Voice Recorder makes it easy to share your recordings with others. Here are some of the main ways to share recordings directly from the app:

Send via Email – Open the recording you want to share, tap the share icon in the top right, and choose Mail. This will let you send the recording as an audio file attachment in an email.

Send via AirDrop – Use AirDrop to wirelessly share recordings with nearby Apple devices. Open the recording, tap share, and choose AirDrop to send it to a nearby contact.

Send via Messages – You can also attach recordings directly in Messages conversations. Open the recording, tap share, and choose Messages to send it to a contact.

Upload to Cloud Storage – Recordings can be uploaded to cloud storage services like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive and more. Tap the share icon on the recording and choose the desired destination.

Third Party Apps – Some third party apps like Vocaroo also allow sharing recordings by uploading them.

With these options, it’s quick and convenient to share recordings taken on Voice Recorder with friends, colleagues, and contacts.

Voice Recorder Tips

Here are some tips for getting the most out of the Voice Recorder app:

To capture high-quality audio, make sure you hold the phone close to your mouth when recording. Speak loudly and clearly. Reduce background noise as much as possible by finding a quiet location. Test out different recording distances and angles to find the optimal setup.

To edit your recordings, tap on a file to open it. You can trim the beginning or end by dragging the start and end sliders. Tap the scissors icon to cut a clip into multiple parts. Tap the trash can to delete unwanted sections. You can also change the playback speed.

To organize your files, create custom folders by tapping the plus icon in the app’s menu. Give the folder a name, then drag and drop recordings into it. You can also search recordings by name.

Check microphone permissions in your phone’s settings if the recorder is not picking up audio. You may need to allow the Voice Recorder app access to the microphone.

Consider using a third-party app like Audacity (https://www.audacityteam.org/) for more advanced editing features. You can copy files to your computer to edit in Audacity.

Back up important recordings to cloud storage or your computer so you have a copy if your phone is lost or damaged.

Conclusion

In summary, the default recording format for Voice Recorder on Windows devices is MPEG-4 Audio. This advanced compressed audio format provides high quality recordings in a smaller file size compared to other formats like WAV.

MPEG-4 is an excellent choice for Voice Recorder’s default as it balances audio fidelity and storage space. While WAV files may offer slightly higher quality, the large file sizes limit practical everyday use for most users. The .m4a extension for MPEG-4 files also allows easy playback on most devices.

Overall, MPEG-4 Audio offers an optimal combination of reasonable file sizes, good audio quality, and widespread compatibility. Understanding Voice Recorder’s default format allows you to choose the best settings for your recording needs. With the ability to also save recordings in other formats like WAV or MP3, Voice Recorder provides flexible options to meet your requirements.