Saving and export

PCM formats are supported via Erik de Castro Lopo's libsndfile.

Ogg Vorbis

Ogg Vorbis is an extremely high quality perceptual audio codec and is free, open and unpatented. Independent tests have found it to be of higher quality than non-free codecs including MP3, WMA and MP3pro -- hence, Ogg Vorbis is Sweep's preferred codec for final export.

Figure 3-4. Ogg Vorbis export

This dialog shows the default Variable Bitrate encoding mode, in which a simple "quality" slider from 0 to 10 allows the Vorbis encoder to vary bitrate depending on the characteristics of the file being encoded.

Sweep can remember your encoding options for you, or allow you to use sensible defaults at any time.

Speex

Speex is a special purpose speech codec, designed for efficient Voice over IP (VoIP) and file-based compression. It is free, open and unpatented.

Figure 3-5. Speex encoding

MP3

Sweep can load MP3 files, but it cannot export them due to patent restrictions.

Figure 3-6. MP3 export