Large MP3 file. Want to add like track skips

cambb

Hi,

I have several large MP3 files like 2 hours long that i would like to add say 40 minute breaks in. I run 3-4 times a week and use a a apple watch but it doesnt have the facility to fast forward so I only get to listen to the first say 40 minutes and never the rest. Ive downloaded Audacity but not sure what function to use to add the gap breaks? Thanks

bob_a_builder

Not sure about adding gap breaks
But
You could use Audacity to split the file into sections, I do that to split audio books into manageable sections

Import file into Audacity 
Press Ctrl-B - It will add a new track, you will see a little symbol you can drag to set the length of 1st section
Press Ctrl-B you will get another marker you can drag
Repeat that process as many times as required
Then its File | Export | Export multiple 

Thats the basics of it 

facade

Just cut the large file into smaller parts and export them as separate files e.g. big noise p1, big noise pt 2.

Load the file, find the break point, around 40 mins, then highlight the section, export selected audio, choose mp3 & bit rate (you need to have the lame encoder if you can't select mp3) name the file and done.

You could then cut selected audio to lose the first part and repeat- DON'T save it though!

 or

You can type the start & end points manually for the next section and repeat.

droopsnoot

I have a similar issue, and unfortunately I don't think MP3 files support "chapter marks" so you can easily skip to the next section. I have a few recordings of live gigs that I'd like to have in my car MP3 player, but unfortunately that puts a gap between each track so it ruins the recording.

B0bbyEwing

Hmm I was interested in this kind of thing myself as I have many files that are hours long but I'm not too happy with the suggestions for what I want. 

I'd like to keep my file as the file. 1 file but sections that can be skipped. Not chop it up in to many smaller files.

I would've thought this could be done so I'm actually surprised it doesn't seem so. 

facade

MP3 files don't support chapter markers.

AAC files do.

There is be a free program that converts a large mp3 into aac and can add chapters to it, "Chapter and Verse" by Loden software.  But it needs quicktime, and AFAIK, windows hasn't supported quicktime for many years.

cambb

Actually the file format is M4a therefore could i add chapter markers

Username03725

I've done the same with MP3 files of radio shows that I'd like to be able to skip through, breaking out music tracks and the presenter. Facade (above) has provided the best answer. Use Audacity to repeatedly extract each block of audio from the start using start / end select then cut & paste into a new track, exporting each one as an MP3 as you go. You should get into a rhythm of going from the [new] start point to the relevant cut-off for each track. Audacity prompts you to enter the relevant audio properties (title, track no, genre etc) so as long as you keep on top of the file naming and number each block that you export as an MP3 with an incrementing track number you'll be fine. 

Put aside a reasonable amount of time to do it without rushing, and before you start take a copy of the source (original) file and put it somewhere out of the way, so that you have a fall back if it goes pear shaped.

facade

cambb said:

Actually the file format is M4a therefore could i add chapter markers

Yes, search for "drax chapter editor" it isn't drag & drop, you have to open the file- set it to all files (it defaults to M4V).

It should do AAC as well as M4A

You can't examine the file, only add chapter points and name the chapter, so you need to have written down the chapter timings if you are bothered.

The only player on my pc that recognises the chapters is mpv, (groove, media player and VLC don't take any notice).