In this article, we look at how to compress and decompress files on a Mac and the ways you can do that with different formats.
- Steps to Compress Video Size Easily and Quickly Step 1 Open Best Video Compressor. Download and install Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) on your PC/Mac, then open it and choose the Video Compressor tab. Step 2 Select a Video to Add. Then you click the + sign or Document icon to add videos. Click it to choose a video from your computer.
- For Mac users, it is important to find great software that would help you reduce the size of your images. One such great software is iResize which works exclusively on Mac. If you own a Mac and want a top notch software that helps you compress your images.
RAR vs. ZIP files: What is the difference?
Everyone knows what a ZIP file is. Once you've made a folder, you click on File and scroll down to “Compress “[file name]” and that turns whatever folder you’re compressing into a ZIP file.
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Wherever you send it, whether someone is using a macOS device or Windows — or other operating system — a ZIP folder can be decompressed and opened. It is one of the most convenient ways to send large files in a single folder, usually through email or messenger platforms.
Some email systems, such as Gmail, limit the file size, so if something is too large they convert the contents into a Google Drive folder. And ZIP folders can be uploaded and shared using file-transfer systems and cloud-storage solutions.
Easy, right?
Yes, in most cases — unless the files have been corrupted or for some reason the receiving computer can’t decompress them — ZIPs work everywhere, on every device. ZIP files can be created and decompressed using native macOS systems that have worked this way since the file format was created.
One of the reasons ZIPs are so easy to create and unzip is they proprietary software was released into the public domain in 1989. Making ZIPs open-source, so that every operating system creator in the world could bake this into file formatting. Hence, how useful ZIPs are and why most people use them for sending and receiving large files on Mac’s.
A RAR file, on the other hand, is a little different.
RAR files are, in many ways, more secure. RAR files are a proprietary archive format (file prefixes usually look like .rar). RAR files are named after the Russian developer who created this format, and it stands for: Roshal ARchive files.
RAR files also benefit from being able to compress much larger amounts of data. It is said they can compress up to one billion gigabytes (also known as an exabyte). They compress and transmit more quickly. RAR files are more secure, can be password protected (as can ZIPs) and even encrypted, using AES-256 encryption.
How to compress and decompress RAR files on a Mac?
RAR files are more complicated to compress and decompress.
With RAR files being the result of proprietary software, you need to download software to create and decompress RAR files on your Mac. Apple’s Archive Utility does not support RAR, so you need to find another way to work with these files.
One option is The Unarchiver, a free third-party macOS app.
With this, a MacPaw app, you can open RAR on Mac. It’s times more powerful than the native macOS utility and supports infinitely more archive formats. Download and install The Unarchiver. It’s free and there is no need for in-app purchases. Now whenever you want to send or receive a RAR file, use The Unarchiver to compress and decompress these files. It really is as easy as that! Over time, ZIP and RAR files can take up space. This can slow your Mac down. Or maybe you’ve lost a file and want to find it again. We've got a solution for those problems.
How to find your hidden archives?
Sometimes we download an archive, unpack it and then forget to delete the archive. Over time, they occupy more and more space and clutter up our hard drive. Here is a tip on how to find and delete ZIP, RAR and other files that you don't need anymore.
- Firstly, get CleanMyMac X (Download a free version here)
- Now click Large & Old files
- Next sort the results by Archives: this will show hidden and forgotten ZIP and RAR files;
- Either delete or unzip/decompress them and free up some space.
As you can see, I’ve found 6.6 GB worth of archives on my Mac.
Something else CleanMyMac X can do is find hidden files with the Space Lens feature. This way, you can more easily find what you've been looking for. It’s also a convenient way to clear out files that are taking up too much space when they're not needed anymore.
CleanMyMac X is a useful Mac performance improvement app. It can get your Mac running as good as new again. Creating more space and improving how other apps and the operating system performs, with maintenance scripts and other handy tools.
Download Rar Archiver For Mac
Sometimes, having big audio files is not necessary for you to enjoy your music and other audio entertainment in the best way possible. While it is true that audio files that are presented in its native format and size can provide the best listening experience for you, it is usually quite impractical for people in general.
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Most people want to have the best experience with their music and other audio entertainment without having to store big audio files on their computer. This is where audio compression software becomes necessary. This software can help you to compress big audio files into smaller file size without losing the quality. It means that you can store more audio files in your device and still get the best experience from them.
Monkey’s Audio
Monkey’s Audio allows the compression of your audio files bit by bit, which means that it won’t discard the quality of your music just to save some space. The compression time is quick, and the software is easy to use. It features efficient compression, perfect sound, support for popular media player software, error detection, tagging, and external coder support.
WavPack
WavPack is an advanced audio compression software that provides the hybrid lossless compression technology, with a completely open audio compression format. The features included within the software are PCM audio format compatibility, multi-platform support, DirectShow filters, file verification, assembly language optimization, and unique hybrid mode. It is compatible with various Windows, Linux, and Mac audio software.
Advanced Audio Compressor
This software allows you to compress your digital audio files into various popular formats, including MP3, OGG, AAC, and WMA, which can help you to save space in storing your audio files. Aside from converting your digital audio, this audio compression software can also convert your video into audio format. It offers various features, including audio compression engine, hundreds of video and audio codecs, video to audio converting, audio sampling rate, preview compression results, and batch compressing.
Audacity
Audacity is an open source audio editor software, which can be used as an effective audio compression tool to convert your digital audio into MP3. It can be used to record live audio, record computer playback, convert tapes into digital recordings, edit sound files, mix sounds, and compress your digital audio. The software is available for various platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Audio Compressor and Limiter
This is a Java-based audio compression tool which uses a real-time audio compression and brick-wall limiter technology. You can set various parameters for your desired output audio file, including compressor input gain, threshold, ratio, attack, release, gain reduction, make up the gain, limiter threshold, limiter release, limiter gain reduction, and level. Since it is a Java-based software, you need to have the Java Runtime Environment installed on your system before using this software.
Other Audio Compression Software for Different Platforms
Some audio compression software is available for various platforms, but some others are available only for specific platforms. It is important for you to use only the software that is compatible with your platform. Also, you should take a look at the software requirement before installing, since some audio compression software may require you to install additional software in order for it to work properly.
Switch Audio File Compressor
This software offers a great functionality to convert and compress your audio files into other file formats of your choice. It supports all audio file formats, and it allows you to compress sound files quickly, convert audio files in batch, and extract audio from video files. It features music tags, audio extraction, MP3 encoder, and audio normalization.
xACT for Mac
xACT (X Audio Compression Toolkit) is a flexible audio compression tool for Mac, with a simple GUI and powerful compression functionality. It supports all audio formats, and it can also be used for cutting and joining your audio files. This software features powerful compression for all audio file formats, as well as drag-and-drop compression.
MP3 Compressor
MP3 Compressor is a simple app that you can use to compress your MP3 files easily. This app is available for Android devices, and you can choose the bitrate that you want to use for your output MP3 files. It features bitrate selection, sample rate setting, support for various audio formats, compressed audio playback, and social media sharing.
Mac Compress With Password
WAV Audio Compressor
Wav Audio Compressor is an audio compression software for Linux, which offers lossless audio compression for your audio files. It allows you to compress your audio files without losing the audio quality, while reducing the file size to about 40% of the original size. The software is simple and easy to use, which gets the job done really quickly.
dBpoweramp – Best Audio Compression Software of 2016
This is an audio compression software that offers lossless audio compression and CD ripping functionalities. It offers various file formats, including MP3, FLAC, M4A, Apple Lossless, Wave, and AAC. It features MP3 converter, batch convert, high speed conversions, DSP effects, and simple user interface. The CD ripping feature allows you to securely rip your CD and keep all the meta information intact.
What is Audio Compression Software?
Audio compression software is a type of software that allows you to compress your digital audio into various formats, while reducing its file size. The software can be used for either personal or commercial purposes. Some audio compression software may offer lossless compression while other software may offer standard compression. The lossless compression is the compression technique that allows you to reduce the file size of your audio files while retaining the audio quality, whereas the regular compression is the compression technique that allows you to reduce the file size of your audio files while reducing the audio quality as well. The audio file output for the lossless compression is usually bigger than the regular compression, but the quality is always better when you choose the lossless compression as compared with the regular compression.
Compress Files Mac Os X
How to Install Audio Compression Software?
Before installing the audio compression software, make sure that you meet all the hardware and software requirements. Since audio compression may require a lot of CPU usage, it is recommended for you to use a high-performance device to run the software. Installing the software is as easy as downloading the installation file from the official website and run the installation file in your device. Be aware that some software may only be available for specific platforms.
For music fans and people who enjoy listening to audio entertainment regularly, keeping small audio files is necessary, since high-quality audio files can cost a lot of space in your storage drive. By compressing your digital audio into small audio files, you will be able to save some space in your drive, allowing you to store and enjoy more music and other audio entertainment. A good audio compression software can really help you to get the job done since it allows you to reduce your audio file size, while retaining the audio quality. In other words, you will still get the high-quality music without having to waste a lot of space to store them.