Recording Storage Calculator
Sample rate + bit depth + channels + duration → file size. Plan storage capacity for field recording, multitrack sessions, or broadcast.
Storage Calculator
File Size
Storage Capacity Planning
How much recording time fits on available storage at your selected settings:
Recording Time per Available Storage
Uses 90% usable capacity (filesystem overhead). FLAC/ALAC estimates assume 55% of WAV size. MP3 is constant bit rate.
Quick Reference
Recording time for common scenarios at 48 kHz / 24-bit:
Available Recording Time
Audio Recording Storage Explained
The Formula
File Size (bytes) = Sample Rate × Bit Depth / 8 × Channels × Duration (seconds)
Example: 48,000 × 24 / 8 × 2 × 3,600 = 1,036,800,000 bytes ≈ 989 MB/hour stereoCommon Scenarios
| Scenario | Settings | 1 Hour Stereo | 1 Hour 8-Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD Quality | 44.1 kHz / 16-bit | ~606 MB | ~2.4 GB |
| Video/Broadcast Standard | 48 kHz / 24-bit | ~1.0 GB | ~4.0 GB |
| High-Res Music | 96 kHz / 24-bit | ~2.0 GB | ~8.0 GB |
| Field Recorder (MP3 320) | 48 kHz / 320 kbps | ~144 MB | N/A |
| Dante 64-ch Stream | 48 kHz / 24-bit / 64ch | N/A | ~32 GB |
Format Notes
- WAV / BWF: Uncompressed PCM. Broadcast Wave Format adds metadata (timecode, originator). Use for archival.
- AIFF: Uncompressed PCM, Apple/Mac standard. Identical size to WAV. Preferred in Logic Pro / macOS workflows.
- FLAC / ALAC: Lossless compression (~40-50% smaller). FLAC universal; ALAC for Apple ecosystems. Decode to identical PCM.
- MP3: Lossy. 320 kbps = transparent for most; 128 kbps = speech/podcast only. Not for multitrack.
- 32-bit float: Files are 33% larger than 24-bit, but allow gain adjustment post-recording without clipping.
Storage Media Overview
- NVMe SSD (USB 3.2/4, Thunderbolt): 256 GB–8 TB. Best for field multitrack — silent, fast, no moving parts.
- Portable HDD: 2 TB–8 TB. Cost-effective for archival / less critical sessions. Verify write speed ≥ 100 MB/s.
- SD Cards: Only for handheld recorders (Zoom, Tascam, Sony). UHS-II V60/V90 minimum for 24-bit multitrack.
- Test before gig: Fill storage, verify sustained write speed, check for bad blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my actual file size different from the calculation?
WAV headers add ~44 bytes. BWF adds more metadata. Some recorders pad to block boundaries. The formula gives raw PCM data size — actual files are ~0.01% larger. For MP3, VBR (variable bit rate) varies by content complexity.
Should I record 32-bit float?
32-bit float files are 33% larger than 24-bit but capture everything from silence to clipping without setting gain. Ideal for unpredictable sources (film dialog, nature, live sound where you can't soundcheck). If you can set gain properly, 24-bit is fine and saves space.
What's the difference between BWF and WAV?
BWF (Broadcast Wave Format) = WAV + standardized metadata chunk (originator, originator reference, date, timecode, coding history). All professional recorders write BWF by default. The .wav extension is used for both. BWF is backward compatible with standard WAV players.
How do I calculate for multitrack with different track lengths?
Calculate each track separately (channels = 1), then sum the file sizes. Or use the "Add dB" concept but for bytes: just add the sizes. This tool assumes all channels record the same duration.
Does sample rate affect MP3 file size?
No. MP3 file size depends only on bit rate (kbps) and duration. 320 kbps MP3 at 44.1 kHz = same size as 320 kbps at 48 kHz. The encoder resamples internally if needed. For WAV/FLAC/AIFF, sample rate directly affects size.
Recommended Storage & Recorders
Reliable gear for professional recording:
- Samsung T7 Shield / T9 — rugged NVMe SSD, 1–4 TB, USB 3.2/4
- SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD — 1–4 TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2
- OWC Express 1M2 — Thunderbolt 3/4, NVMe, 1–8 TB
- Sound Devices MixPre-6 II — 32-bit float, 8-ch, SSD + SD
- Zoom F6 / F8n Pro — 32-bit float, 6/8-ch, SDXC
- Tascam Portacapture X8 — 32-bit float, 8-ch, touchscreen
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