Resampling Quality vs Consolidate vs Individual Track Export

[Chicago312]

I am looking to export samples in the best quality but noticed a few differences in export styles.
I was wondering what would be the most efficient workflow to export the highest quality samples when working with single sound sample .wav files. Thank you

I have a bass .wav sample file that is 2,425kb in size. When I place the file into Ableton, and resample the file into an audio track (without any effects), I search for the new file in explorer and noticed the file size is reduced down to 1,984kb. I thought it was an exact copy? What quality am I missing out on?

I went a step further and consolidated the clip and it decreased in size even further to 1,888kb. What does consolidating really do to the quality of the file? ie. If I resampled a clip vs resampling a clip AND consolidating it, what would be the difference?

Ultimately, if I am looking to resample a .wav file like a bass, a snare, a clap, change it, add effects, etc. -> Should I be then consolidating? Resampling to a audio track? Conduct a full export on each track? Which one? Thank you for your input.

[pottering]

https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/audio-fact-sheet/

Recording internally below 32-bit is not neutral.

https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/audio ... low-32-bit


Consolidate is not neutral.

https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/audio ... onsolidate


If the sample was a different sample rate or bit depth than Live is set, then it can change the sound too.

For example if the "bass .wav" was a 96KHz 32-bit file, but you have Live set to 44.1KHz and 16-bit (in Preferences).

https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/audio ... nsposition