# Metadata
Platforms: desktop, server OS: mac, windows Introduced: 2.0 Security:
# Syntax
set the recordCompression to codecName
# Examples
set the recordCompression to "MAC6"
if the recordCompression is "raw " then requestAnotherType
# Description
Use the recordCompression property to trade off between sound quality and disk space when you record a sound.
The recordCompression property determines what kind of compress is used when you use the record sound command to record sound to a file.
Not all codecs are compatible with all supported sound file formats. If you try to record sound using a recordCompression that is not compatible with the file format specified by the recordFormat property, the compress type will be changed automatically to a codec that is compatible with the specified recordFormat.
You can obtain a list of available codecs using the recordCompressionTypes function. The default setting, "raw " (note the trailing space), indicates no compress will be used.
>*Note:* The answer record command sets the recordCompression > property according to what the user chose in the answer record > dialog box.
# Tags
# See
- **keyword:** default - **property:** recordFormat, recordSampleSize - **command:** answer record, record sound - **function:** compress, format, recordCompressionTypes - **control structure:** function - **glossary:** property, dialog box, command, codec, compress