What must be done to WAV files due to their large size when dealing with multi-channel recordings?

In the context of multi-channel recordings, WAV files can become very large due to their uncompressed nature, which typically leads to significant data storage requirements. To manage these large file sizes more effectively, compressing the WAV files is the appropriate action. Compression helps reduce the overall file size, making it easier to store and transfer the audio without compromising too much on audio quality.

Data compression formats, like those used for audio files, can maintain sufficient sound quality while reducing the amount of data that needs to be handled. This makes working with multi-channel recordings more feasible, especially in environments where storage space is at a premium or when transmitting files over bandwidth-limited connections.

While WAV files can be left uncompressed for high fidelity, the impracticality of handling large files in many scenarios makes compression the wisest choice.