Good evening,
The operation mentioned as subject was easy to realize with older versions of Audacity because when I was recording on a new track, if the other tracks weren’t muted all sounds (the new recorded one with those of all already recorded and unmuted tracks) were recorded together on the new track. So it was easy to “merge” a text that somebody has read into the microphone and a background music recorded in an other track. With the 2.1.3 version (downloaded as .exe, under Windows 7 Professionnal) it doesen’t work like that.
In the same Audacity project I have one speech track and one music track and I would like to export a combination of both tracks under the MP3 format. How can I do that ?
Many thanks for any idea.
Regards
Pierre
I think I see what’s happening.
Most people consider auto mixing a defect because there’s no way to filter or correct the voice without messing up the music.
Audacity will automatically mix any active tracks into a finished show when you export a sound file. I believe it ignores all the muted tracks.
That means you can check the quality of the music and voice independently, make corrections and then Export.
Audacity really likes Exporting to WAV (Microsoft) and that’s recommended as an archive of the work since re-editing an MP3 isn’t recommended.
MP3 is a little chore because Audacity needs you to add software to get there. That’s what the Lame software does. Scroll down.
http://www.audacityteam.org/download/windows/
Koz
Many thanks Koz,
When you write “when you export a sound file” you mean that two or more tracks are contained in the same file, I suppose ? So I haven’t to merge my (two) sound tracks into one before the export ?
As far as the format is concerned, I intend to use my record in a Sony walkman designed for MP3 or MP4. Would it be better, in any way, to export in the Wav format and from wav into MP3 ?
Thank you in advance
regards
Pierre
So I haven’t to merge my (two) sound tracks into one before the export ?
The Audacity export process will merge for you.
I intend to use my record in a Sony walkman designed for MP3 or MP4.
All my personal recorders except one can produce perfect quality WAV sound files of my work. MP3 is not recommended for production.
MP3 quality 128 sounds perfect and is fine if all you wanted to do is listen to it. But Audacity has to make a new MP3 when you get done with your production mixing and even if you do it at 128 quality, the actual quality of the sound could be as low as 64 which is the low limit of MP3 stereo sound. Some listeners will be able to hear honky, wine-glass voices and other compression damage.
The first time someone makes a new MP3 for their personal music player, you’re dead. That copy will almost certainly have sound damage.
Making a WAV after production doesn’t reverse the damage. It only stops the damage from getting worse. Production MP3 is a time bomb.
I’ve never used my MP3 recorder. I sometimes look at it.
Koz
I think I missed a beat there.
Making an MP3 for listening in a personal music player is how it’s supposed to work. That’s the end product, not a step in the middle. Stick with the best quality available for production and archive.
Koz
“320kbps and 96000” will sound worse than 320kbps and 41000Hz.
With the former you are wasting precious bitrate on inaudible sound.