Hissy mp3 quality

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
1

Are there any tips on improving the quality of MP3 that Audacity creates? My original interviews were recorded on a high quality machine as a WAV. I then did my edits in Audacity on the WAVs and there was no hiss. However, when I export my final edit as any MP3, it is really hissy. I am creating a Soundslide using the Audacity audio.

Any pointers?

Many thanks!
Anne Marie

2

If you want perfect quality, don’t use MP3. MP3 is lossy.

If you must use it, click Options… when you export:
[mp3opt][/mp3opt]

Either increase the bit rate (Quality) for Constant Bit Rate (which makes the file larger) or try Variable Bit Rate instead.

If the discussion is stereo but you don’t need stereo, use Tracks > Stereo Track to Mono. Mono will give better quality for the same bit rate because the bits have less work to do.

If that does not help, perhaps there are sibilants in the discussion that you need use Low Pass on before export. Post a sample of a few seconds in WAV that sounds bad when in MP3. Please see here for how to attach files: https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/how-to-attach-files-to-forum-posts/24026/1


Gale

3

Thanks for this advice! Will give it a go. I think I need to use an MP3 for Soundslides.

4

Hi there - was just going to make the alterations you suggest when exporting audio and realised that I think the correct options are already ticked. ie constant bit rate and joint stereo. The other options ticked are 128 kbps and the variable speed is fast. I think it is just when it gets mixed into an MP4 actually and NOT an MP3 that it goes rubbish. The quality of the final Soundslides material on the web is not good. But when I make a CD copy of the Soundslide from my PC it is okay. Maybe I should ask Soundslides team?

5

What version of Windows and Audacity? See the pink panel at the top of this page.

Soundslides does appear to only accept MP3 input (if you have a WAV, they convert it to MP3 for you).

So are you exporting from Audacity as MP3 and then converting to MP4 in the Soundslides video converter?

The trouble with that is that it is two lossy conversions. Frankly I would expect WAV input in a paid for app.

If that is what you were doing all I can suggest is that you choose the highest MP3 quality in Audacity (Constant, 320 kbps) and if they let you configure it, the highest audio quality in the MP4 converter (whatever converter you are using).


Gale