New to the forums. Using Audacity 2.1.3.
I’m having problems working with an .mp3 file. The files are being created by an android app called ‘Voice Recorder’. I’m using it to record my sleep sounds. The Sample Rate is 8khz, Bitrate 32kbps, The file will play using any app on my Windows 7 machine. The recording time is between 8-10 hours. When I try to open it in Audacity, all I get is a ‘screech’ that lasts less than one second. Maybe I’m just being daft and the file must first be converted to a .wav file, but I thought .mp3 was supported in Audacity. If this is indeed the case, I could use some help on how to convert the .mp3 to a .wav. If this isn’t the issue, what am I missing? This is especially important to me, as I am suffering from insomnia, and am trying to determine whether or not I get any sleep at all on the nights where it seems I’m not sleeping. I snore like a freight train while sleeping, and was hoping that the ‘plot’ would reveal at a glance whether I’m snoring or not, vs. having to listen to an 8 hour recording. Thanks in advance.
Try selecting one of those “MP3” files with this page: https://mediaarea.net/MediaInfoOnline
That page will analyze the file and provide detailed information about the format. I’m guessing that it isn’t actually an MP3.
What does the page say?
Complete name : Recording_2.mp3
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42 (isom/mp42)
File size : 101 MiB
Duration : 7 h 19 min
Overall bit rate mode : Constant
Overall bit rate : 32.2 kb/s
ID : 1
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 7 h 19 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 32.0 kb/s
Channel(s) : 1 channel
Channel layout : C
Sampling rate : 8 000 Hz
Frame rate : 7.812 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 101 MiB (99%)
Complete name : Recording_2.mp3
Format : MPEG-4…… Format : AAC LC
Ah-ha! It’s an MP4! It’s an MP-4 (AKA AAC). …The current version of Audacity would probably give you an “invalid file” error instead of opening the file as “noise”.
Rename the file to .MP4
If you’ve already installed FFmpeg Audacity should open the file.
If you haven’t installed FFmpeg, download and run [u]ffmpeg-win-2.2.2.exe[/u] to install it. Now, Audacity should be able to open MP4 files. (You might have to re-start Audacity.)
Yep, that’s exactly it, and yes, I already had the codec installed. Odd thing about it is the android app has a selection for .mp3 and aac and it’s set to .mp3. No biggie, and thanks much.
I snore like a freight train while sleeping
If that’s the event you’re looking for, then this may work, but Voice Recorder creates intentionally damaged, restricted quality sound files in a very efficient, but lossy format. It’s intended for speech such as “Remember to take out the trash.”
Since they went this far with it, it’s natural for them to apply noise reduction as well, and that can suppress sustained constant sounds, such as snoring.
You may also find it’s handy to suspend the recorder over the middle of the bed (broom handle and tape?) so there is no condition where you are either facing or not facing it.
iPhones have two different recorders, Voice Memo that works like yours does, but they also have Music Memo which is high quality, no compression and good file formats (Download).
Good luck.
Koz