I have just started trying to transfer/digitise my MiniDiscs (I know, they are already digital but I can’t find a codec for them). I have found an audio to USB converter with optical input (Startech ICUSBAUDIO7D) so connected this to my MiniDisc player (Sony MDS-JE529) optical output. My first recording was orchestral and the result sounded OK, although I don’t have perfect, or even good, pitch. The second one had vocals and these were clearly pitch sifted up. I then noticed that both recordings showed as shorter time than the MiniDisc player displayed - 46’03" v 49’53" and 56’56" v 61’47". a quick calculation showed this as the same difference between 44.1 and 48kHz sampling. MiniDisc is supposed to use 44.1kHz. It looks like it is recording samples at 44.1 kHz but then treating it as 48kHz to replay. What do I need to change to correct this? Audacity is version 3.6.4 and PC is using Windows 10. So far I have failed to find any settings to alter. I have tried but this doesn’t seem to be the correct way although it sort of worked. Google search says the project sample rate shows in bottom left corner - but it doesn’t. Help please!
Try changing the Audacity project rate to 48kHz before you record
The samples on the minidisc may be 44.1kHz, but your USB converter could be 48kHz
Try changing Audacity between 44.1 and 48kHz (Audio Settings). The USB device might be “confused”. But I’m not sure if that will fix it.
Sometimes that happens with optical because in only sends audio data, the data only goes one-way, and it’s not always “measuring” the data rate. Whereas USB communicates both ways and it can communicate the sample rate (and other information). That’s why recording at a different sample rate MIGHT NOT fix it… Everything on the USB-side will agree with itself…
If all else fails, use the Change Speed effect (and don’t worry about the sample rate).
You tried what?
They’ve changed some things - Click the 3 little dots to the left of the waveform and then select Rate.
This is probably the answer, the USB converter needed changing to 44.1kHz. I finally found the following link in Audacity help: Recording with USB turntables or USB cassette decks - Audacity Manual which showed it was a Windows problem, not Audacity. Following the advice in the manual, it has all come good and was easy to find the setting (unusual for Windows!).
Thanks to you both for your replies.
This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.