I’ve been using Audacity for years without any problems but came across this today where the sound quality is poor, sounds like a low bit rate or something. I don’t know how to describe it which is why I’m posting the link to an example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3rDAYVVZVc&feature=youtu.be
I couldn’t get a .wav to be small enough for a :06 clip.
I’m running Windows 8.1
Audacity version 2.0.5
I got it from the .exe installer
I realize this may not even be an Audacity issue, but don’t know what to call audio that sounds like this-all weak and almost “flangey”. The source is fine, actually good quality and I tried a few different sources.
I have my quality preferences set as follows:
48K
32bit float
Best Quality (Slowest)
TriangleBest Quality (Slowest)
Triangle
If nothing else, if anybody could tell me what this sound is called, or even point me in the right direction, I’d appreciate it.
Check if the Windows Enhanced Services is turned on. Its purpose is to suppress air conditioning and other room noises during voice conferencing. It will drive music nuts.
sorry, I should have been more clear that I am NOT using a mic source at all. This is from recording via sound card from web or even from existing audio files on my hard drive that play fine.
Yes, that’s just it-simply importing/opening a known good file in Audacity and just playing it back with not even exporting it sounds hollow. “Hollow” is the best way to describe it.
My sound card says it’s good and I’ve updated the drivers.
Very mysterious. Might not even be an Audacity issue, I realize. Just grasping for any solutions at this point.
ok, just got a new discovery. It is probably not Audacity itself as this happens in it as well as another sound recording program, but thought I’d post here to see if any one has any ideas.
There’s some audio on line I want to record. I’ve done this often enough before in Audacity and never had any problems. I do so by selecting the “Stereo Mix” and it records directly from the web through my soundcard to Audacity. As previously mentioned, when I do this, even just simply play it back without even exporting the file, it sounds very hollow.
HOWEVER, I tried playing the same audio from the web out of my PC (line out), which goes into my Stereo Amp, which then goes back into my PC (Line in) and when I record that using Line In in Audacity, it is fine! So, it’s a “Stereo Mix” issue, but probably not an Audacity issue per se as it happens the same in the other program too.
That contradicts what you said though, that a known good file plays with a hollow sound. If it was a playback effect, a recording from line-in would be affected when you play it.
I suggest you right-click over the speaker icon by the system clock, then choose “Recording Devices”. Right-click over “Stereo Mix” then choose “Properties”. Then look on all the tabs for some effect or enhancement that might be causing this. Also look in the Windows Control Panel in the sound card’s own control panel.
sorry, perhaps I didn’t explain it well, but there’ s no contradiction, as what you quoted me saying is exactly what happens. If I play an audio file from my hard drive, OR from the web, and I choose Stereo Mix I get the hollow sound. If I play it via my PC’s line out (which goes through a stereo amp) and back to the line in on my PC and use the Line In in Audacity, it’s fine. I tried this with a couple different websites with audio.
I also went though the properties under Stereo Mix as you suggested, and tried “restore all defaults” and nothing changed.
So, I believe it’s my PC’s soundcard, more specifically, quite possibly a recent driver (or other) update. As you probably know, Microsoft has had a few of these lately and I also realized this happened last Thursday night from something I had recorded then.
I very much appreciate your assistance and advice. Just having someone at Audacity be trying when it’s most likely not an Audacity issue makes me like the program even more!
I meant just play the known good file without recording it, to test if it was a playback problem.
If you have “Beats Audio” as in that link, the problem may be hard to solve.
Assuming you have a branded computer like Dell or HP, ideally you want the latest Windows 8.1 audio drivers obtained from your computer manufacturer’s web site.
Occasionally, if the built-in sound device is just “bad”, downloading a generic driver from Realtek or using a generic driver by Microsoft “may” give a better result than the driver offered by the computer manufacturer. That should be thought of as “last resort”.
There is a workaround avoiding stereo mix which may be more convenient than a cable (assuming the playback signal is OK).
In the first (Host) box of Device Toolbar, choose “Windows WASAPI”.
In the second (Output device) box in Device Toolbar, choose the Speakers or Headphones that you are using for listening.
In the third (Input device) box in Device Toolbar, choose the (loopback) input for the same device you chose in step 3. For example, if you chose “Speakers” in Step 3, choose “Speakers (loopback)” in this step.
In the fourth (Input Channels) box in Device Toolbar, choose mono or stereo.
I meant just play the known good file without recording it, to test if it was a playback problem.
ah, got it. sorry. yes the known good file plays back ok.
If you have “Beats Audio” as in that link, the problem may be hard to solve.
unfortunately, I do have Beats audio.
Assuming you have a branded computer like Dell or HP, ideally you want the latest Windows 8.1 audio drivers obtained from your computer manufacturer’s web site.
Yes, it’s an HP with Windows 8.1 and the drivers are updated.
There is a workaround avoiding stereo mix which may be more convenient than a cable (assuming the playback signal is OK).
Open Device Toolbar .
In the first (Host) box of Device Toolbar, choose “Windows WASAPI”.
In the second (Output device) box in Device Toolbar, choose the Speakers or Headphones that you are using for listening.
In the third (Input device) box in Device Toolbar, choose the (loopback) input for the same device you chose in step 3. For example, if you chose “Speakers” in Step 3, choose “Speakers (loopback)” in this step.
In the fourth (Input Channels) box in Device Toolbar, choose mono or stereo.
Start playing the audio you want to record.
Press the big red Record button in Audacity.
YEAH! This worked! Mine was on the MME and when I switched it as above, it was good. I tried it back and forth and that was it.
Thanks tons, Gale. You win tech supporter of the year!