I have tried everything, changed export format to wav 24, 32 etc etc, normalised the audio before exporting etc etc, tried using m4a library too, used flax too, but the audio when I play in the audacity application is crystal clear and when I hear the exported WAV or MP3 or FLAC or M4A, it sounds muffled each time although loss less etc etc is used, is there really no way left to solve this old problem? Please kindly really help…
I am recording podcast/educational content using live AI voice Changer/enhancer, using professional mic but there seems no way of getting the exact studio audacity audio quality, in the export be it any 44100/48000/ stereo / mono whatsoever default project settings etc etc have read all the previous posts and did everything, couldn’t find the solution it’s sad
What about when you re-open the exported audio in Audacity?
The exported WAV or FLAC should sound identical as long as you’re not going over 0dB and clipping (distorting).
Audacity uses floating-point internally so it won’t clip but most formats can’t exceed 0dB and will clip. (And in any case it’s "bad practice for your final production to exceed 0dB.)
If you run the Amplify or Normalize effect with the defaults as the last step before exporting, that will bring it down to a safe level.
And if you enable View → Show Clipping in Waveform it will “show red” for clipping, or potential clipping if it goes over 0dB before you export.
using live AI voice Changer/enhancer
I can’t help you with that. Maybe AI isn’t smart enough yet or maybe try a different AI.
using professional mic but there seems no way of getting the exact studio audacity audio quality
I don’t know what you’re comparing to but Audacity is capable of pro studio quality if you have a good microphone, a good audio interface, and a soundproof studio. The recording software doesn’t make any difference (as long as it’s working properly). A lot of people use Audacity for audiobooks and most of them get by without a soundproof studio. But noise is usually at-least a small problem that has to be dealt with. (Sometimes it’s a big problem.)
Once you start applying effects, different software will sound different.
Thanks for all your suggestions, I will try to follow them word by word, if it fails I will get back to you. Thanks for quick reply, if it works then also I will get back to you.
I speak on the mic, the AI changes my voice in real time and in the background audacity records my changed voice live. This audio while editing sounds crystal clear perfect beautiful. But as soon as I export and Play the exported MP3 or lossless WAV or FLAC it sounds dull even if I increase its volume, even if I use VLC, instead of Windows Media Player
I bet not. I bet Audacity is getting your raw microphone voice and the AI is playing your corrected voice to the speaker or headphones. It keeps correcting it as long as you’re editing, but then gives up when the Project turns into a stand-alone sound file.
I bet if you defeat the AI and make a simple recording of your voice, it sounds dull. I think you should spend a bit of time with the AI instructions.
Your analog-to digital converter can’t go over 0dB.(1)
If you clip during recording it can’t be fixed. (There is an effect that “tries” to fix it, but unclipped wave height and shape cannot possibly be known.)
Lower the recording volume and leave headroom. Low digital levels aren’t a problem (unless it’s WAY too low) and Amplifying after recording doesn’t hurt anything.
If you do some kind of processing in Audacity (boost the bass, etc.) it might go over 0dB and that CAN be fixed with the Amplify or Normalize effect. (With the defaults, either effect will adjust the volume up OR down for 0dB peaks with Amplify or -1dB peaks with Normalize.)
Note that this is regular (peak) Normalization. Loudness Normalization can push the levels into (potential) clipping and you have to be careful with it.
(1) There are a FEW stand-alone recorders and audio interfaces that record in floating-point so they can go over 0dB without clipping. (I don’t know if the interfaces are compatible with Audacity.)
When I imported the same exported dull sounding audio into Audacity, it sounded the same as in the project!! How come this magic happened? You were right But then how to solve this issue? Now the exported file and original studio sound the same quality only when played inside audacity. Because when I exported the audio to my phone even then it sounded dull from the phone speaker as was before. How should I proceed now
There is probably an equalizer setting (or other setting) in your player application altering the sound.
Try to find the EQ settings or try another media player app.
(I assume you are using the same computer, soundcard, and headphones or speakers so there are no other variables.)
Windows also has some “enhancements” (maybe depending on your version of Windows) but those would have the same effect in Audacity. And sometimes the computer or soundcard manufacturer supplies a utility that includes EQ or other enhancements/effects. Again those would also affect audacity.
I didn’t predict an outcome, I just suggested the experiment.
But then how to solve this issue? Now the exported file and original studio sound the same quality only when played inside audacity. Because when I exported the audio to my phone even then it sounded dull from the phone speaker as was before. How should I proceed now