Audacity questions

[Exalted Erick]

Just recorded a new test file, using 50% mic volume. Still static on YouTube.

[Exalted Erick]

Give up, Steve?

[steve]

Could you record a short sample into Audacity (just a few seconds) - Export it from Audacity as a WAV file and as an MP3 file. Upload the MP3 to YouTube to see if it shows the same problem, and if it does, upload the WAV file to a file sharing site such as http://www.yousendit.com/ (you don't need to register to send a single file) and post a link on this forum.

[Exalted Erick]

youtube.com/erickcolletti - MP3

http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/2/15/ ... inging.wav

Both MP3 and WAV sound fine on my computer and in Windows Media Player or QuickTime Player. The hiccups are only online (YouTube, MySpace Music). Another YouTuber has the same problem, so it's not just me. My guess is something to do with the file-conversion process they're using.

[steve]

http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/2/15/ ... inging.wav

What's the noise at the end of the file?

I'm not getting crackles on the MP3 version, though the sound quality is pretty poor.
What web browser are you using?
What speed internet connection do you have?
Is there any reason why you need to use YouTube rather than another on-line distribution method?

[Exalted Erick]

Oh, white noise from Audacity, 'cause sometimes the last few seconds of music get cut.

It's more hiccups than crackles. What do you mean pretty poor sound quality? It sounds okay on this end, except for the hiccups, but they're minor.

Was the WAV version any better?

Internet Explorer 7.
Dial up.
MySpace and YouTube offer a lot of exposure. What's a better place?

I've done everything I know how--reduced mic volume, played with bitrates and settings--nothing works.

[steve]

What do you mean pretty poor sound quality?
....
Was the WAV version any better?

The WAV version is noticeably better sound quality than the MP3 version.
I don't use YouTube much, but it's clear that there has been a substantial reduction in sound quality due to MP3 compression. It may be worthwhile search Google for tips on how to optimise sound quality on YouTube. Off the cuff I'd say to start with the best quality sound you can get, then hope that YouTube does not mess it up too much.

It's more hiccups than crackles.

I suspect that may be due to not getting the data down your dial up connection fast enough. Can you check it out on a computer with broadband?

[Exalted Erick]

No, I can't test with broadband.

The only noticeable difference between the MP3 and WAV version is that the WAV version is much larger.

The hiccups/static are only online.

I send the file to some people, and they say it sounded amazing; then I send the same file to other people, and they say there's too much static.

Dial up or my phone line is probably the culprit.

[steve]

You're using Audacity 1.2.6 ?
If so, could you either install Audacity 1.3.7 (no need to uninstall 1.2.6 - you can have them both as long as you only run one at a time)
Instructions for installing Lame for Audacity 1.3.7 are here: http://audacityteam.org/forum/posting.p ... =12&t=9082
or
Get a standalone MP3 encoder - I recommend "Lamedropxpd" available from here: http://www.rarewares.org/mp3-lamedrop.php (it's free)

I've a few ideas that you can try, but they involve experimenting with different MP3 settings, and that's a pain to do in Audacity 1.2.6

[Exalted Erick]

The DAW isn't the problem. I tried Microsoft Sound Recorder and Cakewalk, and a couple MP3 encoders...same problem. The problem isn't my speakers or microphone, either. It's an online-only problem. That means it must be either dial up or my phone line. It's not a YouTube or MySpace problem, because I tried a third-party media player, and the hiccups/static were still there.

I've tried all bitrates and most settings, but throw me some ideas, and if I haven't tried them, I will.