How to Export in 1.3.7 ?

[steve]

which is still offering AVS rather than Audacity 1.3.7

If the download of Audacity does not start automatically, use the "direct link" on that page rather than clicking on the adverts.

If you use Firefox web browser with "Adblock plus" installed, you can avoid the adverts altogether, though this may deprive Sourceforge from some much needed revenue.

[Gale Andrews]

No the problem is that when you go to
EXPORT the file there is no choicel mp3
wav in any window -- you only see the Tag
/Labeling window.... The problem with mp3 encoding with 1.3.7
is still there -- even with the RC2 version now
available. . . .

1.3.7 *is* out

1.3.7 Beta is most definitely out. The Windows builds are here:
http://audacityteam.org/download/beta_windows#recdown

If it still says 1.3.6, then the page is cached - just refresh it. We recommend everyone to subscribe to receive occasional e-mails from us when we release new versions of Audacity. To subscribe, go to the bottom of our home page:
http://audacityteam.org/#announce

enter your e-mail address and click "Add".


Metadata Editor

The Metadata Editor now comes first before choosing the file name or the export format:

(a) because we thought that was more logical
(b) because it was the simplest fix to an overwrite problem we had

This problem occurred if you import a WAV file reading directly from the disc (which is the default choice on the Import / Export tab of Preferences), then export it to the same file, so overwriting it. If you do that in 1.3.6 (where the Metadata Editor comes *after* choosing the file name and the overwrite prompt), then cancel the Metadata Editor (so cancelling the export), the file you imported is deleted. Also, the project is silenced (because the file it was reading from no longer exists).

We still have this overwrite problem with export multiple, so the advice is if you want to overwrite uncompressed files, set the Import / Export preference to "make a copy".

If we get majority feedback that the Metadata Editor coming before the "Export File" dialogue is confusing, then we can probably change this and defer overwriting of files until after the metadata is confirmed. However, the metadata editor does not stop you getting to the Export File dialogue - just OK the Metadata Editor, or stop it popping up altogether by unchecking "Show Metadata Editor prior to export step" in the Import / Export Preferences .


AVS Editor
As regards AVS Editor on our SourceForge downloads pages, please see:
http://www.audacityteam.org/forum/viewt ... 500#p34381


Gale

[darobin]

I will try that -- but man, is that confusing -- I think
it's preferable to have the format list come up first. . .

[darobin]

OK, I see now how to do it -- but
please in future, we need this to
be explained up front and on top!

[steve]

but
please in future, we need this to
be explained up front and on top!

The documentation should be just about complete by the time that Audacity1.4 (stable) is released. Audacity 1.3.x is beta software, which means that it is being actively developed and is still evolving, so there is of necessity a delay between new features and the documentation of those features. (The alternative is that the beta versions would not be available until the documentation is done, but then the documentation would not be done because the Audacity users that write the documentation would not have the software to write the documentation about. Chickens and eggs come to mind.) One of the exciting things about using beta software is discovering the new bits, but if that does not suit you, then there is the 1.2 (stable) version available which should avoid many of the surprises.

[kozikowski]

<<<(Is your page cached by any chance Koz?). >>>

Yes.

Koz

[TSMusic]

I just tried 1.3.7. First it makes you download the newest Lame (3.98.2) to do an MP3 file. It will not work with any older version.

HOWEVER...the MP3 warbling and distortion that I had prior to going back to Lame 3.96, is now back. I don't have a lot of time to fool with it tonight but I'll work with it tomorrow. I can post samples if anyone is interested.

Tony

[Gale Andrews]

I just tried 1.3.7. First it makes you download the newest Lame (3.98.2) to do an MP3 file. It will not work with any older version.

This is noted in the accompanying README and on:
http://audacityteam.org/download/features-1.3-a

The reason is that we were using the old Blade API and had to change to the LAME API. It just was not possible otherwise to solve issues with the bit rate mode, bit rate and reported length being wrong, and to get the metadata tags seen by as many players as possible (many of which have quite different requirements which have to be accommodated).

HOWEVER...the MP3 warbling and distortion that I had prior to going back to Lame 3.96, is now back. I don't have a lot of time to fool with it tonight but I'll work with it tomorrow. I can post samples if anyone is interested.

By all means post a file, but information on the project rate and the sample rate of the track(s), and the exact options set in "Specify MP3 Options" will be essential. Thanks for your help.


Gale

[TSMusic]

By all means post a file, but information on the project rate and the sample rate of the track(s), and the exact options set in "Specify MP3 Options" will be essential. Thanks for your help.
Gale

Okay. The source file is a 24 bit 44,100 stereo WAV that was exported out of Cubase. Just for reference here is that file, saved down to 16 bits (to cut download speeds). For all 3 examples it's first 1 minute 5 seconds of the song.

http://www.tonyseomusic.com/miscstuff/a ... t16bit.wav

This is the 1.3.7 export. The MP3 settings for both files was Constant 128 kbs

http://www.tonyseomusic.com/miscstuff/a ... st-137.mp3

The warbling and distortion really get's noticeable around the 40 second mark.

I removed 1.3.7 and restored my backup of 1.3.6 (something said that backing that up first was gonna be a real good idea). Using the original 24 bit WAV file, I then exported this copy

http://www.tonyseomusic.com/miscstuff/a ... st-136.mp3

Note how much cleaner it is than the 1.3.7 export.

Tony

[Gale Andrews]

I removed 1.3.7 and restored my backup of 1.3.6 (something said that backing that up first was gonna be a real good idea). Using the original 24 bit WAV file, I then exported this copy... Note how much cleaner it is than the 1.3.7 export.

I found a little evidence on the internet of similar opinions:
http://hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofiver ... 55372.html

and can hear that the 1.3.7 export is (to me) marginally inferior. But to be blunt, it should be obvious that track is far too tough to MP3 encode at such a low bit rate and using CBR instead of VBR as well. There is too much fine detail too close together in timbre and pitch.

Someone else has made a similar comment about poor quality 128 kbps MP3 export in 1.3.7, and I'll hear his files, but note the suggestion in the link above - use a sensible bit rate and VBR if you want to use MP3 on "difficult" material.

That said, there is no technical reason (I'm aware of) that would prevent us rebuilding (using the same LAME API) with 3.96, subject to us not losing any of the gains with correct exports and compatible metadata that have been made with 1.3.7. I suspect we may take the view "wait for it to be fixed in a later LAME version", but we'll get back to you when we have a bit more evidence.

Thanks again for the test files.


Gale