Dropout Detection on WAV Load

[[email protected]]

hi,

I loaded 2 sets of stereo WAV files into a new Audacity project and upon close inspection, there were several dropouts in the tracks.

Track 1: 3 dropout on the left track
Track 2: 1 dropout on the left track

When searching for a resolution to this problem, i came across the dropout detection setting, which is enabled, but the dropouts weren't marked. I assume they weren't marked because I didn't use Audacity to record the WAVs.

Question: Is there a way to scan a track and look for dropouts?

Thanks,
John

[steve]

I assume they weren't marked because I didn't use Audacity to record the WAVs.

That's correct - Audacity's drop-out detection is only active during recording.

Question: Is there a way to scan a track and look for dropouts?

If the drop-outs are long enough, you may be able to detect them with "Silence Finder": https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/silence_finder.html
This will only work if the drop-outs created silences that are sufficiently long. Some types of drop-out don't create silences at all, in which case the most effective way is to listen for clicks.

[[email protected]]

Thank you!

The dropouts were longer than the minimum 0.1 seconds that silence finder allows, so this should be a great approach.

Thanks
John