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Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:42 pm
by hjanderson
I'm a longtime user having trouble for first time. I installed updated version 2,0.2, using exe. I use Windows 7

I record calls on skype using Callburner.....when I try to use the usual function of "opening" the resulting MP3 file, no wave form appears. Others on my team have been able to successfully open the same MP3 file using Audacity on their computer. So the MP3 seems ok. So why can't I open/import the MP3 file of recorded phone call? Thanks!

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:08 pm
by DVDdoug
Are you sure it's MP3? Can you play the file in Windows Media player? Audacity uses the Microsoft supplied MP3 decoder to open MP3s, and normally that "just works".

If it's a different format, you might need the optional FFMPEG library from this page.

In order to save (export) in MP3 fromat, you need the optional LAME encoder.

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:12 pm
by hjanderson
Recording is in MP3 format and I can listen to it via Windows Media Player.

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:26 pm
by steve
MP3s must be "Imported".
File menu > Import > Audio

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:10 pm
by hjanderson
Yes, I've tried that method repeatedly, no luck....It shows the file loading, but then all that displays is a flatline and can't hear any audio.....again, never had this problem before until this week.

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:30 pm
by steve
Try it with a different MP3, one that you know is good, just in case there is something odd about that particular file.

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:38 pm
by hjanderson
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not able to open any MP3 files thru importing them to Audacity or opening them thru Audacity. My most recent MP3 file was opened successfully via Audacity by a co-worker on another computer with no trouble at all. I appreciate any further insights you have. Thanks.

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:05 pm
by kozikowski
Do you get the blue waves but just can't hear it?
Koz

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 2:32 pm
by hjanderson
No waves show up at all. flat line.

Re: Trouble opening MP3 file into Audacity to edit it

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:37 pm
by hjanderson
Questions: Could malware be an issue? I did a scan and nothing showed up......also, should I try converting MP3 to another format before importing? If so, what conversion program should I use? Any other ideas? thanks!