Struggling with one specific mp3 file

Prasinaki wrote on 1/12/2017, 8:52 AM

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro Plus (2017)

I make wedding videos. For a wedding I'm working on I got an mp3 file from the sound console guy at the ceremony venue, which sounds much better than the audio I picked up myself that day.

The mp3 plays fine in the editor but on export is very crackly/poppy. The other mp3 files within the video (music etc) export fine.

After some trial and research, I have deduced that the problem probably lies with the mp3 being only 64kbps. (48khz). I've noticed that my video usually exports with an audio bit rate of around 162kbps.

I've tried exporting with different kbps and hz settings. Altering the volume, declipper etc, but nothing made a difference.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 1/12/2017, 5:44 PM

. . . . problem probably lies with the mp3 being only 64kbps. (48khz) . . . .

You are correct - the bit rate is too low.

Bit rates for mp3's are usually range from 96 to 320 kilobits per second (kbps).

For reasonable sound quality an absolute minimum bit rate of 128 Kbps sound quality should be used, however 162 kbps will match the project better.

The sound guy has probably reduced the bitrate of the audio to get a smaller file size - a common trick if being sent by email - but no good for the quality.

. . . . Any suggestions? . . . .

Ask the sound guy for an mp3 with the bitrate of 162 kilobits per second (kbps) minimum.

HTH

John EB

Prasinaki wrote on 1/13/2017, 12:17 PM

Thanks John

So I checked with the sound guy, and he told me that they choose the bit rate before they start recording, and purposely keep it low to produce smaller files. So no joy there.

Then I downloaded this https://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/ ran the file through it and increased the bit rate to 128 then opened my project again, and hey presto - all fixed.

I read that increasing the bit rate can actually decrease the sound quality, but I thought I'd try it anyway and see. I didn't notice any difference, so I'm happy with it.

Thanks for your help.

Tamim

johnebaker wrote on 1/14/2017, 1:59 AM

Hi Tamim

. . . . I read that increasing the bit rate can actually decrease the sound quality . . . .

It is actually the reverse, lowering the bitrate or sample rate will produce a harsher sound.

See this article.

Please to hear that the problem is fixed.

John EB