Garbled audio using condensor Mic.

[ketherk]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the help this forum gives.

Question: I just purchased a MXL V63M condensor Mic.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-MXL-V63M-Condenser-Studio-Microphone?sku=273157&src=3SOSWXXA
When I record into audacity and play back in audacity no problems. But when I export to create the MP3 my voice (although warmer) is slightly garbled and it's VERY annoying.

When I do the same test on my cheap Dixon MD1178, the sound isn't as rich but there is NO garbled voice at all.

I have the microphone mounted on a mic stand in the center of a fairly quiet room and I used a pop filter.

So based on this info is it the mic that's defective? Or am I overlooking something obvious?

Thanks!

K

[X Pat Radio]

The only thing I can think of right now is your MP3 settings.

[pwfenton]

Don't send us an ad for the microphone... send us an example of the audio. How would anyone be able to answer your question otherwise?

[ketherk]

Don't send us an ad for the microphone... send us an example of the audio. How would anyone be able to answer your question otherwise?

I should have sent the file - you're right but I figured part of it out.
Either way here IS a test file that I've chopped and shortend to spare you from the long download.
http://www.auto-forms.ca/musictest2.mp3

Here is the same test with No music and therefore no garbling
http://www.auto-forms.ca/nomusictest2.mp3

I believe X- Pat is correct. The problem is NOT the microphone.

The slight garbling (throughout the recording) happens because of the imported music and sound effects. Both of those are mp3 when they are imported and they are stereo tracks. My voice is a mono track.

When I export the whole thing as MP3 with those imported tracks I get garbling.

When I delete the effects and music and export just my voice - no garbling at all.

Any insight as to why this is happening? I use audacity for windows as the software to record the podcast.

thanks SO much!

BTW - I just listened to your pipe dreams podcast PW, boy did it crack me up. Great job!

K

[X Pat Radio]

What software are you using? What MP3 bitrate info are you saving as?

It sounds (I haven't listened to the audio) like there could be a mismatch in the sample rates from your music and your voice.

[ketherk]

What software are you using? What MP3 bitrate info are you saving as?

It sounds (I haven't listened to the audio) like there could be a mismatch in the sample rates from your music and your voice.

I am using Audacity with Windows XP.

Each track in audacity is at 44100 Hz (sample rate)
The default sample format is 32-bit float

i think you are right there is a mismatch.

I'm really showing my noob colors here...but I need the help...
when I check the properties of the mp3 music file I used, I see 256 kbps, 2 channels (stereo) audio sample rate 44khz

when I check the properties of the finished mp3 file expoted from audacity I see 128 kbps, 2 channels (stereo) audio sample rate 44khz

What should I do? All guidance is so much appreciated!

BTW - I'm listening to your podcast now X-pat. Nice! GREAT music.

K.

[Big Mike]

Well, it doesn't sound like compression, although it sounds like there might be some normalizing going on when it bounces down. There's a definite gain in the low e.q.

[X Pat Radio]

I would try recording your voice as a stereo track. I'm not sure what it could be.

Don't say your doing a photography podcast as well!

[ketherk]

Yup - yet another photography podcast :) ...woops too funny I'm listening to your photography podcast now. who knew? Very informative.

Gosh the world has many photographers.

any further advice would be most welcome.

Thanks

K

[ketherk]

The problem is solved, though I don't know if it was solved in the best way.

The problem was that in Audacity in the Prefs, under File formats the Bitrate was set to 128. All I needed to do was set it back to 256.

I'm guessing that if I import at a LOWER bitrate it's cool - but because the music and effects were higher than 128 I had a problem. Now I'm going to do some more noob research on sample rates and bitrates.

Thanks all

K

[X Pat Radio]

The problem is solved, though I don't know if it was solved in the best way.

The problem was that in Audacity in the Prefs, under File formats the Bitrate was set to 128. All I needed to do was set it back to 256.

I'm guessing that if I import at a LOWER bitrate it's cool - but because the music and effects were higher than 128 I had a problem. Now I'm going to do some more noob research on sample rates and bitrates.

Thanks all

K

As long as you find something that works.