Questions tagged [sound-quality]

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48 votes
15 answers
67k views

Are there any audible differences between 192 and 320 kbit/s .mp3 files?

I have friends that are very picky when it comes to mp3 bit-rate, and will always look for the 320 kbit/s version of a file. However, I have never noticed any differences, they sound the same to me. I ...
user avatar
37 votes
7 answers
15k views

Any reason not to convert WAV to FLAC and save some disk space?

As I understand the technologies, WAV is a raw, uncompressed format and FLAC is a compressed but lossless format. My research has shown that FLAC files "still maintain all the audio fidelity"src of ...
dgw's user avatar
  • 781
9 votes
3 answers
5k views

Why does higher quality audio have lower volume?

Anecdotally I've noticed that higher quality videos, whether be a 1080p HD video on the TV or a BluRay rip on a computer, the volume seems to be lower than a standard quality video. I've noticed this ...
user avatar
8 votes
10 answers
1k views

Does Izotope RX and similar software make the location sound recordist complacent?

I recently purchased Izotope RX and I am blown away by it's abilities to remove noise and hum and such from recordings. It really is as good as what people have claimed it to be! However, I just ...
Andre Feldmann's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
6k views

Do XLR cables wear out?

Is there any noticeable difference in sound quality if you use a new XLR cable instead of a well-used 10 years old one? I work at our local church and can borrow a cable from there to do some ...
Friend of Kim's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
27k views

In general, what's a good dB level at which to normalize my audio files?

I'm a musician who extracts a very wide variety of audio samples from different sources. I then layer and arrange these samples together within music software to orchestrate songs. When I save these ...
Pup's user avatar
  • 195
5 votes
2 answers
8k views

What impact does applying gain to a digital audio signal have on playback?

I'd like to know what role digital gain (volume) control has on logical and perceived quality. I do have knowledge about how audio is stored digitally but do not know how volume works beyond the fact ...
Raheel Khan's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
11k views

Is there sound quality loss in 6mm to 3.5mm TRS adapter?

I would like to know if there is any sound quality lost by using a 6mm (1/4th inch) TRS jack adapter to connect into a 3.5mm (1/8th inch) TRS slot. I would assume there would be some quality loss ...
Lakitu's user avatar
  • 211
3 votes
1 answer
84 views

What is the difference in controlling volume through the software application, the system, and hardware?

I remember reading somewhere that controlling volume through hardware was "better" than controlling through software. This begs a couple of more specific questions to me as someone who uses ...
DeepDeadpool's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
4k views

Should I use pedals for guitar effects while recording?

Is sound quality at all effected by using pedals before the interface, as opposed to recording a clean sound and applying effects in the DAW? I am using a Scarlett 2i4 interface.
Dakota Dutko's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
875 views

How is compression quality related to sample rate?

The higher the sample rate is, the better the compression quality will be. That seems to be the conclusion to draw from several dynamics plugins I've worked with that implement oversampling (in this ...
Michael Hansen Buur's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
942 views

Does amplification and De-amplification of a recording affect the quality?

I looked online and didn't find anything definitive, they all wanted to compare the source and changed data structures and listen for differences....which I would consider too subjective to yield any ...
kite's user avatar
  • 153
3 votes
1 answer
221 views

General/fundamental question about factors influencing audio quality

First of all, I apologize in advance for this question: this forum may not be a perfect fit for it, but it is the closest I could find on Stack Exchange. Furthermore, the 'How to Ask' posting ...
Anakhand's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

What makes low quality speakers become distorted when at high volume?

Specifically speakers for tablets, phones, and laptops. I purchased a tablet in 2014, I got a tutorial on how to perform a modification of the system audio file which me very grateful when comparing ...
myopicflight's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
620 views

Does sound lose quality if sped up and then slowed down back to normal speed?

I am trying to research and find whether audio quality degrades if sped up and then slowed back down to it's normal speed, on the one hand its shortening the track so there is bound to be a loss of ...
makertech81's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
75 views

Remove constant noise with Audacity

Looking for ways in Audacity to reduce noise from the following audio. The noise sounds like a constant "shhhhh" to me Previously removed high-pitch noise using the low-pass filter (...
Artem Kochnev's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is the quality of a DAC related to software implementation?

I am not an audiophile. I have heard many times that hardware X has good/bad DAC. The "has" signifies that DAC is a kind of separate chip inside it. As far as I know, DAC is an algorithm to fill in ...
5argon's user avatar
  • 318
2 votes
2 answers
500 views

Macbook's DAC vs external / in-speaker DAC

I notice there are more and more speakers accepting digital inputs (USB / optical). I never had a chance to listen to those myself, so I wonder how would you compare sound quality of macbook's DAC ...
Dannie P's user avatar
  • 121
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

MP3-format - how the quality is affected

I am developing an app based on soundphrases for android. I record a voice with my samsung galaxy SIII and then use audacity for making the quality better. Then this soundfile is exported as an ...
Björn Hallström's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Does an XLR adaptor provide higher quality audio?

I'm looking to purchase wireless lav mics and an audio recorder. Whilst searching for multi-track recorders I read that using XLR cables will provide better quality than regular connectors. https://...
Hannah's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
461 views

What' is the best piece of hardware to use for recording DJ sets? [closed]

I've been using a Macbook Pro with Audacity, via USB, to record DJ set's for a few years, but it's very cumbersome being the laptop is slow and old and frankly, I'm tired of lugging that thing around. ...
Sean's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
7 answers
5k views

Does converting an mp3 format audio file to m4a format makes audio quality better?

Does converting an mp3 format audio file to m4a format makes audio quality better ? I was just wondering if mp3 is lossy. How it can generate lossless m4a file after conversion. I know mp3 can be ...
Rakesh Chandra's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
4k views

How can I detect the sample and bit rate coming from my iPhone?

I want to experimentally prove that the iPhone can play 24 bit audio through the USB port (and also >44.1 sample rate but that is more trivial). How can I test this? I have a decent budget so a DAC ...
progressiveCavemen's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
9k views

Does sound quality increase if you play a video in High Definition? [closed]

I have a friend who always tells me to listen to his sound videos in HD, because, he claims, the sound quality will go up if you watch the video in HD. I've listened to the same video's in both HD ...
meed96's user avatar
  • 132
1 vote
1 answer
28 views

Best volume setting for audio capturing

I'm trying to capture audio from a phone on a PC sound card. What is the best volume setting for the phone to get the best quality? If the app on the phone that's producing the sound has its own ...
Themobisback's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
905 views

Are BRSTM files lossless?

Definition: .brstm is an audio file type that is commonly used on the Nintendo Wii and GameCube videogame platforms. Question: Is BRSTM a lossy or lossless file type? More Information: Although I'...
SarahofGaia's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

FLAC --bps setting real meaning

I'm going to grab some audio from DVD in best possible quality. My software supports FLAC encoder and lets me to choose various bit per sample settings for it: 8, 16 or 24. And I got confused. FLAC ...
truf's user avatar
  • 123
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Is there a way to increase WAV quality?

I have a WAV file with low quality. It cracks a little on some new Android devices. Is there a way (preferably a tool) to increase the quality of my file? I was thinking about maybe an interpolation ...
Z0q's user avatar
  • 113
1 vote
1 answer
40 views

Do all Focusrite Saffire range products use same inputs and outputs?

I'm going to buy my very first sound card, with an aim towards sound quality. I'm looking for both good 2+ inputs and outputs and nicely powered headphone output, since I'm not aiming to buy a ...
Glorious Kale's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
266 views

convert to mp3 or lower the samplingrate

I have a question regarding sound quality - its a question about whether I should choose betwteen two strategies where the purpose is to preserver good sound quality at the one hand - and to reduce ...
Björn Hallström's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
128 views

Panning/stereo problem with Denon AH-MM200BK headphones [closed]

I have a pair of Denon AH-MM200BK headphones and listen to music on my iPhone or Macbook Pro. When I listen to songs with them, the vocal track sounds off in the distance and quiet as do lead guitar ...
Andy Evans's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
5k views

For optimal 3-way sound: should passive speakers be connected to my amplifier/mixer, or to the crossover of an active subwoofer?

Currently I have 2 passive speakers connected in stereo to an amplifier (with a mixer). I am looking to introduce an active subwoofer into the system in order to produce more accurate 3-way sound in ...
Baumr's user avatar
  • 117
0 votes
1 answer
137 views

Can differences between high quality audio formats be noticed on low quality headphones?

Specifically, I'm looking at 640kbps AC3 and 1500kbps DTS. Will there be a noticeable or detectable difference when someone listens on cheap consumer headphones?
R S's user avatar
  • 127
0 votes
1 answer
22 views

"frame" terminology as used in Veed

Question is specific to how Veed.io uses the word "Frame". In its upload link after uploading there is a settings button at the lower bottom left where you can adjust Frames Per Second. ...
Pacerier's user avatar
  • 101
0 votes
1 answer
164 views

Is USB sound cards better than internal in terms of noise/interference?

When I bought my last sound card (for hifi-headphones) the store recommended me to buy a USB soundcard/DAC since internal cards are subject to electrical interference from everything else in the ...
jgauffin's user avatar
  • 101
0 votes
1 answer
127 views

How to make old recorded speech more clear

At first I should admit I have very limited knowledge about sounds and working with them. I have hundreds of old files, low quality recorded lectures, most probably recorded on cassette. Is there any ...
mohsenof's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
935 views

What is the difference between changing mp3 file extension to .wav and using a converter instead?

What is the difference between changing mp3 file extension to .wav and using a converter instead. I am speaking in terms of end result. I thought mp3 and wav were actual different formats, but an ...
Conk's user avatar
  • 3
0 votes
1 answer
497 views

3.5mm Audio Splitter - Diminished Quality?

I have an audio splitter plugged into the headphone jack on my desktop computer. It splits a single output to 2 different sets of headphones. 1 set is simple in-ear buds and the other is a studio ...
alexh's user avatar
  • 155
0 votes
1 answer
82 views

Looking for sound evaluation parameters

I have a collection of live recordings of very varying sound quality. I have graded them in a first pass (along with tagging them) but I'm afraid that evaluation was rather inconsistent. The grades ...
user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
66 views

Is it okay to increase the gain of the master stereo output if enough headroom is available?

Will I suffer any quality loss if in my sequencer (Cubase 10) I turn up the master stereo out volume to reach a certain minimum volume, if this works out without clipping (enough headroom present on ...
SQRCAT's user avatar
  • 123
0 votes
1 answer
49 views

Super wet reverbed instrument into a vibrato pedal

I would like to send a long-tailed-reverbed signal (guitar/violin) into an analog vibrato pedal. I'm talking about a 10 seconds decay reverb (or longer), and a vibrato with a rate way under 1 Hz. The ...
eyam's user avatar
  • 103
0 votes
1 answer
177 views

Low sound quality with Kontakt 5

I'm new to Kontakt, I've downloaded it today. But when I installed my first library (Symphony Series Brass Ensemble), and tried the samples, the sound quality was completely unacceptable. I tried ...
Leon's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Does a 64 OHMS Headphones require an amplifier? [closed]

I recently bought a pair of HD7 from Presonus (https://www.presonus.com/products/HD7) which are 2 x 32 ohms headphones. They sound good but not as good as I though they would. Would that be due to ...
Raphael Rey's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

How do I eliminate occasional loud pops from my studio monitors?

The background: I just purchased and installed my first studio monitors and connected them to my audio interface. I had to buy separate RCA(f)–1/4”(m) adapters, since the cable included with my ...
Walter's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
1 answer
329 views

What's the sound difference between blown out speakers and needing new foam?

I have a pair of beat up JBL MRV308's, however all the foam on the outside of each speaker is missing, and I suspect some of the speakers may be blown out (especially the top, higher-frequency ...
haxonek's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
485 views

Check if www.listentoyoutube.com provides exact audio copy

If this question do not belong to this site, please tell me where it belongs if you are kind. I need to download the exact sound clip of youtube videos, and I've been using this online site: www....
Santropedro's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Furman power conditioner - can I use with a power bar to expand my outputs?

I've been running my studio setup of about 15 - 16 pieces of audio gear (computer, monitors, mixer, etc) using a couple of surge protected power bars. I decided it would be a good idea to get a power ...
Johannes's user avatar
  • 475
0 votes
1 answer
477 views

best sound-quality - MP3 or WMA

Is there any difference in sound-quality between the following formats: MP3 WMA
Björn Hallström's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
40 views

Audio sample analysis - Comparing two audio samples, the original sample with a reproduction capture sample

Introduction I'm currently working on a project where I'm implementing a basic software phone, which connects two users. Since I'm implementing both server service and the client applications, I'm ...
Carlos Ferreira's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
142 views

BM-800 sound quality question [duplicate]

Ive got myself a bm-800 mic knowing i cant run it correctly. Just want to know if a phantom power supply will remove the hissing from the mic? If so will a Behringer UM2 Soundcard be fine? and do i ...
jonty fourie's user avatar