VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Rob Ellis]

I checked the archives before posting this.
The problems began when I started recording at 48,000 for better sound quality, instead of the usual 44,000. Then I downsampled the 48,000 recordings back to 44,000. I guess my computer got confused and now my Mackie Spike audio interface can't record into Audition. I have checked the mike and the equipment settings , all fine. Playback in Audition works fine. Recording input is the only problem. If I go to the Audio Hardware setup window and change the driver to Audition Windows Sound(instead of Mackie)
and change default output to Realtek 97 Audio(instead of Mackie Stereo), but keep the default input set on Mackie Stereo, then it will record. But to playback I have to go back into the Hardware setup and change the output port and driver back to Mackie. Not feasible.
I uninstalled and re-installed the Mackie ASIO driver downloads and downloaded the Mackie complimentary audio software Tracktion (which I had uninstalled several months ago because I like Audition better) and that seemed to fix it., until I tried downsampling from 48,000 again. Oh yeah and now all of my saved recordings (which were at 44,000) now sound like a chipmunk. So something with the downsampling is causing the problem. Is 48,000 too high of a sample rate to record at on a regular basis? HP computer w/Windows XP Media Edition, 6 months new, 2 GB ram so plenty of hard drive,Whew! Out of breath. Any suggestions?

[bobsouer]

Rob,

This seems like it's most likely a problem with your Spike drivers. Have you contact Mackie tech support?

Also, while it's true that 48K gives you a little more audio quality that 44.1K, it's not a very large difference. Why not return to recording in 44.1K mode, especially if that will let you work without this problem?

Another alternative might be to use a 3rd party program to do the file conversions, so you can leave Audition in 48K mode all the time. There are some free or very low cost alternatives available on the Internet if you search for them.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Deirdre]

Don't bother with the 48K sample recording.

We're not recording symphonies here-- voice doesn't need more than 44.1K.
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[tackerman]

--

[Frank F]

May I ask a simple question or two? Do you have any other audio editing programs? Is there a "mixer panel" for your Spike?

Check both of these areas. obviously one of them is locked into a unique mode. I had a similar problem when using two sound cards of different manufacturers on the same PC. One sound card would be set to 44.1 kHz, the other to 48 kHz, and 24 bit, and - oh it was fun - NOT!

In AA, there is an area called "Device Order", this might also be the culprit. Put the sound card you use most often at the 'first' position', and do not put any other audio device in the panel. This may make a difference.

48 kHz, 24 bit - is often used when creating audio for video. Programs such as Avid, Final Cut, and others (yes, Mac based) do not like 44,100 kHz, 16 bit audio. This is because they work natively with 48 kHz, and they do not tolerate multiple rates within the timeline well. O.K., they are picky - so am I... so what's new?

Although DB was bit over the top about her comment, she is right, UNLESS specified, 44.1 kHz, 16 bit, mono is the accepted rate for VoiceOver, and with the exception of stereo vs. mono, this rate is accepted as 'CD quality' audio. When compresing down to .mp3 format, think of what you use for most files you send... 128kbps, 44.1 kHz stereo or mono. Not to say that this is the best, but it IS the accepted bit rate and depth for MOST audio files.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Rob Ellis]

Thanks everybody. I uninstalled and re-installed again (as described in the first post) and things are running normally again. I have surrendered the 48,000 sample ideal .Maybe it was just my imagination, but I did think it sounded better. But not enough for all this hassle.
What if I decided to convert bit size, say from 16 to 8 (for voice messaging work)...does anyone know if that might cause similar problems? After all this
I'm afraid to try it even as an experiment.

[Frank F]

When converting in AA, use: Edit > Convert Sample Type. This will not change your sound card settings. It changes the file which is saved, but AA works in normally 32 bit mode (in Multitrack view) and whatever your sound card settings are in Edit view. The file which you work with in the Edit view is always a proprietary file for AA (normally a .wav type format). Only the 'saved' file will be different.

Good luck.

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[bobsouer]

Rob,

As you can probably tell, Frank is one of the kings of Adobe Audition.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Yoda117]

well he's definitely got my vote
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Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

[Jeffrey Kafer]

[Deirdre]

"Over The Top"?


He don't know me vewwy well, do he?
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DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[Donovan]

Maybe I can be the Adobe Audition Prince (probably more like the Jester), I've been using it since Cool Edit '96. Love it.
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Donovan

www.DonovanVO.com

[bobsouer]

[Jeffrey Kafer]

[Dave]