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Podcast Quality & File size

Submitted by Crossius on April 11, 2007 - 7:41am.

Hey guys

I note that you have reduced your podcast to 32kbs without a noticeable loss in quality. How?

I start of with a decent quality file 192kps and the original file is good. If I would reduce it to that level it sound like the tin man. Also I see no difference in file size when I save it as a mono mp3 verses a stereo mp3.

So how about some advice on this area?

By the wave we use Goldwave to edit files.

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Quality In, Quality Out

Submitted by Rob Feature on April 11, 2007 - 9:57am.

Hey Crossius...
Thanks for the question...This is an area I love to talk about but I have a feeling you may not like or fully believe my answer. Here goes:

The key to quality after compression is a high quality source file. Yeah, I know...you feel like your source file is good quality, but if it sounds bad after compression, it's not. I'm not defining quality in the technical quality of the file (bitrate, etc) but in the audible and frequency quality.

First, our huge advantage is that I'm actually a professional audio producer. Over the years I've learned thousands of tricks and techniques to record a file that will compress well. Add to that the fact that we're using a couple of mics that cost about $500 each and a professional hardware recording system (Pro Tools) that costs $3k, and you'll start to see why we can get a good sounding 32kbps file. Quality in, Quality out.

Unfortunately, most folks who are not professional audio people assume that digital audio is digital audio...and that recording into cheaper software will yeild as good of a file as recording into pro software, but it's just not the case. Trained ears can hear a huge difference between cheap software and expensive software/hardware.

When you compress a file, the rule is that the worst qualities will come out. Things you may not hear in your audio at high quality will come out at low quality. The fewer of these things that are in your original the better your compressed file will sound.

Ok, all that may sound depressing. You're not going to spend $5k on gear just to get a better sounding 32kbps file. And, to a point, it is depressing, because that helps alot. The best thing you can do is learn about audio EQ and audio compression (not file compression). These will help your audio quality before compression and yeild a better sounding file.

As far as the mono/stereo thing, I'm not sure what's up with that. It's possible, I think, that your file may be mono to start with (without you knowing it), so you're not losing any size when you rip out the other side. I'd have to see it to know what's up.

So, I didn't want that to come out all ego-sounding...hopefully it explains things better...and my point is: Don't feel bad, most likely you're not doing anything overtly wrong...you just don't have the training and gear advantages in the audio realm that we do, and thats 99% of the reason our 'cast comes out with the quality it does.

-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.bobchristenson.com

Audio Quality

Submitted by Jason (not verified) on April 11, 2007 - 4:47pm.

I can completely understand how having good equipment from the top can yield better results on output, but a lot of us are dealing with whatever equipment we can get our hands on. I have just started a sermon podcast and was completely appalled by the sound feedback that I got, so I've reworked everything and the tests so far have been positive.

I would like some help in figuring out what sample rate I should be working with to get the most out of the audio feed I'm grabbing from the soundboard.

Also, if this has been covered in a previous podcast, please point me to it. I've been listening for a couple of months now. Perhaps a good feature if this doesn't exist already is "how to get the best recording out of a mediocre setup." :)

-Jason

Some things...

Submitted by Rob Feature on April 11, 2007 - 5:24pm.

Hey Jason...
I totally understand...Its really frustrating to use sub-standard gear to get a good sounding track. Here's a few tips on getting better audio:

  • If recording to a computer, never use your soundcard's input. I don't care how good you think it is or the company says it is, it will sound bad when you record through it. Instead, pick up a USB or Firewire audio interface made specifically for recording.
  • Use balanced cables. Always use XLR mic cables plugged into an interface with XLR inputs...unless you're coming out of a mixing console, then most likely you'll be forced to use 1/4" connectors. Keep your cable runs short. Make sure if you're coming out of a mixer you're recording interface is set to "line in" and if using a mic directly, use "mic in".
  • A cheap mixer will kill you. A bad mixer will make bad audio. I know, you probably can't buy your church a new mixer...just be aware that the preamps in your mixer can be a big limitation if they suck.
  • Use a CD burner if you don't have a good computer input. Stand alone CD burners aren't super cheap, but they're easy to use and have high quality/pro inputs.
  • Watch your levels. If your signal is too hot it will sound bad...if it's too weak it will sound even worse. To keep your signals in an acceptable range, look into how to use an audio compressor.
  • EQ is more important than you can imagine. If the source audio is EQd poorly, that will be blown out of proportion when it's compressed. Unfortunately, EQ can only be done well by ear...there is no meters to watch and get a magic solution...training is HUGE here. Listen to other professional audio when EQing your audio and compare them...see where yours sounds different and change it
  • Mics are pretty important...though not as important as other things. Most wireless mics are 'good enough' and wired mics are OK as long as they're not from radio shack or something.
  • If you're recording to a computer, you should be recording uncompressed AIFF or WAV files...never anything else (then, these master files should be what you convert to your low quality MP3 from). If you're recording at least 16bit, 44.1khz audio (which is now considered oldschool) then don't think about it any further...if this is good enough for 100% of the CDs ever released, it's good enough for your podast. Don't worry about spending the extra bucks for 24bit or 96khz gear...unless your rich or you're a pro, there's no reason.

Hopefully some of those help. Unlike computers, audio is purely an art form. People want a concrete answer, but there really isn't one. It's impossible to learn to record good audio in a day or a week...It takes time. So stick with it, constantly tweak your recordings, and focus on improving a little at a time.

-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.bobchristenson.com

Audio In

Submitted by Jason (not verified) on April 11, 2007 - 5:59pm.

I'm totally with you on the external recording. I am using a laptop right now and the audio noise from the onboard was atrocious!

I went and bought a USB "soundcard", although it's very simple. Specifically this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...

I am going to be setting up a new pc for the A/V booth and was looking at an M-Audio Delta-44. Would that make any difference over what I have now.

By the way, thanks for the great tips!
-Jason

Audio Interfaces

Submitted by Rob Feature on April 11, 2007 - 6:42pm.

Hey Jason...
The iMic is a nice little product, but it's not great for more professional sounding audio. The key, that many folks miss, is that even though you might think of these interfaces as a computer product, they're actually more in the realm of an audio product (it just happens to plug into a computer). The reason this is important is that the good or bad sound quality comes from the onboard analog/digital converters in the device. The better the converters are, the better the sound will be. Audio manufacturers, not computer manufacturers, are the ones to trust when it comes to converters.

Griffin and M-Audio are both comptuer companies. M-Audio is, sorta an audio company, but not really...they're more a computer audio company. They make amateur gear and it's usually just so-so.

My first question would be: do you really need a 4in/4out box? If not, I'd stay away from them...you can get a higher quality 2in/2out for the same money.

The best thing you could do for your quality would be to buy an interface from an audio manufacturing company. Companies like Digidesign, MOTU, Lexicon, and even Tascam are solely audio companies. Many of them are just getting into the computer game, but their product is going to be head and shoulders better than a computer company's. (usually they make high end gear, then make a 'dumbed down' consumer version...but because of their expertise, the product is miles ahead of computer manufacturers). The same thing goes for software...you're going to find that the audio manufacturers make better audio software than anyone in the computer business.

So afterall that, here's a couple products to check out. I've never used any of them, but I trust the names behind them, and they'd be solid products.

past podcast series on podcasting

Submitted by Matt Farina on April 11, 2007 - 8:57pm.

If you're looking for the basics we did a series on podcasting. You can find the episodes at http://www.geeksandgod.com/pod....

The first episdoe was on recording and the second was on editing. The two topics in this thread.

Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mattfarina.com

Great Job

Submitted by Crossius on April 12, 2007 - 5:39pm.

Now that's what I call comprehensive.

Thanks guys you are doing a great job.

_________________
My name is Maximus Crossius, Leader to the youth of the South, General of the Cross Clan, loyal servant to the true God, Father to wacky kids, husband to a confused wife, and I will have my earl grey, in this life and the next.

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