Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

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Peeb
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Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:24 pm

Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Peeb »

Clip sounds just fine in mixcraft, but when I mix it down to mp3, I get a weird sound at the beginning of the clip. Right at the VERY start there's just this odd orchestral 'doink' for a second. Here's an example:

https://soundcloud.com/peeb13/march-1-2015

How do I NOT do this?
Peeb
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:24 pm

Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Peeb »

Problems does not replicate when mixing down to wav, by the way.
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AHornsby
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by AHornsby »

Peeb wrote:Problems does not replicate when mixing down to wav, by the way.
How do you know this? (The only way to tell is to inspect the *.wav waveform.) It's a normal thing to allow 2 seconds of silence on a track prior to any sound signals. You might try adding some space at the beginning of your tracks and then render.

(Having noticed that effect too, sometimes, I have had similar problems and hack at things until I usually find out that it's something I did inadvertently. :) )
Peeb
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Peeb »

AHornsby wrote:
Peeb wrote:Problems does not replicate when mixing down to wav, by the way.
How do you know this? ... )
I know because I can hear it when I make mp3 files, but I cannot hear it when I use the exact same mixcraft project and make wav files.

In hindsight, the sound it pretty much identical to the last second of the recording, as if the 'loop function were engaged and sounding for a milisecond before starting over.

Why would that be? Same in both mixcraft 6 and 7 btw.
Peeb
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Peeb »

Eureka! It WAS the loop setting. When I disengage this, the mp3 mixed down normally.

This seems to be a bug- but it is easily avoidable now that I know what to do.
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Acoustica Greg
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Acoustica Greg »

Hi,

MP3 files make terrible loops. This is because the MP3 format allows for other data in the header of the audio file. This is why Mixcraft comes with Ogg Vorbis loops. Your best bet for loops are WAV files if file size isn't a concern or Ogg or WMA if you want compressed files.

Greg
Peeb
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Peeb »

Acoustica Greg wrote:Hi,

MP3 files make terrible loops. This is because the MP3 format allows for other data in the header of the audio file. This is why Mixcraft comes with Ogg Vorbis loops. Your best bet for loops are WAV files if file size isn't a concern or Ogg or WMA if you want compressed files.

Greg
I've been exporting to either wav or ogg with fine results!
Anorax
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Anorax »

Greg, does FLAC /Ogg FLAC allow looping in the manner that vorbis or wav does?
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Acoustica Greg
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Acoustica Greg »

Hi,

Ogg does. I don't know about Flac. My guess is that they would loop well. MP3 is kind of an old and messy format. It just also happens to be one of the most widely used and supported formats.

Greg
ben808
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by ben808 »

I have had the same issue and discovered that the playhead should be returned to the start of the track before mixing down, then the noise at the start is not there, it's like an echo of wherever the playhead is at which is why for me it seemed fairly random and non-reproducible.

Hope this helps someone! :)
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Acoustica Greg
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Re: Odd noise at start of mp3 mixdowns

Post by Acoustica Greg »

Hi,

That shouldn't make any difference. Make sure you've got version 9.0 build 452 or higher.

For anyone experiencing this problem, read this post.

Greg
Mixcraft - The Musician's DAW
Check out our tutorial videos on YouTube: Mixcraft 10 University 101
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