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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: DiggerinVA on January 23, 2012, 05:40:04 PM
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Well I have searched a bit and must not be able ask the search the right parameters to get my needed return.
I just got a PMD 661 to replace my PMD 660. So I am going to need to convert from 24 bit 48khz to 16 bit 44.1khz. So the question is what is the perfered software to do this. I am a minimalist and cheap (poor may be a better term) also I am running a dual P3 866 with a gig of RAM. So I am asking the humans.
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If you are looking for a cost-efficient solution, I would recommend the free version of R8Brain. It's resampling is top-notch and dither is 'good enough' for most. I've never heard anyone complain about using it for both, however I only personally use it for resampling.
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Voxengo's r8brain (http://www.voxengo.com/product/r8brain/) is probably your best bet for a simple bit and sample rate converter that does nothing else. Free and good. I believe Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) will also convert bit and sample rate for you, too, but it is a full DAW,
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I asked this same question also recently at another forum and the consensus was iZotope for resampling and dither. I now use iZotope RX 2 Advanced. Settings for the dither and resampling can be found @ the BootlegZone Forum. The software if you look hard enough can be had @ the :veryevil: Hope this is helpful to you.
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Also, SoX (http://sox.sourceforge.net/) (available for free) has a very nice resampler. Keep in mind that it's a command-line utility, though; you could write scripts or batch files to help you do the work. Here is a guide to resampling with SoX. (http://sox.sourceforge.net/SoX/Resampling)
You can run it on Windows, Mac, or Linux (it's cross-platform).
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Another vote for the SoX resampler, which is also available as a configurable plugin for foobar2000 (letting you avoid command line issues).
I've found foobar2000 to be the best tool for manipulating my high-res source material. I master, track and archive at native resolution and then have set up presets in foobar2000 to a) convert 24/96 flac to 16/44.1 flac and b) convert 24/96 flac to 24/48 mp3 (24/48 mp3 play fine on my iphone, etc.) I've created presets for each. Paired up with the Live Show Tagger adon (which parses a show's text file into metadata), foobar2000 is my go-to program for audio housekeeping. I even run it under wine on my macbook . . .
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I'll vote for Sox, it's free and quality (http://src.infinitewave.ca/) when used properly.
I personally prefer Izotope's stuff (disclaimer, I'm a fanboy), and I think it's worth it's price tag when it's bundled with other plugs, but there are occasions when other bills (e.g. new mics), and in those instances the freebie Sox is a nice stand in.
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Voxengo's r8brain (http://www.voxengo.com/product/r8brain/) is probably your best bet for a simple bit and sample rate converter that does nothing else. Free and good. I believe Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) will also convert bit and sample rate for you, too, but it is a full DAW,
What do you mean by full DAW? Not familiar with that acronym. I've used Audacity for resampling and dithering and it has worked well.
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Voxengo's r8brain (http://www.voxengo.com/product/r8brain/) is probably your best bet for a simple bit and sample rate converter that does nothing else. Free and good. I believe Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) will also convert bit and sample rate for you, too, but it is a full DAW,
What do you mean by full DAW? Not familiar with that acronym. I've used Audacity for resampling and dithering and it has worked well.
Digital Audio Workstation
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Also, SoX (http://sox.sourceforge.net/) (available for free) has a very nice resampler. Keep in mind that it's a command-line utility, though; you could write scripts or batch files to help you do the work. Here is a guide to resampling with SoX. (http://sox.sourceforge.net/SoX/Resampling)
You can run it on Windows, Mac, or Linux (it's cross-platform).
here is another useful, taper-specific guide that I put together for SoX:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138652.msg1846224#msg1846224 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138652.msg1846224#msg1846224)
As has been mentioned, I second the recommendations for either SoX or Voxengo's r8brain.
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here is another useful, taper-specific guide that I put together for SoX:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138652.msg1846224#msg1846224 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138652.msg1846224#msg1846224)
I didn't see these before.... I'll have to try them out! Thanks Jason!
Terry
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If your primary listening is 16/44, you might consider just running at 24/44 so you only have to dither, and not also convert sample rate.
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I run 24/48 all the time and use Audacity for everything. I haven't dug into dithering deeply and don't know what is the best software for that purpose but Audacity seems to do it well enough for my needs.
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Thank You1
Sounds like I need to play with Audacity some more since I have that and really cannot seem to find out how in the help files. The R8brain sounds like it is up my alley. I still am not sure what happens with Foobar and live show tagger (getting closer) also I could not find the sox as a addon sounds real good once it is figured out.
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Sox for Foobar2000 can be found here:http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=67373
What issues are you having with the foobar live show tagger? I've had a few solutions over time.
1) if it's pulling the wrong text file (sometimes I've had it pull ffp info in), try renaming the wrong file to exclude the txt extension.
2) If it's pulling artist and venue info but not track names, it could be that the tracks aren't numbered in the text file. Live show tagger needs to have track numbers next to each song, if track numbers aren't included, try adding them.
3) If it's pulling info correctly, but all tracks are labeled with the track info for the first cut, you need to assign track numbering to each of the tracks, this can be done by running the auto track number script under the tagging options.
Finally, since live show tracker doesn't put the venue info into the album field (and none of the players I've used recognize the custom field it creates, my last step is to select all freshly tagged shows, and copy the venue info tag into the album tag. I also amend the venue info to best suit my needs -- i.e. I'd change "Paramount Theater, Portland, OR" to "1992-12-15 Paramount Theater, Portlant, OR - FOB mk4"
Semi off-topic, but feel free to follow-up with questions.
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If your primary listening is 16/44, you might consider just running at 24/44 so you only have to dither, and not also convert sample rate.
I agree with Brian. This is what I did even though I used to record at 48kHz in the DAT days. This is much easier IMHO.
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If you use Audacity, you can export as 16 bit wav. Just change the sampling rate to 44.1 in the drop down in the bottom left corner before you export. It's simple and it's how I did over 100 shows I've processed.
I just recently started posting everything 24/48, which is another option.
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Anyone use Soundforge? I've got SF9 and it seems to work well.
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If you use Audacity, you can export as 16 bit wav. Just change the sampling rate to 44.1 in the drop down in the bottom left corner before you export. It's simple and it's how I did over 100 shows I've processed.
I just recently started posting everything 24/48, which is another option.
just make sure you set the dither options in the Preferences first, and remember that it will always dither, even when exporting at the same bitrate. But yes, that's the easiest way.
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... I haven't dug into dithering deeply ...
Here's a great explanation (pdf) by Izotope - yes they make and sell plugins, but this really does explain it well without being too much of a sales-pitch.
http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/OzoneDitheringGuide.pdf
HTH
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I just recently started posting everything 24/48, which is another option.
Me too! Why wreck good signal? Someone have a need for plastic garbage (CD?)