Subject:unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Posted by: photosynth

Date:3/27/2007 9:20:11 PM

This was posted a few years ago, but I 'm not sure i understand the solution.

I'm using SF7 and I have trimmed the start and end points of a loop that i need to save as an mp3 because i'm using it in a Flash presentation. I save the file and.... whamo.... it reopens and ads unwanted silence onto the beginning and end of the file!

I need help on this fast. Any suggestions or fixes for this? Thanks!!!

Subject:RE: unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:3/28/2007 4:04:11 AM

MP3 is supposed to have extra silence at the beginning and end. If you need a seemless loop, don't use MP3. Save the file as .wav. Flash will compress the audio for you when it creates it's output file.

Also, keep in mind that every time you save as MP3 you take a quality hit. Do not simply open up the last .mp3 file you saved and save it as .wav since by now you've probably lost quite a bit of quality. Use the original file and start from there.

Subject:RE: unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Reply by: photosynth

Date:3/28/2007 8:16:23 AM

Hi and thanks....

Unfortunately, I'm not using Macromedia Flash to encode the presentation and a WAV is too big. The program I'm using doesnt encode and crop. Ugh!!!!

So I still need another solution that gets me a properly cropped MP3 file.

Help Guys! I know someone has done this!!!

Thanks!

Subject:RE: unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Reply by: rraud

Date:3/28/2007 8:43:17 AM

The advanced version of WINLAME (rc3) has a "No gap" function in the non-preset default menu. I have not tried this particular function, and doubt it would work for loops, but may tighten up initial play delay. WINLAME has many other advanced parameter tweaks and batch encoding. I use it for 99.% of my MP3 encoding needs.

Note that many on this forum, including myself, conclude that the encoder that comes with SF sounds slightly better for low bitrate VBR MP3s.

Subject:RE: unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Reply by: photosynth

Date:3/28/2007 11:22:25 AM

Hi rraud,

Thanks for your help.

Unfortunately WinLAME's "no gap" feature is meant to eliminate the gap between tracks on a CD when encoding them to an MP3,....... not to eliminate the silence inherently placed at the beginning and end of an MP3 file. Hmmmmm.......

So, still open to help guys!!!! keep it coming!!!!!!

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Subject:RE: unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Reply by: photosynth

Date:3/31/2007 12:42:48 PM

Still need help!!!!!!!!

Subject:RE: unwanted silence in MP3 file save as

Reply by: farss

Date:4/3/2007 2:28:20 AM

Nothing can be done, the decoder requires the silence. If the silence is not there the decoder cannot play the file.

It's a real pain I know.
Two possible workarounds:

Find a point that has silence or where it wouldn't be noticeable and make that the loop point. That'll mean it doesn't play right from the beginning but might work better.

Duplicate the loopable piece several times and loop the whole thing, that'll mean the break is heard less frequently.

Bob.