Collaborator latency using MP3's ?

[devin]

I had a collaborator send me a quick mp3 last year, and I started doing my parts. When I sent the file back to him, it didn't mix well at all.So he sent me a wave file of his original MP3, and I loaded them both into my software at time=0.Here's what it looked like. This may be a consideration for anyone composing to an mp3, and sending a file back to get mixed in. The second person's wave might be latent when compared to the track you composed against.Has anyone else run into this problem, and/or solved it? We didn't notice much for vocals...but drumming and guitar phase problems were just enough to make it sound "ewwww".You can test it yourself: export a wave file of a tune, then export or convert the same file to mp3. Pull them both into a new project, and see if they line up.P.S. We now use Yousendit to send wave files for collaboration.

[billg]

I have had all kinds of problems with Mp3 files, not only what you've mentioned but quality issues as well. wav files sent by a FTP service (like yousendit) is the way to go. Heck, in my opinion mp3 files most of the time aren't even suitable for distribution.

[aimusic]

I think Mp3's are ok, but mainly if you wanna keep quality top notch rather try 320kbps...

[andreh]

What billg and aimusic said.If you have to use .mp3's instead of .wav's of .aif's for whatever reason, you can solve your latency issue by inserting a very quick percussive sound (a short 1kHz sine wave is common in music-for-picture) at a predetermined start point - say, exactly bar or 1 second (2 seconds is common in film sound) before the song starts - that can be lined up visually with other tracks. Of course, the other tracks must also contain a visual reference at the exact same point for this to work.MP3 latency exists because your computer needs a certain amount of time to run the algorithms that decompress your file. Since mp3 compression is based on psycho-acoustic information that's different for every mix, the amount of latency can change from mix to mix (although you might find a fairly consistent amount of it at the start of a file since most "silence" is compressed the same way).HTH,AndréPS - If you're working with other Mac users, be sure to check out Apple's AAC compression...sounds better at similar compression rates compared to MP3's, and there's also a ~2-to-1 lossless compression option. If often use the lossless codec and .zip the files up, and they really shrink down nicely - sometimes to 1/4 of their original size with no loss of quality at all.

[wodinlord]

I don't know. I use and mix AIF, Wav and MP3 all the time and have never encountered this. Could the MP3 have been encoded as variable bit rate? Could the mp3 not have started as session O by accident?Just scattershooting.Wodinlord

[bigbluebarry]

I've encountered this myself. I'm using Pro Tools LE 7 and my co-writer has been using Sonar 7. What we've done is added an extra measure at the beginning of the song for a click track so that we can line stuff up when we switch between our platforms. He's moving to a Pro Tools platform next week so I'll be curious to see if the issue is a result of the mp3 conversion or working with 2 different DAW's or both.- Big Blue

[davekershaw]

Hi Devin.Thanks for posting this.I've not come across the problem yet, but it could savea lot of time in the future.Must say, by the way, you're looking very smart these days!

[hummingbird]

is there anyway to reduce the size of this photo - it's throwing my screen waayyyy out of wack and makes it hard to read the posts effectivelyluvHummin'bird

[mazz]

Thanks for the info! I've not used mp3s in this manner so I've never experienced it before.Andre's suggestion about a "2 pop" is a really good one. It's absolutely necessary in film work and would come in really handy in this situation as well.Also, I've been getting in the habit of starting all my pieces on bar 2. A little bit of silence at the beginning is useful if at the last minute I need a cymbal swoosh in or need to add a 2 pop or a count in. Of course, this is stripped out for the final mix (unless it's a film cue, the 2 pop needs to be there).Good info!! Thanks for posting!Mazz

[devin]

May 16, 2008, 9:28am, hummingbird wrote:is there anyway to reduce the size of this photo - it's throwing my screen waayyyy out of wack and makes it hard to read the posts effectivelyluvHummin'birdDone!Photobucket is awesome for that...I just went in, clicked on "edit-resize", and made a smaller copy to link to. Brilliant! And I noticed they have an Avatar preset ready to go....hmmmm....Thanks for the background and tips everyone. And I thought I created the "click first and start music later" to compensate .André, your input did help put it all into perspective...thanks! The computer upgrade from PC & Cubase SE will still be a ways off...I'm learning lots with what I've got right now, so Apple isn't in the picture at the moment.wodinlord, I'm sure you would have noticed it if it's there, so I guess you're all good!bigbluebarry, ya, that's exactly what we've been doing. And because my friend on Sonar is the keyboard whiz, we leave a bit of space in case he comes up with an intro...we even bake our tempo into the temporary file naming convention.dave: I take judges very seriously.Mazz, I look forward to the day when the "2 Pop" is necessary. I'm trying like all heck to reach that in the next few years!