I recorded a bunch of audio files in Soundbooth and went to import them intio Articulate. The result sounds like a bad industrial noise band. Is there a known compatibility issue or setting I need to change? (I'm using the defaults.) Wav files from other sources work fine. And my Soundbooth wav files work with other apps.
If this is not a known issue, this is the third major bug I have going on with Articulate. Reinstalling hasn't helped, I probably need to rebuild my PC.
The native settings in SoundBooth aren't compatible with Articulate. SoundBooth records at 48KHz and 32bit. Articulate maxes out (I believe) at 44Khz and 16bit. Or something around there. You'll need to save as in Soundbooth and downsize to the 44/16 settings. However, this can be time consuming...
The quickest method for me is thus....
1. Create an audio folder for my project.
2. Record all my slides in Soundbooth to that folder.
3. Edit, clean in Soundbooth and save (Ctrl-S) each file as I edit (this auto updates in the folder).
4. Close Soundbooth
5. Grab all of my files from the main folder and drop them into CN Levelator (to level them out). Note: they'll now have a .output extension.
6. Grab the leveled files and drop them into Format Factory and convert to .WAV. This will place them in the FFOuput folder from which you can then take them and drop them back into your main audio folder. The stock .wav settings (High Quality) in Format Factory can be altered, but are fine as is to get the audio ready for Articulate.
Levelator and Format Factory are really fast so this process only takes a few moments post SoundBooth. And the audio quality sounds great!
It's very simple to ensure Soundbooth files work with Articulate. There is no need to go outside of Soundbooth for anything. Under "FILE" , choose "Adobe Sound Document Settings". Select the button for "Flash Compatible (44.1 kHz, 16bit)". See the image below.
Can this be set before recording, or allow for a batch convert of the audio files? Many of my projects have multiple (30-50+) audio files and selecting and changing the settings individually is quite time consuming versus doing a batch convert in Format Factory. If it is possible to either batch, or change the settings before recording, I'd love to know how as it would be a nice time saver!
No, you can only modify files which are already created. I have all my narration recorded in a studio in Chicago. Even though the files are recorded at 44.1k/16bit in the studio, they still don't work with Articulate when inserted into Quizmaker and Engage (they work fine under the regular "Import Sound" method). Anyway, I just open all the files when I receive them (sometimes a hundred or more) and simply click and set each file. Then I hit "Save All". It takes me less than 5 minutes to do all these files. So, I don't think it's much of a burden. Soundbooth's biggest limitation is the lack of batch modifications like Audition. But, once you are in the groove with this method it is very easy and quick. In your case, if it were me, I would just do all my recordings at the default setting and come back afterwards and change the sound settings for each file, then save all. Just my opinion.
Thanks for the follow up. Not sure I'd be as willing to set each file individually (phew, you're fast!), but I do appreciate knowing that it's possible!
1) It is highly unlikely you are recording and just moving on from there. Usually, you at least listen to what you have recorded and probably have to trim it as well. If so, adding that one setting through the Adobe Sound Settings is nothing more than a click before you resave your file. So you don't even need a batch method for that. If you are importing recorded files from the studio, then, here again, you are most likely going to trim those or combine them, etc. If not, I typically open 40 or 50 audio files at a time and just roll through the settings.
2) As a rule, I strive to limit the number of programs / conversions I run files through. Soundbooth will do everything I need it to do. Add other programs in the mix increases the chances of something going wrong. And with me, stuff always goes wrong.
I have CS4, and according to the official user guide you can change these settings for new files before you record them under Edit>Preferences>Adobe Sound Documents. It looks like you still have to "Save As" 16 bit though for the file to upload properly.
11 Replies
Hi George
I have always had the same problem with soundbooth
this might help http://www.articulate.com/support/presenter09/kb/?p=547
I generally import mp3s not ideal but I wasted so much time troubleshooting I gave up
Phil
George,
The native settings in SoundBooth aren't compatible with Articulate. SoundBooth records at 48KHz and 32bit. Articulate maxes out (I believe) at 44Khz and 16bit. Or something around there. You'll need to save as in Soundbooth and downsize to the 44/16 settings. However, this can be time consuming...
The quickest method for me is thus....
1. Create an audio folder for my project.
2. Record all my slides in Soundbooth to that folder.
3. Edit, clean in Soundbooth and save (Ctrl-S) each file as I edit (this auto updates in the folder).
4. Close Soundbooth
5. Grab all of my files from the main folder and drop them into CN Levelator (to level them out). Note: they'll now have a .output extension.
6. Grab the leveled files and drop them into Format Factory and convert to .WAV. This will place them in the FFOuput folder from which you can then take them and drop them back into your main audio folder. The stock .wav settings (High Quality) in Format Factory can be altered, but are fine as is to get the audio ready for Articulate.
Levelator and Format Factory are really fast so this process only takes a few moments post SoundBooth. And the audio quality sounds great!
Hope this helps!
Mike
George, in case the above didn't make sense, here's a Screenr on my process.
Both of you -- thanks! Awesome info. Much appreciated!
It's very simple to ensure Soundbooth files work with Articulate. There is no need to go outside of Soundbooth for anything. Under "FILE" , choose "Adobe Sound Document Settings". Select the button for "Flash Compatible (44.1 kHz, 16bit)". See the image below.
Ben,
Can this be set before recording, or allow for a batch convert of the audio files? Many of my projects have multiple (30-50+) audio files and selecting and changing the settings individually is quite time consuming versus doing a batch convert in Format Factory. If it is possible to either batch, or change the settings before recording, I'd love to know how as it would be a nice time saver!
Thanks,
Mike
No, you can only modify files which are already created. I have all my narration recorded in a studio in Chicago. Even though the files are recorded at 44.1k/16bit in the studio, they still don't work with Articulate when inserted into Quizmaker and Engage (they work fine under the regular "Import Sound" method). Anyway, I just open all the files when I receive them (sometimes a hundred or more) and simply click and set each file. Then I hit "Save All". It takes me less than 5 minutes to do all these files. So, I don't think it's much of a burden. Soundbooth's biggest limitation is the lack of batch modifications like Audition. But, once you are in the groove with this method it is very easy and quick. In your case, if it were me, I would just do all my recordings at the default setting and come back afterwards and change the sound settings for each file, then save all. Just my opinion.
Thanks
Ben
Ben,
Thanks for the follow up. Not sure I'd be as willing to set each file individually (phew, you're fast!), but I do appreciate knowing that it's possible!
Mike
You can batch convert audio files using ITunes:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/145574379
Two things:
1) It is highly unlikely you are recording and just moving on from there. Usually, you at least listen to what you have recorded and probably have to trim it as well. If so, adding that one setting through the Adobe Sound Settings is nothing more than a click before you resave your file. So you don't even need a batch method for that. If you are importing recorded files from the studio, then, here again, you are most likely going to trim those or combine them, etc. If not, I typically open 40 or 50 audio files at a time and just roll through the settings.
2) As a rule, I strive to limit the number of programs / conversions I run files through. Soundbooth will do everything I need it to do. Add other programs in the mix increases the chances of something going wrong. And with me, stuff always goes wrong.
Thanks
Ben
I have CS4, and according to the official user guide you can change these settings for new files before you record them under Edit>Preferences>Adobe Sound Documents. It looks like you still have to "Save As" 16 bit though for the file to upload properly.
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