We've run into an issue where all audio files are being compressed significantly. This is a problem because we are attempting to demonstrate various levels of audio compression, but the files are all being compressed further than intended. Some files are original, full bandwidth and bitrate, while others are intended to be compressed and low bitrate in order to demonstrate how audio quality can vary. However, they all end up being highly compressed so the demonstration is not effective at showcasing how compression reduces audio quality.
Is there a way to prevent the uploaded files from being compressed at all?
I can't answer your question, but one alternative would be to replace the audio files manually after you have published your course. This is not optimal. Another option might be to host the original audio files on a web site and play them directly from there, so that Storyline cannot recompress them at all.
Storyline doesn't have an option to prevent the audio compression (only one for video). Are you adding in the same type of files and seeing the compression occur differently on each? If so, I'd love for our Support Team to take a look.
Your best solution may be to pre-compress the files that you want to sound bad to whatever bitrate you want to demostrate, using a different program outside of Storyline, then insert all files into Storyline, and when publishing choose the highest quality audio setting. The quality of your worst files will not improve, demonstrating what low bitrate sounds like, and your high bitrate files will still sound pretty good.
Thanks Ashley, The files are of the same type, but different bitrate levels. They are all being reduced equally to 24 kbps, even though they were uploaded at 320, 192, 168, 128, 64, 32, 16 and 8 kbps. I understand the functionality may not support this much variation.
Storyline will only allow for you to customize the bitrate upon publishing between 16 kbps and 160 kbps, so it sounds like even if they were importing as needed you'd still be stuck at publishing. I think your best method is to look at finding those files in the published output and replacing them there.
11 Replies
I can't answer your question, but one alternative would be to replace the audio files manually after you have published your course. This is not optimal. Another option might be to host the original audio files on a web site and play them directly from there, so that Storyline cannot recompress them at all.
Hi Basheer,
Storyline doesn't have an option to prevent the audio compression (only one for video). Are you adding in the same type of files and seeing the compression occur differently on each? If so, I'd love for our Support Team to take a look.
What version of Storyline are you using?
In Storyline 2, the Publish window allows setting the audio bitrate by clicking the current setting under Properties > Quality.
It allows a range from 16 to 160 kbps.
Your best solution may be to pre-compress the files that you want to sound bad to whatever bitrate you want to demostrate, using a different program outside of Storyline, then insert all files into Storyline, and when publishing choose the highest quality audio setting. The quality of your worst files will not improve, demonstrating what low bitrate sounds like, and your high bitrate files will still sound pretty good.
Hi all -
Thank you for the responses. We are using Articulate 360 and the files are all being compressed the same after import.
I did not see any option to modify audio quality upon publishing.
Thanks for the reply Michael. As Saundra said, all of the files are being compressed equally after importing.
Thanks Ashley, The files are of the same type, but different bitrate levels. They are all being reduced equally to 24 kbps, even though they were uploaded at 320, 192, 168, 128, 64, 32, 16 and 8 kbps. I understand the functionality may not support this much variation.
Ah, good to know, Basheer.
Storyline will only allow for you to customize the bitrate upon publishing between 16 kbps and 160 kbps, so it sounds like even if they were importing as needed you'd still be stuck at publishing. I think your best method is to look at finding those files in the published output and replacing them there.
Hi Ashley - will Storyline 360 allow you to choose bitrate upon publishing? Under which formats? I have never seen the option to do so.
Thank you for your help!
Sandy (and Basheer)
Hi Saundra,
When you go to publish your course you can choose to adjust the audio quality as shown here:
Hope that helps!
Hi, Can anyone explain how Storyline can store at 24kbps (or 32 as it seems to be these days) and publish at 64kbps please?
Malcolm