Direct playback OK, but saved audio files stutter

Discuss playback problems, including VST, Garritan, MIDI, etc.

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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Fri Aug 21, 2020 3:35 pm

I don't know if anybody can suggest a solution.

Background: I want to prepare a couple of MP3s for a designer to listen to. The two parts of the one piece, part 1 is 26 mins, part 2 is 40. The two files playback directly without any faults or oddities, but exported .aiff files (which I'd then convert to MP3) are full of stutters and the like. This is on two computers, one running Mac OS 10.13 and the other 10.14. It happens in both F 26 and F 25. Previously I had been able to save the two files as .aiffs without any stutters, but I'd prefer to include some more recent edits. This is not crucial, not a disaster; but we're being encouraged to provide a provisional budget in the next month or so (Covid et al not withstanding). I'd like the designer to hear the basic computer rendering with the latest edits. (On this occasion I'm expecting to direct for the stage myself - if and when current Covid restrictions allow. Very tentatively in Oct/Nov 2021.)

Any ideas?
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
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motet
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Post by motet » Fri Aug 21, 2020 3:48 pm

I would try running Audacity alongside Finale to capture Finale's direct playback and take the audio file creation out of Finale's hands. Audacity can create mp3's as well as aiff.

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zuill
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Post by zuill » Fri Aug 21, 2020 3:58 pm

Also, I have often adjusted the Buffer Size with some success. Just another suggestion. Motet's suggestion is also good. Make sure you don't allow any background sounds to get in there (dings or other warning sounds).

Zuill
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motet
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Post by motet » Fri Aug 21, 2020 4:18 pm

zuill wrote:
Fri Aug 21, 2020 3:58 pm
Also, I have often adjusted the Buffer Size with some success.
Have you found that influences writing audio files as opposed to real-time playback?

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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Fri Aug 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Thanks, I think Audacity should be the answer. I have it installed, but am not immediately sure how to capture Finale's direct playback, although I can probably work that out.

(Buffer size doesn't seem to be the problem)
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Fri Aug 21, 2020 4:54 pm

OK, I *think* all I have to do is to connect the output on my MacBook to the input on my MacMini and instruct Audacity to record from that source. I will try later (tomorrow probably) unless someone suggests a better way.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
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zuill
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Post by zuill » Fri Aug 21, 2020 5:24 pm

In Windows, there is a way to get Audacity to loop internal sound into Audacity. Mac may not work that way.

Zuill
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"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

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motet
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Post by motet » Fri Aug 21, 2020 5:53 pm

If possible, you want to record what's playing on the computer rather than hooking two computers together, I think. Look at the choices under this control and experiment.

ttw
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Post by ttw » Fri Aug 21, 2020 6:13 pm

I usually just export .wav files (supposedly lossless), then convert into .mp3 files using Audacity (which now includes Lame). This has worked pretty well.

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Michel R E
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Post by Michel R E » Fri Aug 21, 2020 6:18 pm

I've noticed skipping, pops and noise artifacts particularly when trying to export audio from Finale of especially large pieces.
Shorter than 10 minutes, I haven't had much trouble, but with much longer works it seems more errors creep in.
User of Finale since version 3.0 on Windows.
Now using a mix of Finale 2012, Finale 25, and 26.1
GPO, Garritan Solo Stradivari violin, Gofriller Solo Cello.
XSamples Chamber Ensemble.
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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Fri Aug 21, 2020 8:20 pm

I think the only way of doing it internally on a Mac is via Soundflower or similar software; but in the past I've found software of this type problematic (understatement) and safest when avoided altogether. However, I have a short cable with a 3.5mm jack at either end, and a 3.5mm line-in socket on my Mac Mini, so I think it ought to be easy to have the playback sound going from my MacBook to be recorded by Audacity on my Mac Mini.

If anyone knows something against this method, please let me know asap.

Yes Michel, this seems to be my experience too; but what has changed? It used not to be like this, I seem to remember. In fact I have a 90 minute Finale audio file which was made without problem in 2018 either with F 2014.5 or F 25, but I'm not sure which.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
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motet
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Post by motet » Fri Aug 21, 2020 8:46 pm

Your plan will work if the output and input on the computers are both for "line" or "audio" level. If the Mac Mini input is for a microphone, then it won't work.

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motet
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Post by motet » Sat Aug 22, 2020 1:03 am

Some Googling suggests that the Mac Mini audio input is line level, so you should be OK.

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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Sat Aug 22, 2020 4:11 pm

OK, although I'm pretty sure linking the two computers as described would have worked via Audacity, I realized that I had the means here to do it another way, which seems to have worked, although I haven't yet listened back to quite the whole 66 minutes (most of it, though).

Here's how I did it, although it only works if you have the specific equipment:

My desktop computer (Mac Mini) is permanently plugged into my hi-fi. The CD player in that set-up is a Sony CD recorder, with one of the CD slots able to record on special audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs, not to be confused with the CD-Roms on which you record via a computer. I'm not even sure if these blank audio only CDs are still available, but I have at least two boxes of them. Anyway, since my amplifier has a ‘record out’ line selection nob and everything is still (from about 15 years ago) connected correctly, I was able to record Finale's playback directly onto audio CD-R, which once it had been ‘finalized’ could be added to iTunes in MP3 format via an Apple USB ‘SuperDrive’.

I haven't used any of these audio only CD-Rs for at least 10 years, but since I have them plus a machine which can record on them, I thought I should re-read the Sony manual and give it a try.

EDIT: I can now confirm that the whole recording is - I was about to say perfect, but it's computer sound: the voice sound is what it is and the instruments don't phrase, breathe, bow as I'd want from real people - as near perfect as I could hope: no glitches of any kind.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
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RVS Lee
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Post by RVS Lee » Sat Aug 22, 2020 5:54 pm

David -
As the son of a stage designer all I can say is, "I hope your designer appreciates the effort!"

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zuill
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Post by zuill » Sat Aug 22, 2020 6:06 pm

David,

I'm curious as to the sounds you are using in Finale. Are they the included GIfF?

Zuill
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"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:27 pm

Yes, mostly GIFF.

I may attempt a fuller explanation with some detail tomorrow, but I've just been listening to a BBC Radio 3 broadcast of Verdi's Don Carlo (1886 version) recorded from the 1996 Proms, with a star-studded cast and the ROH orchestra and chorus, all conducted by Bernard Haitink. As a result, I'm feeling rather overwhelmed!
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motet
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Post by motet » Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:32 pm

It's quite a piece. I love the "Grand Inquisitor" scene.

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David Ward
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Post by David Ward » Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:27 am

motet wrote:
Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:32 pm
It's quite a piece. I love the "Grand Inquisitor" scene.
It should be possible to listen to Saturday's BBC Radio 3 broadcast of Don Carlo at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08kdbgl for the next 29 days.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
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motet
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Post by motet » Mon Aug 24, 2020 3:26 pm

Thanks, I'll check it out!

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