Audio Quality

perusing · Post by **perusing** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:56 pm

I just found this podcast and for the most part enjoy the content. I must say that the audio quality is marginal at best. I constantly have to adjust the volume depending on who is speaking. Also at times voices are muffled and hard to understand.

This variance in volume and clarity can be very frustrating and detracts very much from what seems like quality content.

I was listening to the mp3's and decided to see if the ogg's were better and still found the same problem.

Is this a lack of post-production or limitations of the recording methods used? Or perhaps am I the only one with this problem?

Post by **Patrick** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:08 pm

Have you listened to episodes 90 & 91? We didn't have any outboard gear until episode 90. Allan was so kind to buy us a compressor/limiter. The level issue seems to have been resolved since this addition. We're more than willing to accept contributions towards improving the quality of the show. Feel free to help us.

CptnObvious999 · Post by **CptnObvious999** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:18 pm

Yeah I used to have the same problem with the older episodes but it sounds great now.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:42 am

Patrick wrote:Have you listened to episodes 90 & 91? We didn't have any outboard gear until episode 90. Allan was so kind to buy us a compressor/limiter. The level issue seems to have been resolved since this addition. We're more than willing to accept contributions towards improving the quality of the show. Feel free to help us.

Nope haven't made it to those episodes yet but glad to hear the quality improved.

Hmmm is that donation request analagous to telling someone to fix the source code if they don't like it?

Post by **Patrick** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:43 am

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm is that donation request analagous to telling someone to fix the source code if they don't like it?

Not at all. It's the reality of trying to produce a quality show on a shoe string budget. Unlike other shows we basically pay for everything out of our pockets. Contrary to what Linc says none of us are rich.

Judland · Post by **Judland** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 9:43 am

No, sometimes the audio is not perfect.... but maybe that's some of the "charm" of it, too.

When ever I'm on the IRC and mention that Pat sounds like he's talking with a mouth full of marbles: that comes from the heart, man, and with a great deal of respect!

The guys do very well with what they've got and for what they're getting paid to do the show every week (which is ZERO).

perusing · Post by **perusing** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 6:29 pm

Have you listened to episodes 90 & 91? We didn't have any outboard gear until episode 90. Allan was so kind to buy us a compressor/limiter. The level issue seems to have been resolved since this addition.

Made it through episodes 90 & 91. Still have to constantly monitor the volume control. You talk of this nice compressor and in the same breath talk of the mismatched mics. You guys still go from barely audible to OMG turn it down all througout the show especially when playing clips. It's not like I could listen to ep89 and immediately notice a big difference in ep90.

Perhaps it's just a lack of post processing compared to better sounding shows.

No, sometimes the audio is not perfect.... but maybe that's some of the "charm" of it, too.

To each his own. I would think that with the frequency of complaints most don't find it very charming.

Anyway I just wanted to give a shout out to Linc for his nice bashpodder script.

Linc · Post by **Linc** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 6:43 pm

perusing wrote: Perhaps it's just a lack of post processing compared to better sounding shows.
To each his own. I would think that with the frequency of complaints most don't find it very charming.

We don't do post processing. There really isn't time as we are a live show and put the archive up directly after the webcast. And we really don't get many complaints about audio quality, just several complaints from the same few people - who by the way never offer to help or support the show in any manner. At least that's my observation.... Not that you are like that because I don't know you...

Anyway I just wanted to give a shout out to Linc for his nice bashpodder script.

Glad ya like it!

Judland · Post by **Judland** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 6:47 pm

perusing wrote:To each his own. I would think that with the frequency of complaints most don't find it very charming.

No disrespect intended, but it's always easier to complain about a problem than it is to fix it. Again, if you have any practical solutions for the guys, I'm sure they'd be willing to listen. And, hey, why not jump on the band wagon and trying to do a show of your own? Nothing wrong with leading by example.

I grew up in the days of 300 baud modems and CB radios. So, I suppose that explains my tolerance for projects like TLLTS. It still amazes me that an average Joe like me could do something similar as TLLTS if I ever wanted too with very little equipment and technical know-how. We've come a long way, in the world of personal computing.

If I was paying TLLTS for the shows I was listening to and benefitting from, then perhaps I'd have a different attitude about the quality. For now, I'm not losing anything from the experience so I'll keep tuning in.

perusing · Post by **perusing** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:53 pm

We don't do post processing. There really isn't time as we are a live show and put the archive up directly after the webcast.

That's fine, I suppose most other shows aren't as long as tllts so post processing is more feasible.

And we really don't get many complaints about audio quality, just several complaints from the same few people - who by the way never offer to help or support the show in any manner. At least that's my observation.... Not that you are like that because I don't know you...

I would certainly stop listening before you received repeated complaints from me. I will add this however, I think post processing would work wonders far cheaper than listener contributed expensive equipment. Also you are the one's seeking an audience. Like I said before I just discovered the show and came by to offer some constructive criticism not to offend anyone. I do enjoy the content of the show but the audio quality is somewhat of a deal breaker for me. If I'm in the tiny minority on this issue than I will just accept that the show is what it is and move on.

Gomer_X · Post by **Gomer_X** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:54 am

perusing wrote:I would certainly stop listening before you received repeated complaints from me. I will add this however, I think post processing would work wonders far cheaper than listener contributed expensive equipment. Also you are the one's seeking an audience. Like I said before I just discovered the show and came by to offer some constructive criticism not to offend anyone. I do enjoy the content of the show but the audio quality is somewhat of a deal breaker for me. If I'm in the tiny minority on this issue than I will just accept that the show is what it is and move on.

Post processing is not cheap. Time is money, and the guys are busy. Also, multi-tracking the show and normalizing the channels then remixing it would probably increase the amount of effort to edit the show by a factor of 10.

I think "seeking an audience" is a pretty strong term for what TLLTS does. The guys aren't looking to be rock stars. They do this thing, release it, and people listen. The fact that it keeps getting bigger and bigger means there are a lot of people who really like what Linc, Dann, Allan and Pat do, regardless of sound quality.

If you've listened to the recent episodes and still don't like the sound, you'll probably never be a fan.