AnsweredLow level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track

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James P
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2013/08/15 13:58:36 (permalink)

Low level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track

If I record a few seconds silence (i.e. no mic or other sound source even plugged into my soundcard), then drag the recorded audio file from X1's track view straight onto my desktop and open it in something like Soundforge, it shows (correctly) that there is no signal in the silent recorded file.
 
But if instead of dragging it from track view, I use X1's Export Audio, then open it in Soundforge I can see there is now a very low-level signal present (a very quiet hiss that peaks at about -84.3 on the dB meter). You can only really hear it on headphones as a very slight hiss if the volume is turned up loud, and I suppose practically speaking it's not likely to be much of an issue (although I work with a lot of filmmakers and TV shows etc. so if I have silence in a track I do expect it to be complete silence in case it gets amplified during mastering).
 
But I'm just wondering why exporting audio might introduce this issue. There's no effects or any other processing involved, just exporting a completely silent audio track. 



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John
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Re: Low level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track 2013/08/15 14:01:53 (permalink) ☼ Best Answerby James P 2013/08/15 15:03:39
It could be dither.

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scook
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Re: Low level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track 2013/08/15 14:02:33 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby James P 2013/08/15 15:03:49
Noise introduced by dithering? Try export without dithering.
 
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post edited by scook - 2013/08/15 14:21:23
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CJaysMusic
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Re: Low level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track 2013/08/15 14:24:13 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby James P 2013/08/15 15:03:54
If its dither, then its not audible with the song and dither is needed when going down in bit depths. So this is probably normal operation

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James P
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Re: Low level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track 2013/08/15 15:03:21 (permalink)
Looks like that was it - tried turning off dithering and that seems to stop the hiss. Thanks for the pointer guys, always something new to read up on!
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rcrees
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Re: Low level noise introduced when exporting 'silent' audio track 2013/08/15 15:18:19 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby James P 2013/08/15 17:24:58
The wide range of knowledge in this forum is, indeed, mind blowing sometimes.  Combine that with the willingness...actually eagerness to help makes this forum something really special. A forum is only as good as its members, so I guess it's not surprising that this forum rocks!


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