I think a good test would be to run two MP3 devices with small speakers, start the same .mp3 on both at as close to the same time as you can, then see if the songs get out of sync.  Then you'll know the player is dodgy.

Come to think of it...  I've did this once between my PC and an iPod.  They were NOT playing at the same speed.

craigb


I think a good test would be to run two MP3 devices with small speakers, start the same .mp3 on both at as close to the same time as you can, then see if the songs get out of sync.  Then you'll know the player is dodgy.

Come to think of it...  I've did this once between my PC and an iPod.  They were NOT playing at the same speed.

I'd already done that by recording the output alongside the original in the project that created it.  It wasn't perfect but it isn't often even when you are trying to match 2 audio interfaces but the difference was good enough for hammered dulcimers.

The tuner I use matched the calibrated A-440 of several other tuners and the midi tuning in the DAW. All that is dead on accurate for recording and tuning my guitars to pitch. 

I export the project as a normal wave and then convert it to MP3. In the DAW the entire time..... I can play back either the wave or the converted MP3 in the DAW and it's all still in tune.  I have dropped the MP3 back into the project from time to time and 100% match up in every way. 

I load to a USB stick and transfer to my Lappy...still in tune.... now I open the MP3 in Windows Media Player... the program I use to load the Sansa..... still in tune..... now sync to the sansa...and it's out of tune. 

I think the clock would likely be the issue..... no problem.... this is not something I do often..... but come to think about it, a few years back when the sansa was new, I did this with a church sponsored event in a prison ministry and I recall the guitar being out of tune with the music after tuning it and thinking it was the temperature changes that was throwing the tuning out so quickly. Now it all kinda makes sense. 
Note to self: Don't use the Sansa for tracks. 

Bad Sansa!
 
I wonder if my one will get old and tired too...

You should see this one....it's literally held together with electrician's tape.... the scotch tape didn't work,  well put it this way.... not for very long..... and the back which had some non-slip gray stuff on it....well the gray stuff is gone and it's shiny silver and smooth..... and.... yeah it gets better, the display has a small chip/crack in it and on occasion....after I charge it or randomly when I turn it on....the screen goes white and stays that way sometimes for a few minutes, and sometimes for days. I can play the tunes in the play list I'm on but can't see the display, and sometimes it's scrambled. 

But it works. 

Maybe all that is a clue that using this particular device for a gig in front of people should be re-considered..... huh? 

Just start a sing along... no one will notice the backing track once the fun starts. :-)

Guitarhacker


You should see this one....it's literally held together with electrician's tape.... the scotch tape didn't work,  well put it this way.... not for very long..... and the back which had some non-slip gray stuff on it....well the gray stuff is gone and it's shiny silver and smooth..... and.... yeah it gets better, the display has a small chip/crack in it and on occasion....after I charge it or randomly when I turn it on....the screen goes white and stays that way sometimes for a few minutes, and sometimes for days. I can play the tunes in the play list I'm on but can't see the display, and sometimes it's scrambled. 

But it works. 

Maybe all that is a clue that using this particular device for a gig in front of people should be re-considered..... huh? 

Yes, I wouldn't be seen in public with mine just in case someone like McQ came along. I hide it on the inside of my jacket
 
I'd be mortified, what would they think of me?  I couldn't handle the shame...
 
I'd use something more robust for sure in that situation for sure even though mine does playback at the required speed.

Guitarhacker


Greg.... Tea Party rally Oct 13 noon W Nash st Wilson on the library lawn..... doing 2 of my more political compositions..... and then later that evening in Youngsville .... the Beano festival which my buddy Wolf started is happeing on a farm up there..... and since I wrote that song for Wolf.... I guess I need to be there and play it for the crowd. 

You are welcome at both..... I'll get you in to the second one if you want to go.  The first is free. 

Saturday. I work Saturdays.
Guess I'll have to watch it on FB.

Jonbouy

...but the difference was good enough for hammered dulcimers.

A good digital audio engineer would never let his dulcimers drink too much.