I'm sort of stepping half way from iTunes (for now at least, due to some issues -> scratchlive.net)

So I'm using the offline player not only to set cues, but actually to listen to my tracks. But one thing Ive noticed: it reproduces bass in a really weak manner, it breaks up with digital artifacts, it does not sound anything like when the box is connected. Playing the same tracks in iTunes, Quicktime & Audacity and it will sound great, just not in the offline player.

I'm not talking about the 1.8.2 stutter issue, I've tried out 1.8.0, 1.8.1 & 1.8.2 and they all sound the same. So, is this a "feature" of the offline player, or am I doing something wrong?

MacBook Pro, OSX 10.5.5

Thanks

This is a feature of the offline player from what I've heard. Since the program is free to download, it's to discourage people from using SSL without purchasing the hardware

Kind of suspected that. Oh well, just a minor thing anyway, kind of annoying to having to listen to that bass. But I see reasons why they would want to steer the average user away, using the offline player as a Winamp/iTunes/Mediaplayer/etc substitute.

The Offline Player shouldn't have any sound limitations, it should only be limitated by your computers soundcard. You could check the gain for your tracks - is the gain knob up high? Does it make any difference if you lower the gain?



This is incorrect, in fact we encourage people to use Scratch LIVE as their media player :) What you may be thinking of is Whitelabel files, which will play at 32kps in any program except Scratch LIVE (and then you need hardware connected for them to play at 320kps).

oh, thanks for the correction Michael

To explain how it sounds; the artifact happens with tracks that have low, quitet bass, most noticeable with natural instruments. I kind of breaks up the bass, making it sound "digital", sort of like a strange hum whenever the bass kicks in. The all over sound is still crisp, and does not sound anything like a high compressed mp3 (ie whitelabel in offline..) The artifact is consistent, it appears pretty much on any tune with those characteristics.


Tracks are autogained at 92dB, Master gain at 12 o'clock. If I lower or raise the either track gain or master gain, the artifact stay exactly the same. No difference when changing the volume on the mac either. When plugging in the box, the artifact is gone. Also, when playing the track in iTunes / Quicktime / Audacity the artifact is gone.

Far as I know I haven't done anything to the computer settings, is it possible with the built-in sound anyway? I had a look into the system profiler if thats of any help?

Intel High Definition Audio:

Device ID: 0x106B00A3
Audio ID: 56
Available Devices:
Speaker:
Connection: Internal
Headphone:
Connection: Combo
Microphone:
Connection: Internal
Line In:
Connection: Combo
S/P-DIF Out:
Connection: Combo
S/P-DIF In:
Connection: Combo

Cool, my bad. I'll still use the offline player for cues & loops as usual, but until I get this sorted I'll be using iTunes side by side, just to be sure...

Hey WarpNote,

Are you able to upload a file for us to have a listen to? If possible a file that gives the best example of what you are hearing. Please upload the file here -> www.serato.com

Also could you please post the specs of the machine you are using :)

Ok, I'm uploading files recorded, both the good one (with the box connected) and the distorted. (played in offline player)

I recorded both using Audacity. The distorted one is how it sounds using the offline player.

My computer is a stock macbook pro, last version before unibody came along:
MacBookPro4,1 - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz - 2 GB RAM - NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB - 200GB Internal Disk

All music played off a 500GB LaCie Rugged drive Firewire 800 bus powered. If I play off the internal drive, the issue is still the same.

Also, I tried it out on my older Dell I have no issue there, so it seems to be mac specific.

Again, when playing the file in iTunes or Quicktime it sounds great...

Michael, did you get a chance to listen to the upload?

I've also uploaded to ZShare:
Bad sound (Offline player) -> www.zshare.net
Good sound (through SL1 Box, same in itunes/Quicktime/Audacity) -> www.zshare.net

BUT: I'm no longer able to reproduce this issue!
I've installed the 1.8.3 beta, and updated itunes (8.0.1 ->8.0.2) Apart from that, I haven't done much at all to my mac. Kind of strange, but still...

So all is well, feel free to close thread...

Hey WarpNote,

I'm really sorry, I didn't get a chance to check out your files but I have now. You can definitely hear the difference, it's a sound I've heard before on certain tracks when you have keylock on and adjust the pitch - the rest of the track sounds fine but the bass gets that "digital" sound. I'm not sure what's causing that in the offline player but I guess if it's been fixed in 1.8.3 we're all good! :)

I'll close this thread for now, please post back if this issue arises again.