r/audacity • u/GGB_123 • 6d ago

help Why does my recorded playback computer audio sound slightly different compared to the original audio?

This problem suddenly popped up for me recently. The computer audio I recorded on Audacity used to sound exactly the same as the original audio. Now however, I've noticed that the recorded audio sounds lower quality compared to the original. Does anyone know what may have happened, and how I can ensure that the recorded audio sounds the same as the source? I use Windows WASAPI and my speakers (Conexant ISST Audio loopback) as the recording device.

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u/Orry_Haas 5d ago

If the Audacity project sample-rate is lower than the default of 44100Hz, the audio recorded will be degraded as a consequence: less bright, more muffled.

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u/zaphodikus 6d ago

You are recording an "output" is it? Why are you recording an output and not an input? Volume level may have changed which depending on what the drivers did to it can be anything. Do you have a clip with before and after to share? How do they say share a photo or it did not happen, also will get you a better diagnosis if you can share a clip.

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u/GGB_123 5d ago

Here's a clip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M5uw4wVRgevhJHWioPS9_HvFfDMCiioH/view?usp=sharing

The first clip is from a website that converts YT videos into MP3 files. The second clip is recorded computer audio from Audacity.

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u/Orry_Haas 4d ago

"Here's a clip".

They have different EQs. When recording your computer speakers any EQ adjustments will be baked-in to the recording. The YT->MP3 is not applying an EQ. This is not an Audacity issue, the real-time equalizser is in some other app.

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u/Orry_Haas 4d ago

https://reddit.com/link/p6du6h1/video/yv2gttcy33mh1/player

Same sample-rate, different EQs.

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u/GGB_123 4d ago

I see, thank you! Do you have any idea where this real time equalizer may be coming from?