Pitch difference when exported

#1

I guess this question is more of a question of an operating system, than Ardour. My exported audio (set to session sample rate) track’s pitch is higher than the actual recording. As it turns out, I was recording in 48 kHz but my audio interface (Behringer UMC204HD) was set to 44.1kHz when I was playing the exported audio file. When I was using a different audio interface (Focusrite Solo), I did not have this problem. It seems that my other audio interface somehow ‘knew’ the sample rate of files that was being played and changed its operating sample rate…?

I re-recorded my sample with 44.1 kHz and everything was fine, but I am kinda bummed about this since I never had this issue in the past.

Did anyone have had similar problems? What would be a good solution for this? Should I just stick to recording in 44.1 kHz? Is there a way to change my sound card’s (Behringer UMC204HD) sample rate in the operating system?

#2

What Operating system is it?

In Windows, I believe you can go into the control panel and change the settings for the audio interface.

On Linux, it’s typically relating to the Pulse audio or Pipewire settings.

Also, it may be related to the application you were using to play back the rendered file.

Cheers,

Keith

#3

My OS is Linux archlinux 6.13.4-arch1-1. I was using MPlayer or Firefox web browser to play the exported audio file.

I think I am using both Pulseaudio and Pipewire. I don’t have any clue on how I should change their settings for my purpose though.

#4

You can fix the exported file by overriding the samplerate using sndfile-convert

sndfile-convert -override-sample-rate=44100  the_exported_file.wav fixed_file.wav

on most GNU/Linux distros that commandline tool is packaged as part of “sndfile-programs”

The only reason to use 44.1kHz is if your target audience uses CDs. Many onboard soundcards only support 48kHz these days and streaming services also require 48kHz files.

The UMC204HD should definitely be able to run at 48kHz sample-rate…

#5

Thank you for your input. I was able to change the device’s sample rate setting to 48 kHz. Hmm, weird thing is that I don’t have the problem of playing an audio file with mismatching sample rates anymore… Well, at least I found a solution.

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