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Home Recording => Boss BR Recorders => Topic started by: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 10:34:20 AM

Title: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 10:34:20 AM
I've imported a backing track mp3 and it won't play in mp3 mode (I get message: NOT SUPPORTED).

I've tried reading the mp3 into Audacity and exporting out as another mp3 and then also as a wav file.  But I get the same message: NOT SUPPORTED and neither will play on my MBR in mp3 mode.

Note: the mp3 file DOES play on my mp3 player however, no problem.  Does anybody have any software or tricks that can re-convert an mp3 so that it IS supported on the MBR?  Unfortunately I can upload the mp3 because it's a tad over 5M.
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Greeny (No longer active) on May 06, 2009, 11:04:13 AM
Are you exporting it out of audacity at 128kbps???  I have a feeling that's the highest kbps that the BR can deal with. I know Audacity can export at a variety of rates, so it's worth checking!
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: 64Guitars on May 06, 2009, 11:09:20 AM
Supported MP3 formats are:


If you want to use a file that has a different format, you will first have to convert it to a compatible format using a suitable program such as Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) or Switch (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/).

With Audacity, you have to make sure that the Project Rate in the lower-left corner of the screen is set to 44100. Then, from the File menu, select Export. After you fill-in any metadata and click OK, the Export File dialog will appear. Set the file type to MP3 Files, then click the Options button to select a compatible bitrate. See http://www.audacityteam.org/manual/index.php?title=MP3_Export_Options (http://www.audacityteam.org/manual/index.php?title=MP3_Export_Options).

Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Bro on May 06, 2009, 11:19:49 AM
i had the same problem, then i converted it to mp3, from a mp3 file both 128kps. Weird but it worked, good luck!
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 11:25:22 AM
Thanks 64Guitars!  I had to change the Project Rate to 44100.  It was set to 48000.  That did the trick!  Thanks again!
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Oldrottenhead on May 06, 2009, 11:29:00 AM
44.1  is always the one.
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 11:52:23 AM
I will remember that 44.1 is always the one - thanks!  Is what Greeny said also true too, that we must also export the mp3 out of audacity at 128kbps?
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Oldrottenhead on May 06, 2009, 12:08:13 PM
not used audacity, but mbr will accept higher quality mp3s than 128kbps. when im collaborating i try to use 192kbps files to keep quality
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: 64Guitars on May 06, 2009, 12:12:15 PM
Quote from: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 11:52:23 AMI will remember that 44.1 is always the one - thanks!  Is what Greeny said also true too, that we must also export the mp3 out of audacity at 128kbps?

According to the Micro BR manual, it supports MP3 bit rates of 64, 96, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320 kbps, and VBR. Of course, the bit rate you choose will affect the sound quality and the file size. So experiment with different bit rates and see which works best for your needs. If you're going to upload the MP3 to this forum, then you'll need to keep the file size under 5MB and you may find that bit rates over 128kbps might create files that exceed the 5MB limit.

If you just want to import the backing track into your Micro BR so that you can add more tracks to it, I'd suggest using WAV format instead. This will create a much bigger file than MP3 format, but after it's imported you can delete the WAV file from the Micro BR to save space. The advantage of WAV format is that it's uncompressed. It won't improve the sound of the already-compressed MP3 backing track, but it won't further degrade the sound either, as an MP3-to-MP3 conversion will (although, perhaps not noticeably).

Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 01:23:20 PM
The 44.1 kHz sampling rate probably also applies to WAV files as well, since I also imported a NOT SUPPORTED WAV file out of Audacity.  I'll just press that magic Project Rate button in the lower-left corner...Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Flash Harry on May 06, 2009, 01:32:02 PM
Generally 44.1Khz is the industry standard, higher rates can improve quality of the higher frequency sounds and some recording gear has 48KHz options.

The idea comes from a chap called Nyquist, who worked out that sampling had to be done at 2.2 times the highest frequency you want to sample. 20khz is generally all you need to record (Audiophiles - you shouldn't argue against this because Audiophiles don't sample).

The 0.1 is the extra bit in the maths I don't remember any more.

Boring bit over....... :D
Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: 64Guitars on May 06, 2009, 01:35:20 PM
Quote from: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 01:23:20 PMThe 44.1 kHz sampling rate probably also applies to WAV files as well, since I also imported a NOT SUPPORTED WAV file out of Audacity.

Yes, WAV files must also have a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz.

QuoteI'll just press that magic Project Rate button in the lower-left corner.

You can make it the default by selecting Preferences from the Edit menu (or press Ctrl-P), then selecting the Quality page. There you'll see a drop-down box for Default Sample Rate. Set it to 44100 Hz.

Title: Re: Get error message: NOT SUPPORTED trying to play mp3 file
Post by: Satchwood on May 06, 2009, 03:28:24 PM
Thanks Flash & 64 for the lesson in audio file formats - very helpful!  Plus, I don't have to pull my hair out anymore  :o