VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Quicksilver]

I've been asked for the weird file format that the old phone systems use.

8-Bit CCIT U-Law.

2 questions..

Is it suppose to sound this bad? (yes, it's an mp3 copy of the 8-Bit U-Law but it sounds about the same, SoundHound needs an mp3)

https://soundcloud.com/drew-carpenter-5/8-bit-u-law

I know it's not going to be pristine but would like to know if this is in the ball park of what it should sound like and I'm not missing something/sending out junk audio. The original audio prior to down sampling was good.

Any processing tips to clean it up?

Lastly..

What is CCITT? I can satisfy all the other requirements saving in this format with new version of Audition but can't figure out what CCITT means.

You all rock, thanks a million in advance and I owe you all major cake!!

[bobsouer]

You want to get in touch with Liz de Nesnera. Liz@hireliz.com She can help.
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The second nicest guy in voiceover.
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[Eddie Eagle]

Is your client European or French?
Google CCITT

[Quicksilver]

Thanks guys.

Do I take that to mean the file posted is not of typical 8-bit quality?

No, not European despite the use of "queue". I thought the same thing but they are from Denver.

[Lee Gordon]

I'm not an authority (Liz and Connie are) but, yes, it's 8-bit so there is a limit to how good it can sound. Yours actually sounds pretty good compared to some I've heard. Since it is intended to be heard over the phone, the quality is naturally going to get reduced to about that level anyway.

As I understand it, it is better to record a 16-bit WAV and convert to 8-bit µ-law than to record directly in 8-bit.
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[Jason Huggins]

I agree. I think it sounds "great." I also have heard some pretty bad ones and yours sounds good. I personally (and I am NOT an authority either) have also had decent results with converting to 8-bit and then tweaking with a little EQ so it doesn't sound like I have a lisp or sound all muffled. You lose a lot of audio data when you sample that low so it sounds "bad" no matter what. It's all relative though. How do you think it sounds compared to the IVR when you call AT&T?

[Quicksilver]

Much appreciated guys!

Still waiting to hear if the files played nice with their system, fingers crossed.

[Ed Fisher]

I have several regular clients that I must provide files in this format. (and I have for many years)

The format is designed to take little space and work primarily on phone systems.

And...I believe it sounds like CRAP.

However, when I have actually HEARD these files OVER the phone system they have been installed on....not so bad. In fact, surprisingly good.

I still hate them. But...some phone systems are MARRIED to this format, so it is beyond your control.

Soundforge Pro already has a preset for these files...which I've never heard a complaint about. But, I'm sure you've already figured out how to create them.

My advice. Hold your nose. Take the money.
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[Quicksilver]

Yep, downloaded a trial version of AA (only the new one will encode uLaw) and the client says the test file I sent loaded up fine.

Read in a few places that compressing them more than usual and limiting at 0db prior to conversion can improve results, also gated them, so my noise floor was super low.

Still sounded god awful and really hated sending them but sometimes that's all you can do.

Thanks all for the help!