Audio clipping/ distortion when exporting MP4

[ozzlvlosis]

I put some footage to an instrumental song I wrote in Pro Tools. The WAV file I imported into Corel is
44,100 sample rate
24 bit

I can export to a mov file no problem. Once I export as an mp4 the audio in the high frequency range gets distorted and makes clipping noises.

I've tried saving my audio from pro tools as 16 bit bc I didnt see an option for 24 w mp4 settings in corel but that got the same distorted result

Anyone have any suggestions?

[jorgensen]

MP3/4 does not have bit selection (16/24), as it use it's own bit selection for compression.
For good mp3/4 quality you must choose a bitrate of at least 192 Kkbps.
For a mp4 video AAC audio (mp4) is recommended as it is the standard.
If still a problem, convert the wav file to mp3 and import it - there are many programs and online sites for this.

[lata]

Hi
By default the MP4 option will use 48,000kbps 16 bit
You have tried matching the 24 bit – 16bit
You could try creating a new profile to use 41,000kbps to match the WAV file
Or create a wav using 48,000kbps 16 bit
To be honest I don’t know if changing these settings is gonna improve things bit certainly it is better to try to match input to output settings.

If rendering to Mov works ok is there a problem in you using Mov
What happens if you then render the Mov to MP4, yep I realise it’s another step to do.

[ozzlvlosis]

I am using an mp4 profile that is 44.1, 16, 256. I have matched all of these up with my pro tools exports and I still get the same distortion. Even if I convert the mov to an mp4 I get distortion. I was told never to bring a compressed audio file into a video program.

The mov file is fine but I want to put it on Instagram and they only accept mp4

[jorgensen]

Have you checked the players volume control - some allow amplification leading to distortion.
Does the mp4 created video also distort when played back in VS?
No problem with compressed audio in today video editors, as the video also is compressed.

[OBB]

Try re-exporting the audio track from pro tools about -10db below the initial export & see if it helps... VS does get a little overzealous at times with audio correction, even more so when you are using compression & limiters within your final mix out of protools, sonar etc... .. Also try exporting the mix as an MP3 at 320kps as well as I have found I seem to always had slightly better results with high-bit MP3 filess vs. WAV files when sound-tracking a video... (VS does not have the best sound engine on the planet, obviously)

Also, once you import any audio file, if your video clips have transitions, titles, fades etc (and even more-so if any of Vid clips have audio that is muted or un-muted)... switch over to the audio view and look (inspect the audio view timeline not from the audio slider) and see if if VS has hap-haphazardly applied auto-fades into the audio track at the same video clip points, if so, simply readjust to matched values across the audio track from end to end & also feel free to fiddle with actual levels as well but just be sure to keep all of them all at a consistent value... Xdb's all the way across the track or also try +Xdb's or -Xbd's and it may also help with distortion as well...

Over the years I've found with Audio in VS, anywhere you have a non-linear fade (or the stupid auto-ducking feature) you will get errant pops in the final that are not heard in the preview, so always keep a consistent level across the entire audio track from end to end, pops should disappear 99% of the time...

...If none of this helps, then it is something in the final mastering of the audio track. Of which then it's just simply a matter of doing a quick remix.