Hiss in mp3 files

I recently upgraded my audio card from the integrated audio in my Dell dimension 5100 to a Sound Blaster Audigy 4. Even my 70-year old ears could tell the difference. However, I found many of my mp3 files now had a hiss noise in the background, some more than others. I had never heard this before when I played the same files on my Sansa mp3 player or other computers, some with pretty good audio cards. I figured it was due to the new card reproducing sounds that were obscured with lesser cards, sort of like when I got new glasses and saw things I had missed before (and discovered I wasn't as handsome as I had thought.)

Creative labs apparently knows about hiss because one of the feature in their MediaSource software includes a hiss removal tool (that actually works, but you must play the track using the the MediaSource player.)

My question is: where does this hiss come from and how can I minimize it in the first place.

Most of my mp3s were recorded at 128 kbps using various software packages to rip the CDs. I now use mostly a variable bit rate and Winamp Pro to rip.

Thanks

 

hi there,
It is very hard to say what it is and where it has come from.
What you can do it to take a CD that you dont have and rip it to MP3 ane w and see if here is hiss in the new recording. This will let you know if the hiss has been in your mp3 from your previos setup but you did not know it was there, or it is a product of your new card setup now.

I would use a good Ripping program that uses LAME encoder and rip an fresh mp3 using variable rate at 192K or above.

I use freeRIP which can do the above. Once you have done this, have a careful listen to the result and see if it has hiss in there or not?

 

Thanks for the tip.

Since posting my original message, I came across a forum that really came down hard on Creative for misrepresenting their audio card specs and for their "unfriendly" attitude toward Winamp (which I use.) Creative apparently knows about the hiss problems, as they give detailed and involved procedures for uninstalling and reinstalling their drivers and software. Anyway, I went thru their procedure and it did help a lot. However, I am not sure I eliminated all the hiss, but my old, tired ears can't be sure, so why fret it.

This is my first experience with hiss and I have used many systems with many different audio cards. One lesson I have learned (hopefully) is not to rely so much on magazine reviews (or the recommendation from Dell Computer), but to check the forums before buying. Had I done that I likely would not have bought a Creative product.

 

me personaly, I am not a big fan of Dell boxes myself.
I'd rather get a clone with all the bits and bobbs that I want to be in there rather than a cheaply made box of dubious quality parts that you get from Dell. Thats my 15 cents anyway (Adjusted for inflation and CPI)