YouTube Audio Quality: The Facts

In which I get educated by some well informed viewers, with a bit more detail on how YouTube serves up the audio part of videos, and how to make sure you're getting the best possible quality with full bandwidth.

YouTube Lowpasses Audio at 16KHz?

Audio test:

Video edited with VEGAS Pro 17:
{affiliate link)

[markuskopter]

I like the new visualizer very much. But I think it could be worth a try, to overlay it with a transparent or outlined version of the full logo, so that it does not look cut-off most of the time. Instead it would look more like a level meter with a fixed scale.

[somedood]

I quite like the new visualiser, perhaps more than the old one. I think it suits the channel. Once again thanks Dan for being as informative as ever

[unclemick-synths]

It's always good when a YouTuber updates in light of new information - too many get ratty or quibble regardless of how politely they have been contradicted. The ability to accept this just adds to your reputation.

[CinzanoBiancoLister]

You’re a legend Dan. Great teachers always admit their mistakes.

[moon_meat]

The new visualizer is cool, but I think the waveform does a better job capturing what your channel is about. Also, as someone else said -- more interesting to look at.

[TheDoomerBlox]

I like the fancy waveform from "How Loud Should My Drums Be?" and yes - Youtube has quite a lot of file formats to serve, hehe.

[PixsoulVGM]

I actually prefer the waveform thing compared to the new visualizer. Personally, I found the waveform more interesting to look at. But it wasn't perfect either. The waveform was a little too busy in my opinion. Maybe there is some middle ground between the two visualizers.

[jarrodbiesmann]

I remember when Kenny Gioia started showing his face on his Reaper tutorials and a part of me always wondered what kind of guy Kenny was. While listening to his accent, I imagined him being this really tough guy from the Bronx running a community audio studio for the youth usually engulfed in gang wars and drugs. Alas, reality was less entertaining even though I still believe Kenny is a superhero of sorts. (He has helped me learn Reaper to a fairly profficient level) So, I don't mind what graphic you use to help visualize your voiceover Dan, just don't show your face and let me continue imagining the Clark Kent doppleganger I imagine you are. And, as always, a big thank you for sharing your priceless knowledge.

[EndlessMeece]

I quite liked the spectrogram visualization

[DarrenDyke]

I was thinking as I watched this video that your logo is rad, extremely well done - It hadn't really registered just seeing it as a thumbnail on the channel. I like the minimalistic quality of the logo as visualizer and it seems to reinforce your brand identity. All that said it is, as always, the content that counts and your information and presentation is exceptional. Thank you.

[SkyyySi]

A visualizer like that would usually be done in After Effects using the sound keys plugin. But then again, if it works, it works. And this works.

[davidhrivnak]

I love your videos and how much solid clarity you bring to the table. The main reason I’m commenting though is to let you know that I personally think your new vocal visualizer is MUCH better than the old one. The animated waveform you used to use was actually really harsh on my eyes for some reason, and I always turned my screen’s brightness all the way down when it was on. This new one is pleasant, stylish, and cool

[jaydy]

This was a really educational exercise! I was one of those people that thought that YouTube low-passes unless you get a 1080p stream or higher (or if you download stuff through a 3rd party service). Apparently YouTube is more clever than that.

[juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

The new visualizer is great & thanks for always pushing this amount of information out.

[AmagrasMUSIC]

I came here for the post about the visualization and leave with some more knowledge; you have my full support even if you post a picture of a beach while you talk!

[raycochrane]

Thanks for being open enough to accept & acknowledge correction.

[oskocio]

Dan, you will always and forever seem to me the most honest youtuber I have had the pleasure of being subscribed to. So thankyou for that, and keep it up the fantastic content! I like the new visualiser a lot, and, contrary to some other comments, I like the fact that there is very little going on visa ve the background. I sometimes, perhaps often, watch your videos not looking directly at the screen, and so the minimalism is very nice in my peripheral and not too distracting! And even when looking straigh at it, the darkness matches with the silence and when you finally speak again it feels like sunshine on a rainy day :) all the best

[Am-]

Tbh, I could live with a static image instead of some animation, because I don’t like blinking and flickering. Much more important, this was pleasant to listen to because there was no distracting background music.

[shamelit]

I like more the old visualizer. This visualizer in the dark of my room distrubs my eyes for the constant change of brightness

[LongshanMusic]

Voice visualizer is much better than the other one. Appreciate that you took the time to offer a correction, thank you.