forum

[Rule] Audio quality

posted
Total Posts
35
Topic Starter
Shiro

current rule wrote:

The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. The bitrate of a beatmap's audio file must be no lower than 128kbps and no higher than 192kbps. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you.
I just want to add that for VBR mp3s, what matters is the average bitrate, which should be in that range.

proposed wording:

The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality and must not exceed an average of 192 kbps. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file of 128 kbps - 192 kbps, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you.
HakuNoKaemi
VBR average should be less or equal than 192 Kbps as now...
And when I say average I don't say the maximum rate Windows give you, but the one G-Spot or similiar softwares
Sakura
V2 is also fine (and always been fine) so yeah, dont think it needs an ammend tho it's clearly explained.
Topic Starter
Shiro
Current rule doesn't mention VBR at all and "bitrate of VBR" doesn't make much sense. My fix is supposed to regulate these as well.
Sakura
Common sense is that it needs to be the average of VBR as well, you dont need to be naming everything in there, the rule doesn't even state that it has to be CBR so anyone would figure it's either CBR or VBR
HakuNoKaemi
pretty much "average bit rate" summarize all. CBR,VBR and ABR

The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. The average bitrate of a beatmap's audio file must be no lower than 128kbps and no higher than 192kbps. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you.
IppE
While there has been no mention about it I assume the same bitrate rules apply to Vorbis too.
HakuNoKaemi
well, it doesn't specify if it should be mp3 or vorbis
whymeman
Well.... seeing that VBR is "Variable Bit Rate", I would guess that it goes by the hi & low frequency "peak" in the bit rate where it's most stable (before sound distortion) while including the song's length. Though the other issue with bitrate is how it is compressed like 320 -> 192 ~ 128 is okay, but 128> => 128 ~ 196 is not.
ziin
someone said don't use VBR for some reason, but I don't remember getting a reason. However it's true that VBR messes up offsets, and takes more processing power. Ogg also has poor support, even though it's better than aac, mp3, and free.

The reason this rule exists is for quality filesize reasons, along with minor other reasons that are just gravy.

By forcing lower bitrates, it saves bandwidth regardless, without falling under the "24 MB beatmap" rule. It also should be noted that 192 kbps maximum is a rule, and 128 kbps minimum is a guideline.
Topic Starter
Shiro

ziin wrote:

By forcing lower bitrates, it saves bandwidth regardless, without falling under the "24 MB beatmap" rule. It also should be noted that 192 kbps maximum is a rule, and 128 kbps minimum is a guideline.
It is not. It would make sense as a guideline though. Should I change it this way ?
Sakura

Odaril wrote:

ziin wrote:

By forcing lower bitrates, it saves bandwidth regardless, without falling under the "24 MB beatmap" rule. It also should be noted that 192 kbps maximum is a rule, and 128 kbps minimum is a guideline.
It is not. It would make sense as a guideline though. Should I change it this way ?
Do you even know why it's enforced this way to begin with?
ychao
Please pardon my n00b question here: Is the use of 320kbps files strictly forbidden?

I've read the OP excerpt that 128 - 192kbps ones should be used but I've already started mapping quite a bit, so I was wondering if a degradation in audio quality is really necessary. Judging from the fact that there wouldn't be any video in it I seriously doubt it will exceed the 24mb cap.
Sakura

ychao24 wrote:

Please pardon my n00b question here: Is the use of 320kbps files strictly forbidden?

I've read the OP excerpt that 128 - 192kbps ones should be used but I've already started mapping quite a bit, so I was wondering if a degradation in audio quality is really necessary. Judging from the fact that there wouldn't be any video in it I seriously doubt it will exceed the 24mb cap.
Yes anything higher than 196 is strictly forbidden for the reason that peppy doesn't want to distribute lossless nor semi lossless through osu!
Topic Starter
Shiro

ychao24 wrote:

Please pardon my n00b question here: Is the use of 320kbps files strictly forbidden?

I've read the OP excerpt that 128 - 192kbps ones should be used but I've already started mapping quite a bit, so I was wondering if a degradation in audio quality is really necessary. Judging from the fact that there wouldn't be any video in it I seriously doubt it will exceed the 24mb cap.
The rule says must. And yes, the use 320 kbps is strictly forbidden.

And this rule isn't about filesize. Using 320 kbps mp3s means we'd be distributing lossless mp3s all over the internet for free.

EDIT: ninja'd by Sakura
ychao
Lol'd at ninja Sakura.

Anyway, thanks for the speedy clarification and the reason behind this rule implementation. I'll make the necessary amendments then.

EDIT: @Odaril - mp3s are lossy files. But yes I get the idea, thank you.
CXu
Hurrdurr, can't you use a 320kbps .mp3 as long as you made the song yourself or something \o\
ziin

CXu wrote:

Hurrdurr, can't you use a 320kbps .mp3 as long as you made the song yourself or something \o\
No, as I said.

ziin wrote:

The reason this rule exists is for quality filesize reasons, along with minor other reasons that are just gravy.

By forcing lower bitrates, it saves bandwidth regardless, without falling under the "24 MB beatmap" rule.
The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality and must not exceed an average of 192 kbps. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file of 128 kbps - 192 kbps, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you.

Might still need some rewording, but I see no reason to break a rule just because the creator of the song didn't release it at anything higher than 80 kbps (and all the other samples online were from that lower quality original). Likewise, if I use vbr and get a decent quality and it averages out to 120 kbps, I should be able to use it. The spirit of the rule is good quality and nothing over 192 kbps. This is to keep the filesize down, and lessen strain on bandwidth. It does not matter if you own the song (you take all responsibility when you upload a song anyway).

A side effect is that osu is less likely to be used as an illegal file sharing site, as only fairly lossy files are shared.
Sakura
Might need splitting into a guideline and a rule, being a rule that it can't be higher than 192 but guideline that it cant be lower than 128, and i do know there are times where something 128 or higher does not exist anywhere.
Topic Starter
Shiro
The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality and must not exceed an average of 192 kbps. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file of 128 kbps - 192 kbps, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you.

I like this wording. It solves all the issues discussed in this thread.
HakuNoKaemi
I didn't remember about 8bit songs needing less bitrate, gomen..
Anyway, yes, this rule was mode to prevent osu! being a pirate game while keeping a decent audio quality.
But you can actually use an higher bitrate if you DO possess the copyrights over that song (e.g. is made by you) in every parts ( if you're using a certain drumset or created it with a certain software, THAT YOU PAID ) you can use an higher bitrate.

Anyway, can support it...
Topic Starter
Shiro

HakuNoKaemi wrote:

I didn't remember about 8bit songs needing less bitrate, gomen..
Anyway, yes, this rule was mode to prevent osu! being a pirate game while keeping a decent audio quality.
But you can actually use an higher bitrate if you DO possess the copyrights over that song (e.g. is made by you) in every parts ( if you're using a certain drumset or created it with a certain software, THAT YOU PAID ) you can use an higher bitrate.

Anyway, can support it...
This rule only covers song mp3s. There's no limitation (afaik) on hitsound wav files.
As for mp3s you have full copyrights over... You'd need to prove it and everything, which would be quite annoying - 192 kbps is good enough. Unless you really want it distributed with the best possible quality. Let's go with this wording anyway:

The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality and must not exceed an average of 192 kbps. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file of 128 kbps - 192 kbps, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you. If you have full rights on the mp3 you are using, you can go over 192 kbps bitrate.
HakuNoKaemi
Can support it, as It's considering every possibility as now (wasn't talking about hitsounds anyway)
ziin

HakuNoKaemi wrote:

Anyway, yes, this rule was mode to prevent osu! being a pirate game while keeping a decent audio quality.
But you can actually use an higher bitrate if you DO possess the copyrights over that song (e.g. is made by you) in every parts ( if you're using a certain drumset or created it with a certain software, THAT YOU PAID ) you can use an higher bitrate.
No, it wasn't. The reason is filesize. The pirate part is a side effect. Obviously wav files do not count. They are under 30 seconds long, and typically audio under 30 seconds long is covered under fair use. And nobody is going to care if you used a cymbal crash at 1400 kbps; the filesize is tiny and it compresses well.

Odaril wrote:

The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality and must not exceed an average of 192 kbps. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file of 128 kbps - 192 kbps, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you. If you have full rights on the mp3 you are using, you can go over 192 kbps bitrate.
we can't go over 192 for the actual song, period (if you want it ranked). You can link the high quality in the original post if you want.

Technically you own the copyright for every song you submit, or have legal permission to distribute it. Everyone knows this is not the case, but that's how law works. peppy confirmed this in chat a while back, which I don't have logs for.
Sakura
Sorry ziin, but they are right, if you possess all rights to the song you are allowed to upload up to 320 kbps if you want.
ziin
8. USER SUBMISSIONS AND CONTENT REMOVAL
You shall be solely responsible for your own User Submissions and the consequences of posting or publishing them. In connection with User Submissions, you affirm, represent, and/or warrant that: you own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to use and authorize osu.ppy.sh to use all patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights in and to any and all User Submissions to enable inclusion and use of the User Submissions in the manner contemplated by the Website and these Terms of Service.

In connection with User Submissions, you further agree that you will not submit material that is copyrighted, protected by trade secret or otherwise subject to third party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights, unless you are the owner of such rights or have permission from their rightful owner to post the material and to grant osu.ppy.sh all of the license rights granted herein.

osu.ppy.sh does not endorse any User Submission or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein, and osu.ppy.sh expressly disclaims any and all liability in connection with User Submissions. osu.ppy.sh does not permit copyright infringing activities and infringement of intellectual property rights on its Website, and osu.ppy.sh will remove all Content and User Submissions if properly notified that such Content or User Submission infringes on another's intellectual property rights. osu.ppy.sh reserves the right to remove Content and User Submissions without prior notice.
osu! and the submission system exist under the assumption that all users own their respective rights to their songs. This rule would be against the terms of service.
Mara
What if the song doesn't have any better quality than under 128kbps?
Sakura

LunaticMara wrote:

What if the song doesn't have any better quality than under 128kbps?

Sakura Hana wrote:

Might need splitting into a guideline and a rule, being a rule that it can't be higher than 192 but guideline that it cant be lower than 128, and i do know there are times where something 128 or higher does not exist anywhere.
Edit:
@ziin: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=40016 This is when the max bitrate was lowered to 192 kbps
Mara
Oh god, this is what I get for being too lazy to read.
D33d
It would definitely be an improvement to mention VBR. Common sense goes out of the window when less informative rules cause even a MAT to point out irrelevant "unrankable" things.
Topic Starter
Shiro
The song's audio file must be of reasonable quality and must not exceed an average of 192 kbps. Try and source mp3 files yourself; ripping them from a streaming video site often results in low quality audio with high file sizes. If you are having trouble acquiring an appropriate audio file of 128 kbps - 192 kbps, contact one of the more audio-savvy BAT; they will be more than happy to help find an mp3 for you.

ziin's wording.

Is that fine to amend ?
ztrot
something like this has been set in stone for a long time sure why not
HakuNoKaemi
As I remember now, suggest using better audio analyzers (like GSpot) as some people don't know the difference between CBR and VBR. GSpot directly says the average, for example...
Though Win 7 says the average too
ziin
size / length = bitrate.

I use MPC more often than not.
HakuNoKaemi
no one does that simple division, actually >.<
no one think a 2 Mb song can't be a 320 kbps
Please sign in to reply.

New reply