Unrelated podcasts: one voice sounds like two or more, switching back and forth.

App version: x.y.z (state whether from Google Play/F-Droid/Custom built APK)
AntennaPod version 3.3.2(701b1ce33), from Google Play

Android version: 12 (no custom anything)

Device model:Pixel 3a

Expected behaviour:One voice sounds like one peron’s voice. This is still true with most podcasts.

Current behaviour:On two unrelated podcasts (not even same network), one voice sounds like two or more people with very similar voices, completing each others words and sentences, without breaks. Talk also seems faster than on other podcasts.
Both podcasts are two women (whose natural voices are distinct) having a conversation. I’ve heard the host women before, for months or years, without this effect.

First occurred: (e.g. about x days/weeks ago) Maybe 2 to 4 days ago (Sorry, I have 99th percentile, non-hyper, “inattentive type” ADD, and can’t remember for sure.).

Steps to reproduce:

  1. This [Start next podcast, manually or automatically in queue.]
  2. Then that [Podcast episode starts, as usual.]
  3. Then this [… but the voices are strange.]
  4. [I haven’t noticed words being split, but one word to the next transition is weird.]
  5. [No echo, because nothing is being repeated. It sounds as if an echo is continuing each thought.].

Environment: (Settings you have changed (e.g. Auto Download). “Unusual” devices you use (e.g. Bluetooth headphones). Did you select another media player?)
I don’t have any other media players. I changed no settings in months. When this effect started, I tried slowing playback from 1.1 to 0.75.

Stacktrace/Logcat:

[if available] What?  What is that?

In case it’s relevant, might include the name of the two podcasts in your example.

Have you tried listening back to an older episode of this podcast from before you first noticed this happening?

I’ll try to remember. …
One is Practically Happy.
I think the other is Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay.

I’m trying older episodes of Practically Happy, now. I reminded myself why I stopped listening to their 4 July 2024 episode. It’s stuttery, also has voice changes, and seems to be playing too fast, with no pauses at all.

I am listening to their 13 June 2024 episode, and it sounds fine.

I have emailed Miranda Anderson, describing my experience.

That sounds like you enabled “skip silence” in the speed settings

I noticed that setting, recently and that it’s activated. I did not interact with it. That’s a “feature” that needs more work. I know everyone is volunteering their time. I volunteer my drawing and painting ability, and wonder how I’m going to get it all done, on schedule. :slight_smile:

I believe Skip Silence was unintentionally activated a version or two ago. (I experienced the same thing you describe: “playing too fast, with no pauses at all.”) Once I realized what was going on I deactivated it and all has been well for me since then.

1 Like