Why are there sounds audible during WhatsApp voice messages - briefly?
Sounds audible during WhatsApp voice messages primarily result from the app's compression and encoding process, which reduces file size but can introduce artifacts. Additionally, background noise from the sender's environment may also be captured and transmitted during recording.
Why are there sounds audible during WhatsApp voice messages - in detail?
The audibility of background sounds during WhatsApp voice messages can be attributed to several factors, primarily related to the encoding and transmission processes employed by the platform.
When a user records a voice message on WhatsApp, the audio is not processed in real time but rather captured and then encoded for transmission. This process allows the message to be sent efficiently over data networks, ensuring that it reaches the recipient quickly and reliably. However, this encoding method does not filter out background noises present during the recording. As a result, any ambient sounds such as traffic noise, people talking, or other environmental noises are captured along with the user's voice and included in the final message.
Additionally, WhatsApp prioritizes maintaining the integrity of the audio content rather than applying advanced noise-cancellation techniques that could potentially distort the primary message. This approach ensures that the recipient hears the voice message as authentically as possible, with minimal alterations to the original recording.
Moreover, the encoding format used by WhatsApp, known as Opus, is designed for high efficiency and quality at low bitrates. While this format is excellent for preserving the clarity of speech, it does not inherently include features for background noise suppression. The focus is on optimizing the transmission of spoken words rather than filtering out extraneous sounds.
In summary, the presence of audible background sounds in WhatsApp voice messages is a consequence of the platform's encoding and transmission processes. By capturing and transmitting the audio as accurately as possible, without applying noise-cancellation techniques, WhatsApp ensures that the recipient receives an authentic representation of the user's environment along with their message.