Converting Audio Files

[+emmab84]

Hi there.

 

First post and sorry if it's in the wrong place.

 

I keep coming across puzzle caches with audio (mp3) files that have a message or something in and I cant seem to find a decent website or app or something to use to convert them to get the info to find the cache.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance

 

emmab84

[+TriciaG]

What kind of conversion needs to be done?

[+emmab84]

I know I have an mp3 file with words that go into the co-ords somehow :/

[+Harry Dolphin]

For a Morse code puzzle cache, I use Audacity.

[+emmab84]

For a Morse code puzzle cache, I use Audacity.

 

its got a woman saying words and numbers

[+TriciaG]

I'm not sure you need to convert anything, then. You probably just need to decode what she's saying.

[+emmab84]

The CO did say it could be put into something on line to decode but that was the trouble I was having was to find somewhere.

[Blue Square Thing]

Audacity would let you slice it up and do all sorts of interesting things to it - reverse, slow it down etc... as needed, It's free and cross platform. If you'll be using mp3 files then you'll probably need the Lame dll - there are instructions on the Audacity site which are relatively easy to follow...

[+TriciaG]

You don't need the LAME encoder unless you're making MP3s. It isn't needed to decode/open them in Audacity.

 

The CO did say it could be put into something on line to decode but that was the trouble I was having was to find somewhere.

OK, then you don't need Audacity, but something online... somewhere... to do something...

[+niraD]

What kind of conversion needs to be done?

That's the $64,000 question. There are any number of ways to encode information in an audio file. Or maybe the audio file is a red herring, with nothing to do with the actual puzzle. It wouldn't be the first puzzle cache with such a red herring.

 

But according to section 2-D of the geocaching.com terms of use, "You agree not to: [...] xxiii. Publish on our websites the solutions, hints, spoilers, or any hidden coordinates for any geocache without consent from the geocache owner.” However, here are some general puzzle tips (based in part on a puzzle-solving class event presented by The Rat a while ago):

 

Identify the theme. Check the cache title, the hint, the HTML source, the graphics (including names/URLs), any links (including URLs), whatever is at the posted coordinates, etc. If you can figure out the theme, then you should look for numbering systems that are associated with that theme (zip codes, athletes’ jersey numbers, episode numbers, product codes, etc.).

 

Around here, coordinates will have 15 digits, and will look like "N 37° xx.xxx W 122° xx.xxx". So when I'm solving a nearby puzzle, I look for a group of 15 things, and then I look for ways to get the digits 37xxxxx122xxxxx from them. In general, I look for ways to get the number 37 (or the digits 3 and 7) from something near the beginning of the puzzle, and the number 122 (or the digits 1, 2, and 2) from something near the middle of the puzzle. (Of course, you'll need to adjust this for the coordinates near you.)

 

Other useful resources include:

Puzzle Solving 101 Series (bookmark list)

Puzzle Shortcuts Series (bookmark list)

Solving Puzzle Caches (online article)

How Do I Solve All These $@! Puzzle Caches? (tutorial-style puzzle cache)

Puzzle FUNdamentals (archived event cache) and the Puzzle FUNdamentals resources on the GeocacheAlaska! education page

The GBA's Puzzle Cache FAQ (for puzzle designers, but useful for understanding how puzzle caches work)

 

If you’re interested in extremely challenging puzzles, then consider the online discussions of Venona’s ACTIVITIES in the GBA forums. The puzzles for this annual event are very challenging, intended to be solved by multiple people working together online. (You'll need to register on the GBA site to view these forum threads.)

Overview: Venona's 2011 ACTIVITIES

Overview: Venona's 2012 ACTIVITIES