# Can't hear external samples

**URL:** <https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175>\
**Category:** Support, Help & Resources\
**Created:** [September 21, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175 "2023-09-21T19:31:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![steffen.krogmann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@steffen.krogmann](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/u/steffen.krogmann)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175/1 "2023-09-21T19:31:27Z")

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Hi,

I tried to import an external sample called “test.flac”, but I can’t hear anything.

Sonic Pi seems to recognize the file and the internal sounds in Sonic Pi work just fine (see attached screenshot).

I am using Linux Mint.

Can anyone help? Thanks!

 ![sample test screenshot](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/uploads/sonic_pi/original/2X/f/f37ff51dc5c10d1c256e2b49353f2bbace5100df.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![robin.newman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@robin.newman](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/u/robin.newman)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175/2 "2023-09-21T21:51:33Z")

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Have you checked the sample is ok? Can you play it with audacity for example.

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**Author:** ![steffen.krogmann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@steffen.krogmann](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/u/steffen.krogmann)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175/3 "2023-09-21T23:14:26Z")

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Thanks for the quick feedback.

The audio sample was ok. The issue seems to be related to the file format.

When I use .wav files, it works. But the original file was a .flac file, which didn’t work inside Sonic Pi.

I thought it would/should work, because that file format is mentioned in the tutorial.

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**Author:** ![robin.newman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@robin.newman](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/u/robin.newman)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 8:27am UTC](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175/4 "2023-09-22T08:27:06Z")

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.flac samples should work since SPversion 2.1 Their main advantage is a size reduction. However there is nothing inherenetly wrong in using .wav samples, and Sonic Pi still saves recordings in .wav format.  
I have often covnerted samples from various other formats, and I find that audacity is very reliable in producing .flac samples. I don’t know how you produced your sample, but worth exsperimenting further in its production.

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**Author:** ![steffen.krogmann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@steffen.krogmann](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/u/steffen.krogmann)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 11:42am UTC](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/cant-hear-external-samples/8175/5 "2023-09-22T11:42:10Z")

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I used a linux app called sound recorder to record something from my mic.

I guess I will try out a few different apps. But for now, wav files work fine. And i could always convert.