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I just reformatted my computer, and decided to rip most of my CDs to my computer. I'm using the MP3 format, and since a lot of you seem to know what's best, here's my question:
I was thinking of using a 192kb bitrate. I COULD technically go for either 256 or 320kb. Am I really missing out on anything with a lower bitrate? How much of a sound degradation is there with 192kb, versus, say 256 or 320? :confused:
I always rip to 320kbps. If you have adequate headphones and soundsystem the difference is huge. On something like your PC speaker... not so much.
Personally, I rip everything to a lossless codec like FLAC then transcode to a 320 vbr for portables.
I just recently discovered FLAC, so I've been using that lately.
ALAC here.
I like to use 128kbps for mp3's on my cdrw discs, this is to fit 300 files on 700mb discs. I love my mp3 boombox and i have 128kbps as the minimum for good sound, if i go lower then the sound starts to echo, and sound like it's behind a curtain with muffled voice.
Ogg Vorbis at roughly 128 kbit/sec (quality setting 4). Much superior to MP3 at the same kinds of bitrates.
Always Wav and FLAC, everything else is lossy compression. Especially Mp3 and M4a.
I usually rip lossless to PCM .wav / FLAC.
For MP3s I use 320kbs @ q=0.
I've done a blind test with very good speakers and was BARELY able to distinguish .wav
from 128 bit/s .mp3. It all depends on your codecs though. A bad mp3 codec will ruin the
file, but you should be safe if you download a new version of lame. As far my preferences
go, 192 kbit/s is king size. One big step over the 128 kbit/s setting, means it is just too
good to hear any difference. I never need higher settings with lossy encodings.
Note: your experience might differ, if you use some equalizer settings, like turning high
frequencies louder than everything else. In this case you might want to use .ogg with
same bitrate, or do a 256 kbit/s .mp3.
I use headphones mostly and I can clearly hear a difference between 192kbps and 320kbps.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.Saibot
I think it depends a lot on the source material though. 128kbps at q=0 probably is a pretty decent setting for audio books, etc. But the more things are going on at the same time, the more you loose when encoding to lower bitrates (or perhaps more correctly: the more noticeable your loss becomes).
I stick with MP3 formats, but I long for the day I can use lossless on the go. I rip with 320 kbps variable, it seems to be the best compromise of quality and filesize to me.
LOL @ FLAC elitists. Most people can't tell the difference until the bitrates are too low.
I'd recommend you go with AAC (M4A). Use Nero's AAC codec along with a GUI to get the best results. MP3 is a serious waste of space, and Ogg Vorbis isn't widely supported. As for the ideal bitrate? I'd say ~200kbps is the sweet spot for me, but don't take my word as gospel you can try experimenting before deciding on an optimal value. Oh and always use VBR, not CBR.
I either use FLAC, or VBR mp3's @ q=0 with a minimum bitrate of 224, maximum 320.
16 bit!
If using this:
http://www.ldi.co.jp/images/27.jpg
or laptop/PC speakers
Use mp3 at 192kb/sec or greater.
If using this or similar:
http://www.productwiki.com/upload/im...60-400-400.jpg
Or listening to this:
http://www.mcseavey.org/image/StFrank3.jpg
Use FLAC.
http://beveravenuevenue.groupsite.co...n_on_drugs.jpg
Any questions?
I I have to compress for space, like on my iPod, it's 320kbps AAC..
Just go with 192 MP3, dude. You can listen to it on anything - or even use it as a phone ringtone! - and it'll sound perfectly fine. The software that came with your computer's OS will even rip it for you, tag it, probably add album art, and file it away neatly for convenience.
It makes sense to use flac. I ripped all my CDs to PC with flac, this way I can do aQuote:
Originally Posted by Pulstar
perfectly fine .mp3 OR .ogg OR whatever else I want, any time. If I would have
everything in lossy, then converting it to other lossy formats would result in an audible
decrease in quality. With 160 GB of space there really is no point in trying to keep the
filesize down.
And if I feel like it, I can even do peak analysis in Audacity or just look at how
compressed/dynamic my music really is. When converting to something lossy you
would change the waveform as seen in Audacity, thus making such fun activities
rather pointless.
Hmm, headphones might be better for hearing small differences. Too bad I can't test myQuote:
Originally Posted by Christuserloeser
hearing ability with good headphones, mine are in the slow process of dying right now
and were never good to begin with.
I never rip to MP3, be it 56kbit or 320kbit... MP3 sucks with most codecs...
If I rip, i'll do straight WAVs, or FLACs or APEs or anything else thats lossless. If I want to send a file to a friend etc. I'll OGG the file... low Kbit OGG sounds better than much higher kbit MP3, spectrograms look much better too.
Yeah, .ape is something I forgot about. Monkeys audio codec rules! It has bigger
compression rates than flac and is lossless. A shame that support under Linux is kind of a
problem.
For me, it really depends on the device I use it for.
I initially rip most of my CD's in FLAC format, and then encode them to other formats for my portable players. I use 128kbs AAC files for PSP, 256kbs AAC for iPods, and OGGs for everything that supports it.
The OP could just rip straight to AAC using EAC or a similar program (I use dbPoweramp myself, greater flexibility with external encoders), bypassing this FLAC business in the process. I'm sure he didn't ask how to archive his CDs.
I wish MP3 would just go away. It's a serious waste of space. I like Vorbis but let's face it the format will never be supported as much as AAC.
I'd appreciate some song recommendations to test various codecs with. Songs like Enigma's Eyes of Truth where compression artefacts can be heard by most people. And no metal please :p
metal is quite good for testing, because cymbals get really messed up with most codecs, especially MP3 :P
320 is the way to go... Wav first, 320 second.
You do realize that cymbals can be in 'any' kind of music right? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by TmEE
I've been using several tracks from Fragile by Nine Inch Nails to compare 192kbit vs 320kbit.
FLAC or 320 VBR. I say most of the time on my headphones 192 just doesn't quite cut it.
I would think that with your setup, you'd be a FLAC man exclusively. I haven't seen your headphones, but I think the same rule would apply.Quote:
Originally Posted by MN12BIRD
Why? 192 is shit compared to 320. A monkey could tell you that... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Christuserloeser
A 192 will work... I agree with that (I have lots of tracks I've dled from unsigned artists that are 192s and they sound great), but if the OP has the 'choice'.... I think 192 is silly compared to the extra space a 320 will take up considering how much better the 320 will sound.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pulstar
penny
penny
Yeah 192 can sound pretty good with a good encoder. The encoder makes just as big an impact on SQL. You can encode with WMP at 320 and they'll sound like shit compared to the same songs encoded in LAME at 192 so another thing to keep in mind!
I don't ear any difference between 70 and 320, with my MP3 Player!
I think 320 kbsec is way too heavy for a song, most of my MP3 are 128 KB/Sec, but for a few songs and very heavy funny sketchs (François Pérusse, some are 11 min long, so it's freaking heavy), I reconvert them in 70 Kb/sec.
Metal has most creative use for the most part :PQuote:
Originally Posted by OldSchool
:huh: wowQuote:
Originally Posted by GameX
That's a laugh considering Metal will always sound like Metal. That's the dumbest thing I've heard you say.Quote:
Originally Posted by TmEE
Wow?
I said something strange there? ^^"
Yeah well either your MP3 player is crap or your ears are crap! 70KBps should make your ears bleed and even 128 should usually be very easy to hear the lack of sound quality! Also why is stuff so heavy? Is there a problem with the Earths gravitational pull?
!
Astounding!
But even with my computer, I don't hear the difference!
I'm using a shareware converter, it's a trial. Maybe the convertion is good, dunno.
I reinstall it when the trial is expired, and it works again. The trial restart! :mrgreen:
Heavy stuff, I don't know. 12 min for a sketch of 128 kbps... But I really dislike the 320 kbps. Too much space for nothing (Well, don't hear the difference. :p ).