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Your MP3 bitrates
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Senior User
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: CA
Status: Offline
Mar 5, 2001, 08:44 PM
 
I was wondering what settings you guys/gals use when you encode MP3's. Also, does anyone actually notice any difference when the bitrate is 128 kb/s and up?
My settings on SoundJam are:
VBR w/ at least 128 Kb/s
VBR Quality: Highest Quality
Channels: Auto
Stereo Mode: Joint
Sample Rate: Auto
Performance: Best Quality

Adv. Options turned on: Smart Encoding Adjustments and Filter Frequencies below 10 Hz

I get close to 160 Kb/s with the VBR, which is my target.
Current: XPC SB81P, 3GHz P4, 1GB RAM; Compaq Presario V2410US, Turion 64 ML-30, 512MB RAM
Previous: Sawtooth G4/400 448MB RAM
ATI Radeon 8500 64MB - flashed variant
OS X 10.3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399 37510
Future: 13" Widescreen Powerbook, Core Duo Intel
     
Wetsponge
Guest
Status:
Mar 5, 2001, 10:19 PM
 
you won't notice much in sound over 128 on a set of computer speakers, there is definitely the psycho-acoustic factor when it comes to higher bit rates. As a muscian, my ear is a little more discerning when it comes to music, i tend to like higher bit rates, though on my computer speakers, it doesn't matter. when i want to burn an mp3 to a cd, it's most likely b/c i want to listen to it in my car, if that's the case, i'll try to find a higher quality, b/c the bass drivers in my car system and my regular non-computer system are definitely more powerful, and with a lower quality mp3, much of that lower and higher end data is lost in the conversion.
     
Senior User
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Orange County, Ca
Status: Offline
Mar 6, 2001, 02:52 AM
 
I had all my MP3's in VBR. When I switched to iTunes, it has a problem with the VBR and thinks that the mp3's are 75% of the length they really are.
     
Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Status: Offline
Mar 6, 2001, 02:44 PM
 
Personally, I record at 192 w/o VBR. I find 128 lacks depth and clear treble/bass. I got a Maxtor 80Gb FireWire external the other day just for music. 5200 rpm is plenty for me -- no iMovie yet. I've only used up 12Gb to date with approximately 2600 songs. Looks like my theoretical max is roughly 17,000 songs.

<still saving for more overpriced CDs ... damn Napster injunction>
     
Senior User
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: France
Status: Offline
Mar 6, 2001, 03:18 PM
 
VBR w/ at least 128, quality: Medium-Low (it makes approx 135 kbps)


noliv
-noliv
     
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 1999
Status: Offline
Mar 7, 2001, 07:26 AM
 
Here is an article that should help you.
http://www.macdigitalaudio.com/artic...cdqualitymp3s/
- s p e n c e r
     
pdot  (op)
Senior User
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: CA
Status: Offline
Mar 8, 2001, 05:52 AM
 
I appreciate the input, but I was hoping this be more of a survey...

[This message has been edited by pdot (edited 03-08-2001).]
Current: XPC SB81P, 3GHz P4, 1GB RAM; Compaq Presario V2410US, Turion 64 ML-30, 512MB RAM
Previous: Sawtooth G4/400 448MB RAM
ATI Radeon 8500 64MB - flashed variant
OS X 10.3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399 37510
Future: 13" Widescreen Powerbook, Core Duo Intel
     
Forum Regular
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chicago
Status: Offline
Mar 8, 2001, 10:51 AM
 
I still do 160/Joint Stereo.
Checking that "high quality" checkbox buried in your encoder makes much more difference than bumping the bitrate.
     
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 1999
Status: Offline
Mar 13, 2001, 05:03 PM
 
I generally use 160 stero . high quality
however i think I'm going to try using VBR to see if there is a difference. probably between 128 and 256
- s p e n c e r
     
Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Medford, MA
Status: Offline
Mar 20, 2001, 12:07 PM
 
I use 160 high quality VBR medium.
     
 
   
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