|
Register | Blogging | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
09-18-2008, 12:12 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Bringer of Carrots
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 648
|
The "Encoding CD's to MP3's" discussion thread
Not sure if a thread like this already exists.. if so, my apologies to the mods.
Basically I was wondering what everyone encoded their music collection with and at what rate. iTunes settings can be pretty complex (variable bitrate, smart encoding, frequency filters, etc...) has anybody played around with what works and what doesn't?. I've heard that using iTunes to encode is a bad idea... a lot of people use the plugin "LAME". For anyone familiar with LAME, I just downloaded the script to run it with iTunes. I set it to the highest quality (320kbps) and the conversion (for one song) takes a lot longer then a 320 mp3 w/just itunes. Just wondering what exactly are the differences... is it just a more detailed conversion making it sound clearer? would it be worth my time to import my cd collection using LAME or should I just stick with iTunes alone?
__________________
"It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face." |
09-18-2008, 12:15 PM | #2 (permalink) |
Dazed and confuzzled
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: England
Posts: 1,552
|
I'm not an expert on the encoding side but for a start iTunes is usually slower at everything than most other music applications.
__________________
I have acquired four score and nineteen difficulties, but a wench cannot be counted among them |
09-18-2008, 12:53 PM | #3 (permalink) |
Groupie
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 46
|
I used EAC and the Lame V0. I am very happy with this setting. I did a blind abx test between 320 and V0. Found no differences so I went with V0. Trust your own ears though.
Here's some links that helped me out. Info about LAME Ripping Guide |
09-18-2008, 01:00 PM | #4 (permalink) |
Bringer of Carrots
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 648
|
Sweet, thanks... I'll check that out. I've been doing tests but the differences seem to be so minute when you get into the 200-300 kbps range. I actually just purchased a 160gb ipod (the one that is now discontinued... get em while supplies last ) and supposedly you can fit up to 600 albums at lossless quality in that bad boy. If I continue testing and find I don't hear a huge difference from 320 and lossless I may just go w/320... seems stupid to waste so much space for a slight difference.
__________________
"It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face." |
09-18-2008, 02:56 PM | #6 (permalink) |
Bringer of Carrots
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 648
|
Mods, thanks for the move.
Trace... I may look into that now.
__________________
"It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face." |
09-18-2008, 04:17 PM | #7 (permalink) |
Bancount: 3 ^_______^
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 911
|
if you're not using EAC you're wrong
|
09-19-2008, 08:39 AM | #8 (permalink) |
Bringer of Carrots
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 648
|
is that so? I'll check EAC out... nobody likes to be wrong.
__________________
"It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face." |
10-03-2008, 11:36 AM | #9 (permalink) |
Bringer of Carrots
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 648
|
Ok, so since I am working with MAC, to rip using EAC is a big pain in the butt. I've decided to go with the program "Max" (which utilizes the "CDParanoia" ripping codec) and converting all of my CD's into "FLAC" (free lossless audio codec) files. From there I can convert them to MP3/AAC or any other format. From what I've read a "FLAC" file is the same exact sound quality as the CD file... just compressed down 30-40 percent (much like a zip file). Seems to be a win win, I have my entire collection on my computer at the best possible quality.
Anyone on a Mac, I highly recommend checking out the "Max" software... it's very versatile and easy to use.
__________________
"It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face." |
|