znod

Hi Friends:

Well, I now can play MP3's--as you may know as a consequence of my threads on 20.01.00. I am satisfied getting about 3 CD's worth of music on a single MP3 disk. So, I have tried ripping at the highest level--as far as I know (320 as I recall). Despite adjusting the equalizer on my premium sound, the recordings lack tonal range and seem overly sharp and harsh. They also sound horrible on even an old Bose system in the garage.

I have never paid much attention to MP3s. But, I have heard so many times how great they are--approaching or equalling (some would say) CD quality at relatively high compression (say, 128) provided one is not listening on an excellent sound system.

I wonder if anyone has any tips for improving the quality of my MP3's. I have been ripping with Musicmatch Juke Box and burning with Nero Express. But, I have some ripping or burning alternatives--e.g., WMP, iTunes, and MusicMatch--no other dedicated burning programs though.

Thanks in advance.

stream

I rip my CDs using Exact Audio Copy w/ LAME encoder @ 256kbps VBR--download & instructions here:
http://users.pandora.be/satcp/tutorials.htm

Then I normalize volume using MP3Gain @ 94dB:
http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/

I use Nero to burn CDs.

Using a high quality encoder makes a lot of difference. The encoders in Musicmatch, iTunes, etc. are low quality.

BTW--shouldn't this be in the lounge????

znod

Thanks Stream. I'll check the things you mentioned out. Yep, the lounge would be fine. I seldomly go there so I tend not to think of it. On the other hand, there have been so many MP3 discussions here that making good ones might be a topic of interest to many 5 owners--sort of like which gasoline is best, and what should one do about a dent in a 5er, etc. etc.

swajames

Znod, if I recall correctly you are a Mac user in which case you might want to take a look at this for an OS X application which rips into a number of different formats, including a LAME MP3 encoder, and also uses a lookup for CD track data. Re your sound quality issues, to be honest, whilst I broadly agree with Stream, I would doubt the difference between the quality of the Mp3 encoders in applications such MusicMatch and iTunes etc (when compared to subjectively better decoders) is such that it alone is responsible for the poor sound quality. Are you sure you're encoding at the rates you think??

Edited to add (slightly off topic) that for anyone using iTunes to replay their digital music (MP3, AAC or Lossless) I highly recommend exploring Octiv's Volume Logic plug which digitally remasters music on the fly during playback and does (to my ears at least) significantly enhance audio quality. Provides a number of different presets which are much better than the iTunes EQ presets and there is a free 15 day trial.

http://www.octiv.com/index.asp?content=iTunes

http://www.volumelogic.com/index.asp?content=reviews

FiNe60

Top quality mp3's:

1. Rip from original cd with this program --> 192 kbit/s full stereo is enough. Easy CD DA Extractor V9.0.1 (best program available) You may need to edit settings in program.. 192 kbit/s joint stereo to full stereo and disable filtering in lowpass or highpass...

2. Burn data CD or DVD with Nero Burning ROM 7.0.1.4 b

if needed..

3. Re tag Mp3 files with Mp3/TAG Studio v3.5 (best program available)

4. Listen Mp3 files in PC with Winamp v5.2 (build 365 beta)[font=Arial]

znod

Hi swaja:

I use both Macs and PCs--generally I do MP3 ripping with MusicMatch on a Gateway desktop. I don't see how I could be recording at a rate different than shown, and the file sizes are consistent a high level. Whatever the reason, the sound quality thus far has been dismal. Thanks much.

znod

Thanks for the info FiNe60.