LAME audio encoding options...what do you use?

[Earwax]

I wasn't sure where to post this topic, so I just stuck it here.

I'm using LAME to encode some cds I recently acquired, I recently switched to lame because I was sick of the quality of the Xing encoder. I was wondering what settings are best on LAME if I'm going to have a bitrate of around 256kbps. Should I just joint stereo or stereo? And should I use a q level of 0, 1 or 2?

What options do you use?


Thanks.

 

[nord1899]

Required r3mix link for mp3 discussions.

I use "--r3mix" which produces top quality vbr encoding.

 

[GL]

<< Required r3mix link for mp3 discussions.

I use "--r3mix" which produces top quality vbr encoding. >>



Actually with LAME 3.90, the best option is now "--alt-preset extreme"

"--r3mix" has been made obsolete (although it still works) and the equivalent setting is "--alt-preset standard"

--r3mix is considered "High Quality"
--alt-preset standard is considered "Very High Quality"
--alt-preset extreme is considered "Very High Quality +"

List of recommended settings

 

[mithrandir2001]

Yes, use "--alt-preset standard". It is a simple way to ensure high quality recordings every time. You don't have to bother with all of the myriad switches that LAME offers because this new preset combines the best settings for you. Just use "--alt-preset standard" and your MP3s will sound great!

Be sure to get the LAME 3.90.2 MMX version which fixes a bug in the 3.90 stable release. You can get these binaries here.

 

[GL]

<< Be sure to get the LAME 3.90.2 MMX version which fixes a bug in the 3.90 stable release. You can get these binaries here. >>



Thanks for the heads-up...I didn't know about this.

 

[mithrandir2001]

It's one of those "unofficial" releases that won't get fixed officially by the LAME group until 3.91. It basically fixes a problem with "--alt-preset fast standard", but if you don't use that switch, the 3.90 stable version is OK.

 

[BlackSoul]

--dm-preset xtreme Accept no substitutes, Dibrom is the MAN!!!!!!!!

 

[mithrandir2001]

--dm-preset is now deprecated in the 3.90.x releases. Use --alt-preset now. I THINK the presets may have been remapped...that is, --dm-preset extreme is now --alt-preset standard. There is also a --alt-preset extreme switch. Unless size is no issue to you, you will get a lot more mileage from --alt-preset standard. I cannot hear any improvement with --alt-preset extreme and it tacks on about 40kbps to the bitrate.

In any case, dibrom's work is truly superlative.

 

[bcterps]

wow, i just encoded some stuff with --alt-present standard, and it rocks! Of course that was compared to something I had encoded at 160k, now I gotta compare it to some of my --r3mix stuff.

--Ben