I am not an audio aficionado, so I can't describe it any better, but some of the mp3s I download sound empty and bland. While if I watch say a Music video it seems to feel Full even though the track is only 128kbps mpga.
Mp3s sound Empty Sometimes. Why?
- Thread starter Calculator83
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All true. Plus, each original recording is done different, so some are going to sound "fuller" no matter how well the encoding to MP3 is done.
Just as a random example, Metallica's ...And Justice For All album was recorded in a manner I would describe as heavily compressed, so the treble sounds very tinny at times, and the bass a bit flat. I have no idea why they chose to do that, but it was obviously how they wanted it to sound. Compare that with their black album, and the soundspace is much more stretched, meaning the treble extends and opens up, while the bass is a bit crisper.
So, my point being, if you're comparing 2 different songs and saying one sounds "empty" to you, it may have absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the MP3, but just how it was recorded originally.
BassBomb
Diamond Member
- Nov 25, 2005
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Yup theres alot of differences in the way songs can be cut to vinyl.
For example there is a song I have which I heard on radio show the DJ got as an MP3. It has far too much bass to be cut to vinyl!
Option for him would be to reduce the db and cut it, or reduce only the bass and cut it to vinyl.
Then there are other artists who like to have the high treble kind of sound and record in that manner.
There are many stops on the train to your speakers.
For example there is a song I have which I heard on radio show the DJ got as an MP3. It has far too much bass to be cut to vinyl!
Option for him would be to reduce the db and cut it, or reduce only the bass and cut it to vinyl.
Then there are other artists who like to have the high treble kind of sound and record in that manner.
There are many stops on the train to your speakers.
So what can I do to make it ""full"".
Does that Xfi card thing do it? I have an old 2zs right now.
Does that Xfi card thing do it? I have an old 2zs right now.
Well, you can adjust the EQ and whatnot, but if the song wasn't recorded that way to begin with, there's not much you can do to change that.
herm0016
Diamond Member
- Feb 26, 2005
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it is probably because the song has a high dynamic range and encoding it to mp3 cuts the range down a lot. you may be able to eq it to smooth out the response, but you cant get back any of the information that is lost.
wtf are you talking about cutting to vinyl for? when a song is cut to vinyl it is run through the RIAA eq. it has nothing to do with encoding to an mp3 or why an mp3 sounds bad. nothing that is recorded now is recorded directly to a master disk like it use to be. if the recording is going to be cut they will have a specific mix just for the vinyl release, which will sound different, and usually much better than the CD mix. also, songs are regularly mixed for FM radio bandwidth and dynamic range limits.
I love my all analog system, it is amazing how much more detail you can hear over any digital medium.
wtf are you talking about cutting to vinyl for? when a song is cut to vinyl it is run through the RIAA eq. it has nothing to do with encoding to an mp3 or why an mp3 sounds bad. nothing that is recorded now is recorded directly to a master disk like it use to be. if the recording is going to be cut they will have a specific mix just for the vinyl release, which will sound different, and usually much better than the CD mix. also, songs are regularly mixed for FM radio bandwidth and dynamic range limits.
I love my all analog system, it is amazing how much more detail you can hear over any digital medium.
The x-fi crystallizer? It doesnt work too great overall IMO. I am using daniel k's modded p17 driver which unlocked crystallizer for me, but IMO it over emphasizes the treble (highs) way way too much. I will say that it does work for some songs, and for some music videos on youtube it can make them sound better. Maybe try tweaking some EQ settings, but the quality of mp3's like previously mentioned is completely dependent on the source quality and how the file was ripped.
Rubycon
Madame President
- Aug 10, 2005
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Compression in MP3 encoding and compression (RMS normalization - commonly used in broadcasting to make advertisements as loud as possible without splattering) are completely different things. MP3 compression will NOT change dynamic range.
The only way to compare the two is have the CD and MP3 and listen to each. (ASSuming the MP3 you have was encoded from the same source as the CD)
The crystalizer feature on x-fi cards is a combination of an upward expander (to increase dynamic range) and a dynamic equalizer with bands in the lower ranges and higher frequencies. It distorts the output and should be used very carefully and very conservatively. At the maximum setting it can overload the sound card's output producing a distorted waveform that can damage speakers if the volume level is set too high (even if the amplifier does not clip!).
The only way to compare the two is have the CD and MP3 and listen to each. (ASSuming the MP3 you have was encoded from the same source as the CD)
The crystalizer feature on x-fi cards is a combination of an upward expander (to increase dynamic range) and a dynamic equalizer with bands in the lower ranges and higher frequencies. It distorts the output and should be used very carefully and very conservatively. At the maximum setting it can overload the sound card's output producing a distorted waveform that can damage speakers if the volume level is set too high (even if the amplifier does not clip!).
It's the source, size compression techniques aside. Most modern recordings are "thin" with a lot of dynamic range compression and you can't get rid of that. You don't get this so much with video, it's there but it isn't nearly as bad.
If you want good sound you're going to have to get good recordings which are getting hard and harder to find.
If you want good sound you're going to have to get good recordings which are getting hard and harder to find.
Most pop cds are compressed, some more so than others--to the point that it sounds like an FM broadcast.
Many box sets are straight from the masters. If you really want sound quality then get a record player.
I tried that. but every time I hit a bump, the needle jumped all over the place.
Joking!
I use a Revolver and I love the way vinyl sounds. It's harder to find records around here, but I just order them online.
1prophet
Diamond Member
- Aug 17, 2005
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