Need a good free (or inexpensive) MP3 encoder

[MDesigner]

I've had recommendations for winLAME, but its 128Kbps mp3s sound watery.. really crappy encoding. Is there something else that pumps out impressive 128Kbps encoded mp3s? Thanks

PS: Don't try to talk me into 196Kbps.. I know it rocks But it must be at 128Kbps for technical and size requirements

 

[sean2002]

Exact audio copy EAC with the latest LAME codec. LAME

BTW @ 128K you are better off using the latest vorbis (.ogg) codec as the quality is better than mp3

 

[MDesigner]

EAC? I'm not ripping CDs though.. I'm converting WAVs to MP3s. And as I said.... Ogg or any other format won't do. It has to be MP3 128Kbps.

I seem to have the latest winLAME by the way. The 128Kbps mp3s it produces are not usable quality.

 

[tkdkid]

You could try downloading the regular (command line) version of lame and see what that does. It's widely regarded as the best mp3 encoder out there...so if it doesn't sound good enough for you then your only choices are to either change format, up the bitrate, or encode in vbr instead of cbr.

 

[sean2002]

You could still use EAC as a front endfor the lame codec

 

[kd7fhd]

Use Lame to encode your .wav's.

Use RazorLame which is a Lame frontend so you don't have to use the DOS command line.