what bitrate do you encode MP3s at?

[Instagib]

192

 

[Parrotheader]

160 for most of my stuff. I'm not too picky about the quality and find it to be the best compromise for MY needs between quality and size.

 

[toant103]

128

 

[Derango]

I use ogg vorbis, quality 5.

 

[Vic]

256kbps ABR is generally the best compromise between high quality sound and saving space. If you have to use CBR, then nothing less than 192kbps.

 

[ratkil]

--alt preset insane

 

[tweakmm]

LAME -r3mix VBR

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: NTB
Now that I've got plenty of space to work with, I might re-encode my MP3s. Most of them sound ok, but there are some that I think would benefit from a higher bitrate. I'm thinking 192 or 256. No VBR though, because my RIO Volt doesn't like Lame-encoded VBRs for some reason.

Nate

Now, maybe I'm mistaken, but wouldn't re-encoding low quality mp3's at a higher bitrate just make a large, crappy sounding file??

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: billgates380

Originally posted by: NTB
Now that I've got plenty of space to work with, I might re-encode my MP3s. Most of them sound ok, but there are some that I think would benefit from a higher bitrate. I'm thinking 192 or 256. No VBR though, because my RIO Volt doesn't like Lame-encoded VBRs for some reason.

Nate

Now, maybe I'm mistaken, but wouldn't re-encoding low quality mp3's at a higher bitrate just make a large, crappy sounding file??

You are correct. Re-encoding a low-quality mp3 to a higher bitrate will not improve sound quality. Mp3's are a lossy compression. Once the loss has occurred, it cannot be restored. Of course, you could start again with the original wav file, but that's a different story.

 

[CocaCola5]

320 and VBR

 

[dieselstation]

OH MOTHER OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY.. DO NOT ENCODE AT 128!!!

if you DO encode at 128.. please keep it to yourself and don't share it online. I really really hate having to sift through all those 128kb files when i'm searching on WinMX or Kazaalite or whatever. Online sharing should be quality encodes only. none of that crappy 128 stuff.

 

[randomlinh]

lame --r3mix

i'd switch to ogg if there were more support. just for the whole no patents and licencing stuff.

 

[LordMaul]

um...why would *I* need to encode MP3s?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Well, I encode with the LAME encoder, and I'm not sure. I forget what I rip with, but the ripper automatically opens LAME after burning the wav and lets LAME encode it. When I play the MP3 in Winamp, I can see the bitrate change everywhere from 320 or so to 128, depending on the volume and chaos going on in the song.

nik

 

[mk]

A list of recommended LAME settings for highest quality MP3 encoding.

 

[ElFenix]

--r3mix

although i should modify it so it never goes above 256 since its impossible to tell the difference between that at 320. save some space.

and then i realise i have 280 gigs of space, much of which isn't doing much (simpsons episodes on tivo!)

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: billgates380

Originally posted by: NTB
Now that I've got plenty of space to work with, I might re-encode my MP3s. Most of them sound ok, but there are some that I think would benefit from a higher bitrate. I'm thinking 192 or 256. No VBR though, because my RIO Volt doesn't like Lame-encoded VBRs for some reason.

Nate

Now, maybe I'm mistaken, but wouldn't re-encoding low quality mp3's at a higher bitrate just make a large, crappy sounding file??

Yes, it probably would. But I'm talking about re-ripping the CDs - not going from MP3-->MP3

Nate

 

[kyutip]

Rip with EAC, encode with RazorLame @256 CBR.
For songs I really like, 320 CBR.
Hard drive is a dime a dozen these days. who cares about space.

 

[DanFungus]

192kbps ...mmmmm

 

[cmdavid]

256

 

[mk]

If you really want/need CBR files be sure to use LAME --alt-preset cbr *bitrate*.

See my previous post for a couple of useful links (both have the same list).

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Mk4
If you really want/need CBR files be sure to use LAME --alt-preset cbr *bitrate*.

See my previous post for a couple of useful links (both have the same list).

I've seen that page, and --alt-preset cbr 192 or 256 is what I was planning to use.

Nate

 

[boi]

320

 

[Triumph]

All of the mp3 trading forums I frequent are stuck on Lame VBR -alt preset standard or -alt preset extreme.

Gotta use EAC for ripping though. Absolute best ripper.

 

[Booter]

Usually 320 sometimes 192 tho.