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iPod What is the optimum bit rate for encoding?

To VBR or not to VBR?

So I guess the next question is, how many people use Variable Bit Rates, and how many use constant bit rates?

Any real pros/cons for either side?

-Kevin
 
kbmb said:
Just curious....how were you listening to the tracks? Headphones? Ambient Noise around you?

No doubt you are going to get some loss.....and that if you can help it, you shouldn't convert. However, if you absolutely need to, you are in a much better situation with the iTunes Plus tracks than the old 128kbps tracks.

What do you use for spectral analysis? Post the results when you get them.
Click to expand...

I was listening to the tracks in my quiet room on my KRK VXT4s.

I'm not arguing against you being a lot better off with the iTunes Plus 256kbps files vs the 128kbps files. I'm just saying the difference is fairly noticeable between the 256kbps AAC file, and the 256kbps MP3 sourced from the 256kbps AAC file.

I haven't got around to doing the spectral analysis yet...I'll get around to it, tonight's been busy.

kbmb said:
So I guess the next question is, how many people use Variable Bit Rates, and how many use constant bit rates?

Any real pros/cons for either side?
Click to expand...

The main pro for VBR is that you get the best file size to quality ratio possible. The encoder has more room to play with in terms of how it allocates the bits in the file and how it can apply its psycoacoustic modeling. It also doesn't "waste" bits in places the audio doesn't need it for the nominal quality you're aiming for.

These days, there isn't really a downside, but the main downside used to be compatibility...some MP3 players didn't support VBR.

Having said all that, I currently don't use VBR...I rip everything to 320kbps LAME encoded MP3 files.

One of these days I'll re-rip everything to FLAC, but that'll be one hell of a project.
 
Michael CM1 said:
If I could burn a single Blu-ray Disc to back it all up, that would also save a lot of hassle.
Click to expand...

I just backed-up my entire 28GB iTunes folder on a single 32GB USB stick. It cost me $60 CDN. Don't rule this out as a fast, simple, and cheap backup option. Plus, I can take it with me to parties and instantly have access to my entire library at any other computer. :apple:
 
eRondeau said:
I just backed-up my entire 28GB iTunes folder on a single 32GB USB stick. It cost me $60 CDN. Don't rule this out as a fast, simple, and cheap backup option. Plus, I can take it with me to parties and instantly have access to my entire library at any other computer. :apple:
Click to expand...
I wish they made a USB memory stick with enough memory to store my library!
 
I know it is a little off of the kb rating, but I am now ripping at apple lossless. Disk space isn't a worry and I know I can't get as many songs on my iPhone or iPod. But that is the price. This way I feel I am not sacrificing quality.
 
GGJstudios said:
http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/filetypes.html
From what I can see, the PS3 is not compatible with AAC files.
Click to expand...

AAC plays absolutely fine on the PS3. I know, because I have one, with AAC files on it ;)

If you look in the Music section instead of video on that manual it lists it:

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/music/filetypes.html

As for the original question, encode a couple of your favourite songs at different rates and see what works for you. Disk space is getting cheaper and more plentiful all the time though...
 
From my testing, 192Kbps VBR AAC is definitely the "sweet spot". :)
 
So the vote is in?

192Kbps VBR AAC is the best "overall" setting to record Cds perfectly??? I also see a Optimize For Voice Option. What does this do?
 
GGJstudios said:
I wish they made a USB memory stick with enough memory to store my library!
Click to expand...

Ditto. I can't wait until they come out with a 128gb or 256gb usb memory stick.
That'd be the ultimate back up solution so I could just make a copy on there and throw it in a safe deposit box.
 
I just re-ripped my library at AAC Custom 320kbs. Why? does it sound any better than the 256 or 192 or when I first started 160? It sounds better than 160. But for 256 vs 320, I can't tell the difference. I've noticed that on busy music (Dragonforce) a higher bit rate helps a lot. On slower country western music (Hank Williams Sr.) it doesn't make a difference.
 
Teej guy said:
This is one of the reasons I buy all my music on CD. I can encode it in whatever format I want for whatever.
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to go back to buying CD's and ripping. I've noticed more and more poor quality highs in recent iTunes plus tracks. I had tracks at 128 (from iTunes) that I upgraded to plus and now I can't listen to them because they sound horrible. And I only upgraded my most played songs! I need to do some testing to make sure it's not the headphones I use at work, but I don't think it is because I listen to similar tracks and they sound fine. Someone suggested making a comment to Apple and they would request a new file from the record company, but I'm noticing it on too many tracks to bother. I like the idea of going back to CD's and ripping, except then I have all these stupid discs to deal with again. I have 4 boxes in storage at my in-laws that I still need to transport to our new house. Lovely.
 
AAC CUSTOM 320gb

I resolved my issues with sound on recorded CD's using this setting. The best for my rips. No distortions at all in the highs
 
Sound problems on songs ripped from CD's

I've ripped several CD's to iTunes and am finding sound problems with the last few tracks on each disc. There's background pops/crackles underneath the music and especially between the tracks.

My iTunes preferences are set to use the Apple LossLess method. The CD's are ripped to iTunes from the internal Superdrive in my iMac G5.

Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if so did you find a solution? Thanks for your feedback.
 
Is there a difference between creating an aac/mp3 version of a lossless file (FLAC, ALAC) and creating an aac/mp3 version of an actual cd?
 
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