MP3 encoder of choice (EAC+Lame 3.96.1)

[bpm3k]

What do you use to encode your music? I would like to limit this to MP3s because my portable player only plays: mp3, wma (drm issues), and wave (too big). I have been expirementing with flac and .ape for home use.

I am really new to this but I stumbled across Exact Audio Copy. I set it up to encode with lame 3.96.1 as an user defined encoder and set additional command line options as:
--alt-preset standard --add-id3v2 --pad-id3v2 --ta "%a" --tt "%t" --tl "%g" --ty "%y" --tn "%n" %s %d

I use a zen touch -> mint amp -> 280pro


ps. why is there no spellcheck?
pps. Just realized this is under "Equipment Category Forums" Is there a Software Category Forums?

[Skarecrow]

Naw I'm pretty sure you posted it in the right place.

There is no reason that I know of to use any other mp3 encoder other than LAME. When using LAME, there is no reason that I know of to use any settings other than -APS, -APE, -API, and whatever the 128 CBR -alt preset is, depending on file size requirements.

I havn't followed LAME development recently. Since my portable supports Ogg Vorbis, I've switched over to that (OggdropXPD also works quite well with FLACs, and I have yet to find a comparable LAME-based MP3 "drop" program). Last I heard however, 3.90.3 was the prefered encoder version because it was the most throughly tested, however that was also back when 3.93.1 was the newest. Perhaps the newer 3.9x series is better.