Best MP3 Codec and Encoder - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

somertech · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2002, 01:53 AM

I just bought an Apple iPod (20GB PC version), and some Sennheiser 497s, so I'm investing more in the concept of MP3 encoding.
I've used a variety of encoders without much distinction between them, but as of late have been wondering whether or not there is a "reference" MP3 encoding product(s).

I've used Music Match JukeBox, Windows Media Player 8 with an MP3 pluggin by InterVideo and I believe dbPowerAmp. Although I can't be certain, it seems to me that some of the CDs I encoded with MusicMatch had more artifacts than the other encoders.

So now that I've got a super nice MP3 player and decent headphones (also thinking of investing in an AIRHEAD amp), I want to know what the best MP3 encoders/codecs are out there (prefferably freeware).

If I'm going to take the time to encode my entire music collection, I don't want to have to do it again because of shoddy encoding.

Thanks In Advance

Zin_Ramu · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2002, 02:21 AM

EAC to rip, LAME 3.92 at -APS to encode.

Here is a link to a site which will explain it all in detail and provide links for the necessary downloads (see the bottom of the article for the 7 steps and the neccesary links).

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/article.../10012002d.php

Zin

somertech · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2002, 03:43 AM

Thanks Zin!

I'll check it out.

I've actually seen Lamme on a number of posts on other discussion boards. Must be a consensus.

MTRH · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2002, 09:58 AM

ehehehe..
That link is complete bollocks, some truth mixed up in a whole lot of BS.
grab latest stable (3.92) from a LAME developer's homepage
get info from Hydrogen Audio

Zin_Ramu · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2002, 03:05 PM

MTRH, I know the style of writtting is a little "self-indulgent" however, I think the information is for the most part very useful and well targeted to people first starting digital encoding.

Please point out what parts of the post are BS. I also visit HA every now and then and other than IDv2 tags and his over excitement over MP3 quality, the suggestions here seem to be the ones HA is recommending.

Zin

somertech · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2002, 01:41 AM

Well, I've encoded a few CD's according to the article by Chris Myden, and yes the quality is noticeably better with EAC\LAME than with what I've been using before, especially with recordings that weren't that great to begin with. But, the file sizes are also huge.
I can appreciate the concept behind VBR encoding, but in practice (at least for the kind of music I listen too) the resulting file sizes are bigger than I would prefer.

Thank Goodness I've got a 20GB player, becuase I am gonna need avery bit of it, if I re-encode my entire collection using this method.

andrzejpw · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2002, 03:17 AM

Yup. EAC + Lame is awesome. Try present extreme for a good mix of size/quality.

jopi · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2002, 05:32 AM

What do you guys think of --r3mix?

MTRH · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2002, 10:10 AM

the site has very good beginners guides, I must agree.
DON'T use --r3mix, it's outdated and yields in poor quality mp3s.