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Question concerning file conversion (ALAC -> MP3)

post #1 of 11
8/16/09 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
So my iTunes library is currently in ALAC, and I want to re-encode to mp3. Please don't try and talk me out of it!

I have listened to 320kbps mp3s that were encoded through iTunes from ALAC, and I could definitely tell a difference. My LAME MP3s with VBR sound absolutely indistinguishable to me, though.

I was wondering how to go about converting ALAC to Lame MP3s with VBR.

I have tried DBPoweramp and I think its great! However, my trial period is expired and I do not feel like paying for the program.

Thanks for any input.

Also, I realize HDD space is cheap, but so am I. I will be keeping the ALAC files on an external drive, but the laptop only has 200GB of storage and I would rather spend money on audio gear than computer gear.

Thanks much
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post #2 of 11
8/16/09 at 1:58pm
Foobar2000 with Apple Lossless input component, then LAME for encoding.
Free and should do the job smoothly.
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post #3 of 11
8/16/09 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
Foobar2000 with Apple Lossless input component, then LAME for encoding.
Free and should do the job smoothly.
Sounds good, thanks for the quick response.
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post #4 of 11
8/16/09 at 2:24pm
If it's for a laptop you may want to try OGG, on same filesize OGG sounds superior. I did several blind A/B comparisons and picked out OGG as the better sounding track everytime, as did several others.
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post #5 of 11
8/16/09 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
Foobar2000 with Apple Lossless input component, then LAME for encoding.
Free and should do the job smoothly.
This is absolutely spot on.............but let me suggest one other thing.......consider converting your ALAC files in iTunes to 320 AAC files which in my opinion are even better sounding than LAME MP3. If you know you're going to be using these files with something that is AAC compatible, it's just better to go this route, much simpler too.
I've been talking headphones with you for years. Now I can help you with your purchase:) Sales Specialist & Headphone Guru @ Headphones.com
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post #6 of 11
8/16/09 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
I appreciate the responses and suggestions guys! I am going to stick with mp3 over OGG; I also have an iPod (80GB, part of the problem) and afaik the ipod does not read OGG.

Foobar has been working tirelessly to convert my ALAC collection to MP3 Lame 245 ver 0 with VBR (hope this is a good encode, if not let me know).

I have not tried AAC, but I will give it a try soon, thanks
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post #7 of 11
8/16/09 at 10:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Qonmus View Post
I appreciate the responses and suggestions guys! I am going to stick with mp3 over OGG; I also have an iPod (80GB, part of the problem) and afaik the ipod does not read OGG.

Foobar has been working tirelessly to convert my ALAC collection to MP3 Lame 245 ver 0 with VBR (hope this is a good encode, if not let me know).

I have not tried AAC, but I will give it a try soon, thanks
Do you mean v0? If so that's a good choice for filesize/sq ratio (much better than 320 although the "sweet spot" is v2). Most people find v0 transparent with most samples.
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post #8 of 11
8/16/09 at 10:26pm
Thread Starter 
v2 is > than v0? I didn't realize that.

I'm not going to quibble over MBs; I'm basically looking for the highest quality lossy file I can get, as virtually every lossy file format I've seen takes up way, way less space than my ALAC files. I guess I will try some v2 files and see what I think, thanks.
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post #9 of 11
8/16/09 at 11:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Qonmus View Post
v2 is > than v0? I didn't realize that.

I'm not going to quibble over MBs; I'm basically looking for the highest quality lossy file I can get, as virtually every lossy file format I've seen takes up way, way less space than my ALAC files. I guess I will try some v2 files and see what I think, thanks.
Sorry if my statement was misleading. v0 is the highest quality vbr. I was just saying v2 is more quality/mb; I use v0 for my iPod because I don't mind a 25% file size increase for peace of mind.
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post #10 of 11
8/17/09 at 3:33am
Quality: 320kbps CBR > v0 > v2
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post #11 of 11
8/17/09 at 4:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Qonmus View Post
I appreciate the responses and suggestions guys! I am going to stick with mp3 over OGG; I also have an iPod (80GB, part of the problem) and afaik the ipod does not read OGG.

Foobar has been working tirelessly to convert my ALAC collection to MP3 Lame 245 ver 0 with VBR (hope this is a good encode, if not let me know).

I have not tried AAC, but I will give it a try soon, thanks
If you're using an iPod....AAC is the way to go......320 AAC is as good (probably better) than the finest LAME MP3
I've been talking headphones with you for years. Now I can help you with your purchase:) Sales Specialist & Headphone Guru @ Headphones.com
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