Music File Type and Quality

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolt 

With audiophiles on this board spending many thousands of dollars on their audio equipment, I began to question what kind of music you all listen to. This question isn't a matter of genre but a matter of file type. Do you listen to music purchased off of iTunes? If not, where do you purchase your music and are there any secrets to unleashing hidden quality in music? (Other than already having the equipment).

Get your own CDs and rip them in FLAC using a quality program with error checking like EAC. There isn't much of an audible difference between FLAC and high bitrate MP3, but it's a nice comfort blanket and basically free. Re-encode to MP3 (you can do so from lossless without any problems) for portables. I won't ever buy from stores like iTunes unless they offer lossless. I feel like I'm getting ripped off otherwise. Even without DRM, you're limited to what you can do with a lossy file.

Beware piracy. Most torrents won't tell you how the files were ripped, what they were ripped from, or even what bitrate they're at. I don't doubt that many low bitrate torrents rip the files from the high bitrate MP3s of other torrents, which is going to make them sound even worse. And high bitrate torrents (even FLAC), for all you know, may have been re-encoded from low bitrate files. It's always best to know where the files are coming from. If you are going to pirate, search out uploaders who rip the music themselves and supply information about their process.

Minimize software sound shaping. EQ is good, just don't go overboard. Crossfeed is good, but take it too far and you'll make everything sound muddy. I'd avoid programs and effects like Creative's Crystalizer. It's just an EQ that you can't control and sounds fancy. Contrary to what some sound shaping programs suggest, you can't actually make an MP3 sound any less lossy. That's why it's a good idea to go lossless even if you can't hear the difference. If you're happy with your sound and don't want to change anything with EQ or crossfeed, go bit perfect with plugins like WASAPI. No reason not to.

There's really no magic spell to make music sound better. Lots of damage is already done in the mastering. You just have to minimize the issues on your end, or alter the signal slightly with EQ and crossfeed to suit your personal taste.

I don't know if it's technically legal, but borrow CDs from your local library and rip them to FLAC. That's what I did to discover a lot of artists.