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Audio Compression Conversions Discussion

Feb 27, 2006 at 3:49 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17
Plattapus

Plattapus

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Hey guys, this is my first post. I got a gift card and bought some music from the itunes store and it gave me my mp3's @ 128 (which is pretty annoying since I use ety ER-4P's). Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that's it's a bad thing to convert mp3's, aac, etc. to lossless formats. Is this correct? Well, if it is, what can I do to get a good audio file? I'd really like to get my files into lossless somehow. Any reccommended programs or something or advice or processes? The itunes converter was complaining to me about copyright infringement so it won't let me convert the files that I bought to a non-crappy format. This is kind of bugging me and I'd like some of your expert advice. Any sort of information or suggestions will be very greatly appreciated. Thank you, and happy audiophiling
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Feb 27, 2006 at 3:55 AM Post #2 of 17
When you convert a 128kbps lossy file into a lossless format, or a higher bitrate lossy file, you are not gettin any quality back, you are just increasing the file size.

Even if you could convert Protected AAC into ALAC, it will never sound any better because the quality is already lost. You cant regain something that doesnt exist in the original file.

For HQ music, its best to leave iTunes... its best to buy the CD.
 
Feb 27, 2006 at 4:00 AM Post #3 of 17
Hey thanks alot for a response. I'll buy cds from now on, but for the situation now that I'm in is there anything I can do? Or am I stuck with MP3 @ 128 sound quality? I have a creative soundblaster X-Fi that claims to help restore songs to their original sound quality, but I'm not too sure if that claim can be substantiated. Blah, I'm lost and this whole apple thing and conversion thing......blah. Help!
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Feb 27, 2006 at 4:03 AM Post #4 of 17
Once a file is compressed into mp3, it can't be brought back to it's original state. Converting a 128 kbps mp3 into lossless will be a lossless conversion...but it's essentially a lossless copy of your 128 kbps mp3.

Converting a 128 kbps into anything but lossless will further degrade the sound quality, since all converting is being done to the file, not to the referential CD track.

EDIT: I've heard that X-Fi claim, and it's total BS. It's completely illogical to suggest that it can be done, since the card has no reference as to what the original sound quality is. I'm afraid you're stuck with the song at that sound quality.
 
Feb 28, 2006 at 3:30 AM Post #7 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by Disiskurt
I've heard that X-Fi claim, and it's total BS. It's completely illogical to suggest that it can be done, since the card has no reference as to what the original sound quality is. I'm afraid you're stuck with the song at that sound quality.


In all fairness there are amps/headphones that tend to be more "forgiving" to low bitrates. How ever the fact still remains that you are stuck at 128 Kbps and nothing can change that.
 
Feb 28, 2006 at 3:46 AM Post #9 of 17
I recommend buying used cds off of ebay and half.com
 
Feb 28, 2006 at 4:04 AM Post #12 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by ptaaty
www.allofmp3.com yes it's legal. Also 320k should suit you pretty well.


It is questionable if it is legal. Besides 320k is good but lossless is better, spend the money on a CD, that way if you computer crashes you still have the music.
 
Feb 28, 2006 at 1:36 PM Post #15 of 17
Quote:

Originally Posted by GMan4911
MusicGiants is the only legal lossless service that I'm aware of.


Wow that looks cool!
 
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