Best Encoding Software

[donunus]

I am curious to what encoder sounds best and what settings does it sound the best with? Any opinions on WMA 192kbps on wmp9 compared to same bitrate mp3s? What should I use permanently for converting my favorite cd tracks to mp3 for my portable player?

 

[sigma]

Use Exact Audio Copy to rip and lame to encode to mp3.

Any version should work, but the recommended versions are v0.95 prebeta 3 for EAC (still retains the manual TOC feature you may need to rip copy-protected CDs) and v3.90.3 for lame (reputedly extensively tested.)

 

[donunus]

How do i use lame? where do I get it? Doesnt winamp pro use lame to encode mp3s? Thats what I use right now. How do different software packages using lame differ in sound quality? How about mp3 pro? or frnkenhauffer

 

[Edvard_Grieg]

Most people will say EAC or Cdex, I've been very happy with Easy CD-DA Extractor myself though.

 

[Zemo]

Use EAC to rip...there is no better ripper when it's set up correctly. And yes, use lame 3.90.3 to encode to mp3, preferably at one of the --alt-preset switches. I know this sounds somewhat confusing right now, but don't worry, there are guides that will walk you through it every step of the way!

http://www.chrismyden.com/nuke/modul...&file=painless

There ya go! I'll be writing my own guide soon too, closely mirroring that one.

Good luck!

-Z

 

[Alu]

Yes, go for EAC. It is used by most audiophiles, and shows great results.

 

[superjohnny]

I've had nothing but trouble getting EAC to work. Many times it will hang or fail to rip a CD correctly. I've gone back to using CDex which I like better because it doesn't have the same issues. Songs with jitters I can just re-encode. CDex has been nice to me and it was easier to set up than EAC.

They can both use any version of Lame which is nice.

 

[Zemo]

I've got over 6,000 albums ripped with EAC....never a problem....

-Z

 

[donunus]

Thanks for all your comments, ill try eac with lame

 

[donunus]

How do I set up lame from EAC to do what I want. It defaults to vbr

 

[Zemo]

VBR IS what you want, isn't it? make sure in the "extra command line settings" box it says "--alt-preset standard" and you'll be good to go.

-Z

 

[donunus]

this is what it says %l--alt-preset 128%l%h--alt-preset standard%h %s %d
Its a good sounding setting. about the same size as a constant 192kbps file but it compresses darn slow!!! It sounds only slightly better than winamp pros converter but does it at pretty much around 5 minutes per song

 

[Zemo]

you don't need all that extra junk...just "--alt-preset standard"

Let's see if that makes it go any faster.

-Z

 

[uzziah]

unanimous support for lame mp3 over ogg vorbis and aac? that's surprising. would expect more competition. of course, mp3 has most compatability by far

 

[stymie miasma]

I've been fiddling with EAC and LAME, but can't seem to bring up any of the cool stuff like alt.preset.insane etc. Only alt.preset.standard. Do I need to download some extra scripts? Further, are these extra settings noticably superior to alt.preset.standard?