Encoding advice needed

[Vandal]

I use an IPod Touch 16GB as my portable setup.

I have the following queries:

1) Which offers the perfect mix of quality and file size - CBR or VBR? I normally use CBR 320 kbps using Winamp Pro to rip for my IPod. What settings should I use? I want pristine quality. How good is Apple Lossless? How can I rip to this format?

2) I have read that CBR introduces noise into silent portions (less bits) of a track. Is this true?

3) Is their a better multi-format encoder available?

4) What settings should I use for encoding? I know very little about gain etc

Please help and advise.

 

[krmathis]

1.
a. VBR. Since it do not waste bits where there are little or no audio data.
b. Highest possible VBR.
c. Apple Lossless is lossless, so it is very good.
d. Using ex. iTunes.

2. Doubtful. But then again I am no expert on the technical aspects of the MP3 codec.
3. Multi-format encoder? Guess you mean an application to rip audio CDs and encode the audio data to various codecs. You mention Winamp so I recon you run MS Windows. In that case take a look at EAC and dBpoweramp.
4. Either highest possible bitrate for lossy audio, or go Apple Lossless.

 

[Vandal]

Thank you sir!
A question. Is Apple lossless the same as AAC/AAC+? Is their any other name for apple lossless?

I am using Windows Vista x64.

Thanks again. I will try this and post back if I have any queries.

 

[DrBenway]

AAC is a lossy codec, while Apple Lossless, as the name suggests, is lossless. The only other name I've seen for Apple Lossless is the acronym ALAC.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you sir! A question. Is Apple lossless the same as AAC/AAC+? Is their any other name for apple lossless?

You are most welcome!
AAC and Apple Lossles is two totally different codecs. Besides the fact that both use the MP4 container.
* AAC is lossy. Meaning that it throw away audio data when encoding.
* Apple Lossless is lossless (as the name say). Meaning that it maintain the original audio data, without any loss.

 

[Vandal]

Thanks again!

Another query. How can I convert FLAC files to Apple Lossless, it seems this only works with audio CDs. Can I also convert flac files on my HDD, so that I can use lossless on my IPod?

 

[krmathis]

Quite sure you can use dBpoweramp to convert from FLAC to Apple Lossless.
Or else you may resort to decoding the FLAC to WAV, then let iTunes encode those WAV files to Apple Lossless.

 

[kostalex]

For me VBR V0 (245 kbps) or V1 (225 kbps) are optimal for portable use, providing excellent SQ/size ratio. I use FLACs for stationary listening with better gear and quiet environment.

 

[Vandal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Quite sure you can use dBpoweramp to convert from FLAC to Apple Lossless. Or else you may resort to decoding the FLAC to WAV, then let iTunes encode those WAV files to Apple Lossless.

Hi I just tried dBpoweramp. Here is a screenshot. No Apple lossless listed. Advise...

 

[iriverdude]

probably need to install alac plugin for dbpoweramp

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi I just tried dBpoweramp. Here is a screenshot. No Apple lossless listed. Advise...

Did not know.
But a quick Google search pointed me towards -> dBpoweramp Codec Central m4a, mp4 & aac

 

[chinesekiwi]

VBR mp3 has a distinct advantage in portables on one thing: Battery Life.
The mp3 codec is much easier to decode than AAC or Vorbis thus requires less CPU cycles thus uses less power to power the CPU.
In terms of 'transparency', Vorbis and AAC are far better (~180 kbps vs. 320 kbps+ for mp3). i.e. Vorbis and AAC are far better codecs, with better quality at a lower bitrate.

So basically, if you want battery life, vbr mp3.
If you want the best quality for filesize, AAC at ~180 kbps (for iPod).
Remember to never convert lossy to lossy (e.g. mp3 to AAC) and only covert to lossy from lossless (e.g. FLAC, ALAC, actual CD)

 

[Vandal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did not know. But a quick Google search pointed me towards -> dBpoweramp Codec Central m4a, mp4 & aac

Gottit!!!



Thanks again.