What do you use?

[Hase]

I use an iPod and have been using an mp3 codec at 160kbits. I also play the same audio files through the machines on my home network, using winamp.

So, what is everyone else using to encode their music that is compatible with both the ipod and winamp? What settings do you like? What programs do you use to encode them?

 

[fr4c]

Apple Lossless using iTunes or WAV using either EAC or Monkey's Audio.

 

[Head Creep]

Exact Audio Copy to rip to WAV, and LAME 3.93.1 to encode them at --APE. If I'm really analyzing the music, it sounds only a tad bit worst than the same track uncompressed, so I'm very happy with that process.

Edit: I should probably add that this is unamped with SR-60's, nothing really high-end.

 

[nismo96]

I use a Minidisc player or a recorder for portable use. I mainly record from CD optically. The bitrate ends up being 292kb. I do rip to my PC too, It's been mainly AAC because I used to have an iPod. I'm ripping all my music to FLAC now.

 

[aeriyn]

224kbps AAC for the ipod.

I don't use my PC to listen to music so I don't bother ripping for that purpose.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Mostly Apple Lossless for my iPod, with some 224/256kbps AAC files and --alt-preset extreme LAME MP3 files thrown in for good measure.

 

[blessingx]

Well I'm not sure they play in Winamp, but ALAC for home, 256 AAC mostly for the iPod, mixed with -aps (when buying).

 

[crazychimp132]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head Creep Exact Audio Copy to rip to WAV, and LAME 3.93.1 to encode them at --APE. If I'm really analyzing the music, it sounds only a tad bit worst than the same track uncompressed, so I'm very happy with that process. Edit: I should probably add that this is unamped with SR-60's, nothing really high-end.

why do you use that build of LAME? a lot of people use 3.96.1 because it is very much faster and has slight quality improvements.

 

[DigDub]

i don't have an ipod. used to have an iriver and encoded everything in ogg. then got a creative muvo2 and had to re-rip everything back into mp3.

lesson learnt - try to encode in mp3 if you are not ultra particular about sound quality cos its the most widely used format (hey, even sony is starting to support it). it WILL save you a lot of headache should you decide to ditch the ipod and switch to something that does not support aac or apple loseless. almost every player out there supports mp3.

 

[apnk]

i have a dj and i use ABR with EAC, so its around 192kbps to 224kbps.

 

[Hase]

I really loathe iTunes. Which is why I only use it when I want to use the lossless codec. It seems like AAC is pretty popular, particularly at over 200kbps. Does any other program (like CDex, that I like alot) encode in AAC and, if anyone knows, does Winamp support it? Also, what will an AAC sound like compared to an Mp3?

Sorry for all the questions all the time, I am just a very curious person and generally try to soak up as much information as I can from people who know what they are talking about ([size=xx-small]...or at least know more than I do[/size]).

 

[blessingx]

Really your best bets for encoding AAC are iTunes/QT or Nero, but also check out AudioEncoding and Rarewares. Looks like Winamp has support.

As for how it will sound different than MP3 it really depends on the bitrate, encoders, etc. It may not at all or it may be substantially better. I'm a fan, but it really depends. Certainly AAC (and Ogg) are worth a look.

 

[jpr703]

EAC to .WAV for a reference file, then iTunes to 224k AAC for iPod.

 

[Hase]

Please correct me if I am wrong.
I am under the impression that an iPod will not recognize a straight *.aac file, it needs to be *.mp4. I have been trying to get some cds converted and want them to be two things. One, Labeled like the rest of my mp3s (Artist - Album - Number - Track) with the aac equivalent to the id3 tag filled out. Two, wrapped as mp4s. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to do this with EAC. I am getting pretty frustrated.

Any help or suggestions would be grand.

 

[tortie]

Apple Lossless encoded by iTunes.