Where to start? Audio, formats and the iPod

[xslimmiejimmiex]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, but I definately have been a frequent reader over the past year or so... Thanks to Head-Fi, I bought the Koss KSC75! (and am damn glad I did!)

Anyways, I was just reading for the past couple hours on iPod and external amplifiers and cables and such... I have the 5th. Generation iPod (30GB) Video, and I just wanted to know where I should start

I.] I have many different:
A.)Bit Rates [128, 192, 256, 320, as well as 218, 223, 227, 232,233, 236, 243 (VBR)]
B.) Sizes [MB]
C.) Formats [mp3, m4a, m4p]

II.]
1.) Should I make everything the same bit rate and format (If so, what program(s) do you recommend?
2.) How about the mp4-I purchased these, should I change to mp3 and keep mp4? How does that work...?
3.) What would you recommend I use to arrange all my music? (I have it scattered either on my 250GB hard drive, or wherever they store your purchased songs)= EAC or J.River?
4.) iTunes vs. WinAmp? (which to use? I want iTunes because I like downloading from the store plug its compatible with my iPod), but I hear WinAmp is damn good and FLAC compatible (Should I use FLAC, too? I have no idea if I should use both FLAC and mp3)
5.) Any other recommendations/settings,opinions as well would help and are appreciated!

*I have SONAR, PowerDVD, Cakewalk Pyro, QuickTime, iTunes, Reason, Cubase and Nero 7

III.]
What sound I'm looking for:
I had EQ set to Latin, due to my wide range of genres that I listen to. But, I changed it to "Off" since it was recommended. The sound just has no HIGH highs in Latin/Acoustic nor the LOW lows in hip-hop or the deep bass metal hits (Chevelle - "Comfortable Liar" where the guitar and drums first kick in!, Metal Bands use this, too). The sound is very middy with no real highs or lows. The deep bass (and just sound overall) has no warmth or clarity, if you will...
Here's my X-Fi EQ settings to give you an example of settings I use:

courtesy of me

I also went here: ITunes-QuickTime for Windows - Setup Guide - Benchmark for 100% Volume in iTunes

and here:
Windows XP Audio Playback - Setup Guide - Benchmark
I don't understand all of it concerning my iTunes or X-Fi
- I need the EQ in X-Fi, but I did turn of Bass Boost in it...

* I only use X-Fi Control Panel and iTunes for my music ONLY... Nothing else

Thanks in advance, please get back to me ASAP.

 

[xslimmiejimmiex]

Please help

 

[poo]

Look... you have loads of questions and assumptions going on here... and many of them are misguided I'm afraid. TBH you need to do more research to get a better understanding of your system and how best to set it up (yes I know that's why you are asking, but it would take pages of info to address all issues here)

For starters, those Benchmark guides are great. Do ALL of what they suggest as a good start to getting clean audio (which you don't have right now). The most crucial thing you need to do in terms of bit perfect audio is to set the Quicktime settings as advised - iTunes relies on Quicktime for its settings regardless of Mac or Win platform.

Bit rates and all that - based on the variety you have you're best to leave them all alone (at least for now).

Do some research about lossy vs lossless file formats.

I would suggest using iTunes right now. The simplicity is great and will allow you to focus on other areas that need more attention. Make sure you have the settings correct - use the Benchmark guides!!! You can always easily change to another player down the track if you decide you prefer it.

That's enough for now - enjoy...

 

[ILikeMusic]

Where you need to start is with a search. Once you have some more specific questions you can get some additional help.

 

[chongy5]

Ensure you read up on Transcoding, as well as lossless/lossy audio formats.

 

[krmathis]

Welcome to Head-Fi!
Next time be a little more patient. You asked a LOT of questions, which take a while to answer. Still you bumped the tread after just 6 minutes.

To answer some of your questions.
* From what I get out of your post the iPod can play all your music in the format they currently are. Transcoding to a different codec/format will only give you decreased sound quality and/or larger files. Not worth it.
* Go for iTunes. It support the mentioned formats and is easy to use. A winner imo!

 

[xslimmiejimmiex]

Thanks so much for the replies. I apologize for my eagerness, I know patience is a virtue but sometimes that flies out the window for me...

Anyways, the reason I asked so many questions was because I didn't know how to improve my sound quality (through making all bit-rates the same, or using another player and organizer, etc...) Basically, any route that did not involve me buying an external amp is what I am looking for.

I'll try to make my questions short-and-sweet:
1.) So those guides are saying not to use EQ on my X-Fi, but to adjust the songs quality with a program so there's no need for an EQ?
2.) If so, how can I adjust EQ to my songs so that when I transfer to my iPod, the sound will be great?

I read:
Lossless data compression
AAC vs. MP3

* So no ALAC conversion usingdBpoweramp?

Thanks so much for all the replies! Please get back to me as soon as you can (again I apologize for my eagerness. Also, if my questions aren't focused, I apologize and am always looking for some direction). Thanks in advance.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Okay, first thing is first: you cannot take an MP3 (or any other "lossy" format), and convert it into FLAC, ALAC, or any other lossless format.

In order to get true lossless, you have to rip it directly from the CD.

Besides, I know for a fact it's impossible to know the difference between a good bitrate MP3 to a lossless file on an iPod and KSC75. It took me about half an hour before I could understand through my old iM716 IEM and Audigy 2ZS via foobar2000's ABX-ing.

 

[xslimmiejimmiex]

Ok no wonder krmathis did not recommend changing formats...

How about adjusting the quality of the song itself? (Highs and Lows adjusting)
1.) I'm looking for a non-external amp/EQ solution to change the sound EQ on my music files so the iPod songs have better quality/clarity.

2.) Another question: which is better sounding (for my Sony MDR's)?
PreSonus Firebox or
X-Fi Platinum I/O Panel

I have both, but I only use Firebox for recording. I've never used it for my iTunes or anything, should I?

--------------------
What I've done already=
iTunes:
-100% on the volume bar

Quick Time:
-size '96 kHz
-word length '24-bit'
-channel '5.1'

Sounds and Audio Devices:
"Sample rate conversion" -> 'Best'
-"Sounds" -> "Sound scheme" -> 'No Sounds'

Don't understand:
-Keep all digital volume controls at 'unity gain' (100% or 0.0 dB)
- What does QuickTime have to do with iTunes (or my iPod)= I Never Use QuickTime
------------------
Programs I found:
dBPowerAmp
Foobar
WinAmp

 

[poo]

Have you noticed your avatar lately?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xslimmiejimmiex /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok no wonder krmathis did not recommend changing formats...

Yes, cause you only listed lossy codecs/bitrate.
* Transcoding to another lossy codec (AAC, MP3) would lead to additional quality loss.
* Transcoding to a lossless codec would keep the audio quality but 2-3 fold the file size.

Both solutions are a waste of time, sound quality and/or disk space.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xslimmiejimmiex /img/forum/go_quote.gif 2.) Another question: which is better sounding (for my Sony MDR's)? PreSonus Firebox or X-Fi Platinum I/O Panel I have both, but I only use Firebox for recording. I've never used it for my iTunes or anything, should I? -------------------- What I've done already= iTunes: -100% on the volume bar Quick Time: -size '96 kHz -word length '24-bit' -channel '5.1' Sounds and Audio Devices: "Sample rate conversion" -> 'Best' -"Sounds" -> "Sound scheme" -> 'No Sounds' Don't understand: -Keep all digital volume controls at 'unity gain' (100% or 0.0 dB) - What does QuickTime have to do with iTunes (or my iPod)= I Never Use QuickTime ------------------ Programs I found: dBPowerAmp Foobar WinAmp

Why not try them out on your own, to find the one who sound best to your ears?
iTunes use QuickTime for playback. Its more or less just a frontend...

 

[Mweisbrod]

you're asking a ton of things, none of it is new or different from what is archived on this board already.

all of this board's archives are indexed on google.


google is your friend.

5 seconds of searching will yield you several hours of pertinent reading material.

 

[xslimmiejimmiex]

Wow, I came here to bypass most of what google offers. Isn't that what forums are for? to get quick, informative, and helpful information?... I mean, I'm asking typical forum questions aren't I? I just wanted to come here so I would not have to do LOADS of Googling, I've spent many hours researching other forums, this forum and Google... I guess a "forum" really isn't what I thought it was for...

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why not try them out on your own, to find the one who sound best to your ears? iTunes use QuickTime for playback. Its more or less just a frontend...

I meant based on the technical aspects/specifications... Or what a "professional" or enthusiast would use (since they know far more than I about quality)

I'm asking, is there a way to adjust my entire music collection's EQ individually (software/program) and save it so that it comes out sounding the way i want when I add it to iTunes and play it through my iPod?

Please do not assume I am one of those lazy forumers... I Google and reserach more than anyone I know. I mean if you think about it, if people tell me I'm lazy and to Google, then aren't they lazy by not giving me the information or leading me in the direction I'm looking for? I apologize if this is pissing people off, I just hope a forum is what it is...

I think krmathis is nice because he's Norwegian like me... Haha, thanks to the other people who've helped so far as well (maybe you're Norwegian, too!). Thanks in advance. Take care all.

 

[DJGeorgeT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by poo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you noticed your avatar lately?

lol cut him some slack, we don't want head-fi outsiders to perceive us as a bunch on unfriendly punks

 

[krmathis]

I don't think there are any lossless way to equalize your files with software. Something like Audacity might help you add some equalization to them, but you will need to re-encode.
Lossy (ex. MP3) -> Equalize -> Lossy (ex. MP3) is not ideal. Perhaps give it a try to see if its worth it?
If you can't settle with the iTunes/iPod equalizers that is.

I have no experience with the two mentioned sound cards. So someone else will need to comment further about those.


We Norwegians sure are friendly and helpful. At least most of us.

Take care!