Optimal conversion to MP3?

waterstrum · Post by **waterstrum** » Wed May 25, 2011 1:24 am

I'm frequently needing to convert my mastered mixes to MP3 format.

At this point, I've tried...
Lame within DP
Lame with Bias Peak
iTunes built-in convertor.
They all sound slightly different, but I'm not really happy with any of them.

Does anybody have a clue about a better sounding convertor?

Thanks

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Wed May 25, 2011 7:34 am

Sounds like you're just describing MP3s - they pretty much all sound terrible. I just use DPs conversion since it's most convenient (since I already in the app) and the resulting file is only for review at best. Batch conversions are also easy to do with QT Amateur.

You might look into Audio Finder as well. Not as elegant but very useful for many other things.

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Wed May 25, 2011 7:50 am

Hi waterstrum,

Like MLC said, it is what it is with MP3.
I can suggest Audio Hijack Pro. You can apply compression and EQ within the app. Once you're happy with the sound, just let it record the audio from DP to MP3.

Hope it helps,
Adriano

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Wed May 25, 2011 7:53 am

LAME is the basic engine for most converters but you can specify the converter settings. The higher the better. The down side, of course, is larger files.

To critical ears, an mp3 never sounds like the real thing.

When converting raw audio to mp3, I use Quicktime Pro and, when possible, select AAC (depending on the recipient of the file).

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Wed May 25, 2011 8:08 am

I (if I have to) convert them from inside DP using lame and from the master session document (not a bounced file) at the highest setting at 320, anything less is disturbing.

For better quality I use iTunes AAC at 320 (much better).

Oh I don't use VBR either....

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Wed May 25, 2011 2:39 pm

I guess it depends on the kind of music you're making. When I convert my classical files to MP3's using LAME, I use VBR (Variable Bit Rate) and high quality settings. If I'm not going to be posting them online, I'll eliminate VBR and just go with the highest settings.

People are always saying that mp3's sound like crap, and 10 years ago when we were compressing the sht out of them, they did, but with high quality settings and VBR, I really have trouble telling them apart. In fact, I'm not sure I can. The upper end of my hearing is about 17K, which is higher than most people my age (and pretty good for even half my age), so I don't think it's due to hearing loss. Maybe for jazz tracks with nicely balanced cymbals and hi-hats, you just might tell a difference, but honestly I can't distinguish most of the original tracks I have from their mp3's or AAC's. Sometimes, but not often.

I think mp3 gets a bad rap because of its sordid past. LAME makes a pretty good file when you give it enough juice.

Shooshie

melenko · Post by **melenko** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:56 pm

Where do I have to put the LAME folder?
Thank you.

stephentayler · Post by **stephentayler** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:17 pm

This offering from Sonnox might be the way forward

http://www.sonnoxplugins.com/pub/plugin ... -codec.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Offers realtime auditioning so you can hear what is going on before committing to the codec......

Seems like it might have to be a 'must have' for the professional environment........

Stephen

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:10 pm

For $300+ (or is that pounds!) I'll take a few seconds to export a mix and compare myself. $300 buys an awful lot of pancakes!

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:12 pm

Wow! The Sonnex solution looks pretty comprehensive and powerful!

I remember years ago in the pre-OSX days experimenting with different encoders and remember getting the best results using some library I downloaded directly from the Fraunhofer institute. It was a convoluted process to make an MP3 using it, but it sounded better than the others.

melenko · Post by **melenko** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:23 pm

stephentayler wrote:
http://www.sonnoxplugins.com/pub/plugin ... -codec.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Offers realtime auditioning so you can hear what is going on before committing to the codec......

Seems like it might have to be a 'must have' for the professional environment........

Stephen

Thank's stehentayler! You were quickier than I was! I saw the same thing and it's maybe the
ultimate response for now.

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