MP3 Bitrate

gizmo

Ok, basically I'm in the middle of converting my CD Collection into mp3 at the moment and so far I've been doing so at a bitrate of 192. However some of the music on my computer is currently in VBR. Now I havnt compared them ad nauseum yet but after a few casual tests I havnt really heard that much difference between the two formats.

So basically three questions...

What bitrate do you guys use?
Is there THAT much of a difference between the two?
Since most of my VBR files play between 192 and 320 does that mean if I converted them straight to 192 it would basically be the same as ripping them directly to 192 or would there be too much loss?

K.O.Kiki

VBR means that it's adjusting the bitrate depending on how much data it's getting per second -- ie, all the quiet bits will get low (eg 96) bitrates & all the loud bits will get high (eg 320) bitrates.
There's really no loss in quality (especially if you're using a LAME encoder), just smaller file sizes;) ; in fact, you seem to have a minimum 192, so those VBR files would be better quality than 192 CBR (constant)!
Oh, and don't try to convert VBR to CBR -- bad idea!

Personally, I use LAME w/iTunes @ "V2 vbr-new" settings (this won't help you:p )

Shiny

I rip all mine at 256 at a minimum.These days
space isn't really a problem.

I dont rip into VBR because sometimes it doesn't
work right with older MP3 players that I have
around the house.

DemonOfTheFall

It doesn't really matter as much what bitrate you use, as what encoder you use.

Eg. Creative mediasource at 320kbps will sound really ****e.
Lame VBR 160kbps will sound grand, most likely exactly like the original.

I'd recommend the latest version of LAME at -V3 (VRB ~160kbps) or -V2 (VBR ~180) if you want a decent trade off between size and quality. I use LAME at -V0 (VRB ~230kbps) which i'm well aware is overkill, since I don't have super expensive hi-fi equipment. It's not that much more hard drive space taken up though, so i'd say that if you're gonna rip all youre music do it once and do it well.

Use EAC with Lame version 3.97Beta 2. Doesn't get any better for MP3s at the moment.

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showforum=15
best place to ask further questions.

Mutant_Fruit

VBR is more efficient. It uses less bits when it can, and more bits when it needs them.

Personally, i can't tell the difference between 192kbps and CD. I can sometimes at 160kbps (depending on the type of music). I rip all mine use the Lame mp3 encoder using the "--alt-preset standard" switch. All that means is it uses VBR between 128kbps and 320kbps. IIRC it means on average my songs are about 180kbps. I cant tell the difference between that and CD.

Transcoding is always going to give you worse quality than the original file. It mightn't be noticeably worse, but mathematically its going to be worse. I wouldn't bother reencoding your MP3's unless you're shrinking em to put em on an MP3 player. Encoding from 192CBR to --alt-preset standard would be stupid, wouldn't save anything.

K.O.Kiki

Hey Mutant_Fruit, I think in the readme it recommends switching over to "-V x --vbr-new" (where x=0-4) to use the improved VBR.

gizmo

Right well I'm using CDex to do all of my ripping and encoding and afaik that uses the LAME encoder, not sure if its the latest one though.

So basicaly I should just leave them at 192?

And what about those VBRs? You're saying reencoding them to 192 is a bad idea then?

Mutant_Fruit

Reencoding existing mp3's will only reduce their quality. The only reason to do it is if you want to squeeze more on an mp3 player, or are running out of HD space.

For music you're ripping from CD, i'd say VBR is best by far. Only really old players can't handle VBR properly.

gizmo

Nah, its nothing to do with space. I just have alot of stuff in both 192 and VBR at this stage and wanted to go with one or other. I'm fussy like that...:D

Mutant_Fruit

in that case, definately go VBR. I'm not sure what --alt-preset standard converts to in the new system, but do look it up. It'll provide better quality at similar bitrates to 192kbps CBR. Fine, you mightn't be able to tell the difference, but at least you know it IS better.

DemonOfTheFall

The new encoders have gone to a -V x system instead of the -alt preset x system.