an mp3 bit-rate converter.... anyone?

eskimo

Anyone know of a good mp3 bit-rate converter that I could download (for free) ?

The one I have, Switch, slows down my computer like crazy!! I need one that'll run relatively un-noticeable in the background!

Any help appreciated

OfflerCrocGod

I'm sorry but changing your bitrate from 128 to higher makes NO DIFFERENCE to the sound quality AT ALL - it will only increase the size of your mp3s. As for decreasing the bitrate, why? You end up with poorer versions of an already lossy song; you can't be that desperate for space surely?

djmarkus

Just as a bit of extra info WMA have better quality at lower bitrates than mp3

astec123

DBpower amp but doing what you want is pointless.

eskimo

They have got to be two of the most ridiculous replies ever.

It's not pointless and the reason I want to do it is because when you download an album the mp3s tend to be between 192kbps all the way up to 320 kbps, which is a pointless waste of space on your mp3 player... The point is to get them down to 128kbps - i.e. so they take up less space on your mp3 player so you can fit more songs on it (especially when they're up near 320 i.e. more than twice the bit-rate!) and are CD quality.

So yes it does make a difference, and no it's not pointless. Thanks for your valuable input all the same; you guys clearly know your stuff. :rolleyes:

Makaveli

Why would you want to listen to mp3s at 128kb/s though? The quality is crap and will be shown up if you have a decent set of earphones. Unless you are using a 128MB flash player and space is a major issue would you not just prefer better quality and fewer songs, it's not as if you can listen to it all at the same time anyway. Transcoding just results in poor quality.

Giblet

Never re-encode lossy audio, and 128k IS crap. VBR is the way to go really.

eskimo

128kbps is CD quality and sounds absolutely fine to me.

Tony H

iTunes will change the bitrate down for you , the only problem is that it will install Quicktime at the same time

garthv

Yeh 128kps is a load of my ring for quality. The price of hard-drives and the price of broadband these days everyone can afford high quality mp3's. I personally can't even listen to an mp3 at 128kps anymore , you mightnt notice it yourself but when you start getting 320kps albums you will, trust me!

astec123

What you failed to see eskimo is that re-encoding a lossy song to a lower rate lossy song looses even more data, and compared to the same song natively ripped at 128 will sound a lot worse after more than one encoding. Leave the song as it is, this is what we are advising, I cant stand 128 myself but I like better bit rates. Bit rate is a personal thing but dont re-encode it wont sound any where near like you will want it to.

Wertz

No matter what converter you get it will hog your CPU...decoding/encoding is very intensive.
...and 128k is certainly not "CD quality"...no where even close...once it goes under 192 bass looses it's punch and high end looses it's shrill, especially if you like electronic music or high volumes or both...

eskimo

astec123 wrote:

What you failed to see eskimo is that re-encoding a lossy song to a lower rate lossy song looses even more data, and compared to the same song natively ripped at 128 will sound a lot worse after more than one encoding. Leave the song as it is, this is what we are advising, I cant stand 128 myself but I like better bit rates. Bit rate is a personal thing but dont re-encode it wont sound any where near like you will want it to.

What you have failed to see is this (and honestly I don't know how to make it any clearer): I LIKE 128KBPS. I LOVE 128KBPS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY EVEN MARRY IT!!

Stop telling me what to like and what not to like! If you can't help me on the topic I sought help with, don't reply telling me not to listen to 128kbps songs!

All input appreciated, obviously, and I have taken all opinions & suggestions on board, but some of it has just been insanely pointless!

So I take it nobody knows where I could find such a program then, no??
Ok then.

RE*AC*TOR

if you're using a creative mp3 player - notmad explorer does this automatically - i use it and its fantastic.

ButtermilkJack

Have a look over at download.com
Cheetah Audio Converter 1.31 looks like a good bet. There are others there too but from the description, this sounds like it should do the job.

eskimo

Thanks guys I'll give them a try now!

garthv

eskimo wrote:

What you have failed to see is this (and honestly I don't know how to make it any clearer): I LIKE 128KBPS. I LOVE 128KBPS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY EVEN MARRY IT!!

Stop telling me what to like and what not to like! If you can't help me on the topic I sought help with, don't reply telling me not to listen to 128kbps songs!

All input appreciated, obviously, and I have taken all opinions & suggestions on board, but some of it has just been insanely pointless!

So I take it nobody knows where I could find such a program then, no??
Ok then.

Wow.....
Calm down there sunshine. No need to go overboard , its only bitrate....Some people are very particular about their music quality......
Put the gun down and walk away.

Makaveli

eskimo wrote:

What you have failed to see is this (and honestly I don't know how to make it any clearer): I LIKE 128KBPS. I LOVE 128KBPS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY EVEN MARRY IT!!

Stop telling me what to like and what not to like! If you can't help me on the topic I sought help with, don't reply telling me not to listen to 128kbps songs!

All input appreciated, obviously, and I have taken all opinions & suggestions on board, but some of it has just been insanely pointless!

So I take it nobody knows where I could find such a program then, no??
Ok then.

astec123 wrote:

DBpower amp but doing what you want is pointless.

You got your answer in the third reply.