Best MP3 bitrate for distribution?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seafroggys
  • Start date Start date
Seafroggys

Seafroggys

Well-known member
Hey guys. Basically as part of my band's kickstarter we recorded a live album yesterday for digital distribution for some of our backers. I'm probably gonna do MP3 since that's still the most prolific format.

I'm curious as to what bit rate to use. 128 seems to have remained a consistent standard, even 10 years after the dial-up age. 320 may still yield filesizes a bit too big (or downloads that will take too long) for some people (I'm also hosting these on my website, and I pay for bandwidth).

What would be a good amount? I've read on these boards that sound quality drastically goes up at 192, so should I shoot for that? Or even as high as 256? Thoughts on experiences with different rates?
 
Seafroggys said:
Hey guys. Basically as part of my band's kickstarter we recorded a live album yesterday for digital distribution for some of our backers. I'm probably gonna do MP3 since that's still the most prolific format.

I'm curious as to what bit rate to use. 128 seems to have remained a consistent standard, even 10 years after the dial-up age. 320 may still yield filesizes a bit too big (or downloads that will take too long) for some people (I'm also hosting these on my website, and I pay for bandwidth).

What would be a good amount? I've read on these boards that sound quality drastically goes up at 192, so should I shoot for that? Or even as high as 256? Thoughts on experiences with different rates?
Click to expand...


This is just a throw out there, but 192 seems to be the best compromise between quality and size. This should get you a reasonable result. Isn't that the standard for paid music? If it is, then I think there is your answer.
 
Host it on something like Bandcamp that lets you upload it in wave format and lets people download it in any of several formats, including several lossless file types. You can hook it up to a PayPal account.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
Host it on something like Bandcamp that lets you upload it in wave format and lets people download it in any of several formats, including several lossless file types. You can hook it up to a PayPal account.
Click to expand...

As I said, this is a reward for some of our kickstarter backers, so its something that only some people have limited access to for free. And that band already has a bandcamp that a lot of people have linked to. So yes, that would be the smart option as far as file format, but would not work as a distribution method.

I think 192 would be good.
 
Bandcamp allows you to give out codes for free downloads of files that are normally paid.
 
You could also try VBR and CBR at various quality settings. They retain high bit-rates for passages of music that need it, and save bandwidth at points where lower bandwidth is fine.
As a guide, try aiming for end bitrates of 160-200k; I encoded mp3s from CDs and .wavs for a number of years and very rarely saw ABR (average bit-rates) above 220kbps across a whole, single file...
 
I wouldn't go with variable bit rates because some players (hardware) don't know how to play them.
As for bit rate I don't think 320kbps files are too big.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
Bandcamp allows you to give out codes for free downloads of files that are normally paid.
Click to expand...
^
This.

If you absolutely can't do the Bandcamp/multiple options thing, go with the highest bitrate you can. 320 kbps mp3 aren't that large. Your users will be able to access them
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top