A question about mp3s

[clubzero]

What exactly happens in the wave to mp3 convertion which enables such a huge difference in the file size? I would assume some frequencies (which?) are cut down somehow or something... but how is it possible that it still sounds "the
same" to the average listener?

Thanks

CZ

 

[imecho40]

As I understand it, the conversion removes frequencies that are not audible in the human spectrum,therefore you dont miss what you cant hear. This is just a laymens explanation as I understand it.

 

[eyeslikefire]

I'll sound the same to the average listener as long as it's not lower that 128k. Anything under that and you will start hearing the difference.


Click here, there's lots of info.....
http://www.howstuffworks.com/mp31.htm

Plus i'm sure Spinster will post more links.
Take it away brother Spin!

 

[clubzero]

Thanks for the reply imecho40, that's what I heard too. But it doesn't actually answer my question. We humans hear things 20Hz-20 000hz, right? Every time I master I add a roll-off from 40 Hz ( I cut everything below that 40 Hz) and another roll-off to the high-end, starting from 15 700 Hz ( I cut everything smoothly so that at 20Khz there's nothing). So basically this should take the size down a very noticable amount.. but it doesn't.

 

[clubzero]

Hey thanks for the link eyeslikefire, that's just the kind of info I was looking for