mp3 conversion quality question

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bethanyb321

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Hi guys i want to upload a song i just got mastered in some places online that only accept mp3, trying to get the highest quality mp3, would there be a difference between using a audio converter to convert the wav to mp3, versus importing the wav into my sequencer and exporting the mixdown as mp3?
thnks
 
bethanyb321 said:
Hi guys i want to upload a song i just got mastered in some places online that only accept mp3, trying to get the highest quality mp3, would there be a difference between using a audio converter to convert the wav to mp3, versus importing the wav into my sequencer and exporting the mixdown as mp3?
thnks
Click to expand...

Most converters use the same base source code for the codec. I usually mixdown to 24bit .wav files in one folder, then batch convert the files to another folder with WinLame at the high quality CBR setting.
 
The MPEG 3 spec provides a bit of wiggle room into how the encoding is achieved and there are two main sources of the encoding algorithm: LAME and Fraunhofer. Both have spent a fair bit of time tweaking their methods and their can be differences depending on the bit rate chosen. Last I checked, Fraunhofer worked a bit faster but LAME had a slight edge on quality, especially at higher rates.

As you care about the quality, it might be worth doing some experimenting--and, depending what codecs you have at present, it's certainly worth downloading the LAME codec and trying it out.
 
Hi, I thought I'd add a comment here as I have experimented a little with mp3 conversions to achieve a usable quality and have found through experience that there is a noticeable difference depending upon one's approach. I found my best results are from using "WavePad" a free download which has a load of options for setting bit rate, multiple fields for adding track info, as well as being a user friendly application with many additional options for manipulating audio files via a simple interface. It's not got the functions of a full on production application, but material that has been mixed down to a single high quality stereo wave can easily be converted to a very respectable mp3 file using the quality options. I've exported tracks using mixing software as mp3 files but have found my best option if quality is a high priority, to export as wav. then convert to mp3. using the WavePad and setting the output quality.

regards

Tim
 
Well, I'd go a bit farther and suggest that you should NEVER take a mix you've worked hard on and export directly to MP3. MP3 is a lossy distribution format and, as such, has no place in the production chain. Convert to MP3 if you must for posting on the web or emailing--but keep your master tracks in wave in all their pristine quality.
 
I don't know of any better way to wade through codec stuff than double blind tests. Lots of good stuff here: Codec listening test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The most recent one listed there comparing MP3 has the note "Fraunhofer and Helix codecs are several times faster at encoding than LAME, although virtually identical in terms of perceived audio quality."
 
bethanyb321 said:
i want to upload a song i just got mastered in some places online that only accept mp3s
Click to expand...
Man, I had to read that 3 times before I understood. I thought he got his songs mastered "in some place online that only accept mp3s". I couldn't figure out why nobody else found that weird. :eek:
 
mp3 is a very clever system for economising on data, but the quality is inferior. Avoid it totaly if you value quality.
 
Do you understand how a 60mb .wav file gets compressed to a 5mb mp3?

80% of the information is tossed away. (in the hope its frequencies you MIGHT not notice are missing)

There is no such thing as a free lunch. If you toss 80% of the data away your quality is GONE.

If your mastering 'engineer' says to send an mp3, TURN AND RUN THE OTHER WAY....
 
Well, I read it (after several tries) as "I have a song that has been mastered and I now wish to post it online on some sites that only accept MP3".

If it's the other way round, then I agree: run from any mastering house that wants to start with MP3 files.
 
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