What settings will yield the best quality MP3s

[ElMuerte]

Is there a guide anywhere that shows step by step on how to setup DB Poweramp so I can rip the best quality MP3s? My compression settings are 256Kbps at VBR. Should channels and freq be set to "as source"? Also, after ripping is complete I get a message about accuraterip didn't recognize my CD. How can that be fixed? So basically I want an idiots guide to DBpoweramp :o Thanks for any help! -Mac

[xoas]

Re: What are the best settings for high quality MP3s?

With respect to the question as to getting the highest quality MP3 files:
Mp3 has a maximum bitrate of 320 kbs. Bitrate is a major measure of quality (the higher the bitrate the lower the loss of audio information from the original source). So, in theory, a bitrate of 320 will be best quality. In practice, it is quite likely that you would find no real difference between your 256 vbr mp3's and 320 kbs mp3's but each user's ears, equipment and needs are different.

I personally use the alt. presets. I have taken to using alt preset standard for tracks I am preparing for my portable mp3/wma/wave player or for my car's mp3/cd player. I have found the alt. preset extreme produces somewhat better quality files for use on my computer. Some users swear by alt preset extreme. The alt presets are tweaked for better performance across a number of variables (quality of sound, quick conversion speed and best compression). My understanding is that all of the settings in the latest LAME versions are trying to standardize the various presets to the alt preset standards (so that alt preset standard and the standard preset would be tuned to identical standards).

With the presets, I don't think you need to worry about channels and frequency. Outside of the presets, there are times when setting channels and frequency to "as source" is an advantage and other times when it is not, in my experience. You are probably OK to set these at "as source" and then adjusting this if you run into an issue.

By the way, are you sure you are using a VBR setting. I ask because VNR bitrates are generally tuned either to a preset standard (such as alt preset standard) or to an upper and a lower range (say 220 to 280 kbs). There are two adjustments you need to make (right mouse click to set the upper limit and left mouse click to adjust the lower limit for your VBR setting). If both are set to the same bitrate you no longer have a VBR file (since everything is the same bitrate).

AccurateRip won't really work until you get it properly configured. For best results, you will want to do this sometime for each source drive you may be ripping from (since it needs to be configured to each drive you use). But the message you get in no other way will affect the quality of your rip.

Now as to the idiot's guide, I heartily recommend that you take the time to review the on-line Help files for dBpowerAMP Music Converter (dMC) and its components. For nearly all of the various screens in dMC you will find a ? icon that will guide you to the Help files for the feature you are using at the time. You can also go Start> All Programs> dBpowerAMP Music Converter> Help to access a menu of Help files for dMC.
In my opinion, these are a valuable resource and you should b able to learn a lot about all the features of dMC and how to use them (including how to configure AccurateRip).

Best wishes,
Bill

[LtData]

Re: What are the best settings for high quality MP3s?

Also, its possible that even if AccurateRip is configured, the CD you are ripping is not in the AccurateRip database. Therefore, after you rip it, you can submit it to the database (takes about 3-4 weeks to show up) and it will show up the next time you rip it.

[ElMuerte]

Re: What settings will yield the best quality MP3s

Thanks for the reply. Do you think there would be much difference between 256 and 192? I ask only because the music I listen to is mostly thrash/death metal. I always thought higher bit rates were for more "popular" types of music.....ie jazz/classic/rock etc..

[xoas]

Re: What settings will yield the best quality MP3s

Many people would not notice the difference between mp3s at 192 kbs and mp3s at 256 kbs. However the question is generally only meaningful from the context of your own listening (including your auditory acuity, your equipment, your listening environment). The only true test would be to check for yourself.

Best wishes,
Bill

[ElMuerte]

Re: What settings will yield the best quality MP3s

Thanks for all the help! Last question, should the channel be set to joint stereo and the freq to as source? Or should both be set to as source? Thanks again!

[LtData]

Re: What settings will yield the best quality MP3s

Joint-Stereo will result in a little higher quality in your file, and the frequency as source should be fine. Just note that the default frequency is normally 44100Hz (44.1KHz)

[neilthecellist]

Re: What settings will yield the best quality MP3s

A [very] minor exception is when you convert classical music, in which you want Stereo... at least that's from my point of view. Something sounds "different" in joint stereo, or maybe it's my ears with absolute pitch capability.