Difference between revisions of "MP3"

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(V0 is the recommended setting)
 
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'''MP3''' is short for '''MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3''' and it is the preferred audio format at The Mixing Bowl due to its compatibility and high quality when used at high bitrates.
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'''MP3''' is short for '''MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3''' and it is the preferred audio format at The Mixing Bowl due to its compatibility and quality.  
  
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==LAME==
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==MP3 Licensing==
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See [http://mp3licensing.com/royalty/ royalty rates], consider using an open and patent-free alternatives as [[Ogg Vorbis]] or [[FLAC]].
  
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[[LAME]] is the recommeded MP3 encoder at The Mixing Bowl. Some benefits of using LAME:
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==MP3 playback==
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Any hardware and software player/device can decode and play these files. A very good all-platform player is [[VLC]], for the Windows platform the preferred choices are [[Winamp]] (the de-facto standard), [[foobar2000]] (great sound quality for experienced users), and [[Apollo]], the best "mp3-only" player on the internet (very often used by radio stations to broadcast mp3-based content).  
  
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*Highly optimised presets
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==MP3 creation==
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*[[CBR]], [[ABR]] and [[VBR]] encoding methods
 
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*[[Gapless]] playback with LAME-header compliant decoders
 
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*[[Exact Audio Copy]] and [[CDex]] support
 
  
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===MP3 creation with the LAME encoder===
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The [[LAME]] encoder is needed. Do not use other [[MP3]] encoders (for example that one that comes with [[Winamp]])! Encoding with [[LAME]] is very simple and easy:
  
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To save yourself reading and researching a lot of information, here is a very quick guide to using LAME:
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*Please visit the [http://wiki.themixingbowl.org/LAME LAME wiki page] for the current recommended version
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*The input file for [[LAME]] is most often a [[WAV]] file (CD tracks or recorded broadcasts with the *.wav extension). The general syntax (command line) for getting a suitable [[MP3]] file is quite simple: "lame.exe '''switch''' input.wav", e.g. lame.exe -V 0 input.wav output.mp3 
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*Create preferably variable bitrate files ([[VBR]]) with a targeted average bitrate of 245kbps. Do this by using the '''-V 0''' switch (alternative [[LAME]] [[VBR]] switches might be necessary for [[WAV]] files recorded from [[FM]] broadcasts, although the [[LAME]] encoder is very clever and the '''-V 0''' switch is really all you need).
  
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*3.97 beta 3 is the LAME version you need ([http://www.rarewares.org/mp3.html download the LAME 3.97 beta 3 bundle from this page])
 
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*The input file for lame is most often a WAV file (CD tracks or recorded broadcasts with the *.wav extension). The general syntax (command line) for getting a suitable mp3-file is quite simple: "lame <switch> input.wav". Switches can define a lot of things but you will most probably only need to define a bitrate.
 
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*Create preferably variable bitrate files (VBR) with a targeted average bitrate between 170-210kbps, if possible. Do this by trying the '''-V 2 --vbr-new''' switch first (fully sufficient for encoding CD tracks), then '''-V 1 --vbr-new''' and finally the '''-V 0 --vbr-new''' switch (the alternative switches might be necessary for WAV files recorded from FM broadcasts), whatever of them gives results in the desired bitrate range.
 
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*Instead of encoding at a variable bitrate you can also encode your input file at a constant bitrate although this is not recommended. Most encoded mp3-files on the TMB tracker are constant bitrate files at 192kbps. Use the '''-b 192''' switch to get these mp3-files.
 
  
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If you don't like the [[LAME]] command line and prefer graphical interfaces or simply if you want to read a more complete guide, then please read the [[LAME]] page on the wiki.
  
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For a more complete guide please read the [[LAME]] page on the wiki.
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==MP3 editing==
  
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==CD Ripping==
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===MP3 Cutters/Splitters===
  
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The best way to rip CDs to MP3 is with [[EAC]]. The following three EAC guides are very good:
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Editing MP3s, to cut/split audio from a file, is best done using an editor that can perform that task [[lossless]]ly; that is, the MP3 file does not get decoded to [[WAV]] to allow editing, and then re-encoded back to mp3.
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*[http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac-qs-en.htm Guide 1 - The Coaster Factory]
 
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*[http://www.teqnilogik.com/tutorials/eac.htm Guide 2 - Teqnilogik]
 
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*[http://home.tiscali-business.be/~tpm54044/index.htm Guide 3 - Essential Ripping Guide]
 
  
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==Further Reading==
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Recommended [[lossless]] mp3 cutters/splitters are:
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* [[MP3DirectCut]]
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* [[MP3Splt]]
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* [[Pcutmp3]]
  
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[http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ Hydrogenaudio] are widely regarded as ''the'' digital audiophile site on the web. Most of the audio codec developers are members of the forum, and the information detailed there in stickies and posts, in our opinion, is the best available anywhere on the internet.
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====MP3 Volume Changing====
  
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Hydrogenaudio have officially announced a successor to their previoulsy recommended LAME mp3 encoder version 3.90.3. The recommended version is now 3.97 beta 3.
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* [[Replaygain]]
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* [[MP3Gain]]
  
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*See [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=37574 this] post for details on the LAME 3.97 beta Hydrogenaudio recommendation.
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====MP3 Validation/Fixing====
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*See [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 this] post for the Hydrogenaudio recommended LAME settings.
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*See [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125 this] post for a high level overview of the LAME versions.
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* [[MP3val]]
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* [[MP3packer]]
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==CD ripping to MP3==
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The best way to rip CDs to MP3 is with [[EAC]]. The following EAC guides are very good:
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*[http://www.teqnilogik.com/tutorials/eac.htm Guide 1 - Teqnilogik]
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*[http://users.fulladsl.be/spb2267/ Guide 2 - Essential Ripping Guide]
  
 
[[Category:Audio Formats]]
 
[[Category:Audio Formats]]

Latest revision as of 16:26, 9 April 2020

MP3 is short for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 and it is the preferred audio format at The Mixing Bowl due to its compatibility and quality.

MP3 Licensing

See royalty rates, consider using an open and patent-free alternatives as Ogg Vorbis or FLAC.

MP3 playback

Any hardware and software player/device can decode and play these files. A very good all-platform player is VLC, for the Windows platform the preferred choices are Winamp (the de-facto standard), foobar2000 (great sound quality for experienced users), and Apollo, the best "mp3-only" player on the internet (very often used by radio stations to broadcast mp3-based content).

MP3 creation

The LAME encoder is needed. Do not use other MP3 encoders (for example that one that comes with Winamp)! Encoding with LAME is very simple and easy:

  • Please visit the LAME wiki page for the current recommended version
  • The input file for LAME is most often a WAV file (CD tracks or recorded broadcasts with the *.wav extension). The general syntax (command line) for getting a suitable MP3 file is quite simple: "lame.exe switch input.wav", e.g. lame.exe -V 0 input.wav output.mp3
  • Create preferably variable bitrate files (VBR) with a targeted average bitrate of 245kbps. Do this by using the -V 0 switch (alternative LAME VBR switches might be necessary for WAV files recorded from FM broadcasts, although the LAME encoder is very clever and the -V 0 switch is really all you need).


If you don't like the LAME command line and prefer graphical interfaces or simply if you want to read a more complete guide, then please read the LAME page on the wiki.

MP3 editing

MP3 Cutters/Splitters

Editing MP3s, to cut/split audio from a file, is best done using an editor that can perform that task losslessly; that is, the MP3 file does not get decoded to WAV to allow editing, and then re-encoded back to mp3.

Recommended lossless mp3 cutters/splitters are:

MP3 Volume Changing

MP3 Validation/Fixing

CD ripping to MP3

The best way to rip CDs to MP3 is with EAC. The following EAC guides are very good:

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