Difference between revisions of "MP3"

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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 bitrates of 128kbps and above. Any hardware and software player/device can decode and play these files.  
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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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===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).  
  
 
===MP3 creation===
 
===MP3 creation===
  
The [[LAME]] encoder is needed. Encoding with [[LAME]] is very simple and easy:
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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:
  
 
*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])
 
*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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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.
 
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.
  
===CD Ripping to MP3===
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====CD ripping to MP3====
  
 
The best way to rip CDs to MP3 is with [[EAC]]. The following three EAC guides are very good:  
 
The best way to rip CDs to MP3 is with [[EAC]]. The following three EAC guides are very good:  

Revision as of 19:52, 1 September 2006

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 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:

  • 3.97 beta 3 is the LAME version you need (download the LAME 3.97 beta 3 bundle from this page)
  • 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".
  • 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 tracks from CD), 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.


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.

CD ripping to MP3

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