Difference between revisions of "MP3"

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(MP3 Creation With The LAME Encoder)
(V0 is the recommended setting)
 
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=MP3: MPEG 1 Audio Layer 3=
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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.  
The MP3 algorithm development started in 1987, with a joint cooperation of [http://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/ Fraunhofer IIS-A] and the University of Erlangen. It is standardised as ISO-MPEG Audio Layer-3 (IS 11172-3 and IS 13818-3).
 
  
It soon became the de facto standard for lossy audio encoding, due to the high compression rates (1/11 of the original size, still retaining considerable quality), the high availability of decoders and the low CPU requirements for playback. (486 DX2-100 is enough for real-time decoding)
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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]].
  
It supports multichannel files (Although there's no implementation yet), sampling rates from 16kHz to 24kHz (MPEG2 Layer 3) and 32kHz to 48kHz (MPEG1 Layer 3)
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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).
  
Formal and informal listening tests have shown that MP3 at the 160-224 kbps range provide encoded results undistinguishable from the original materials in most of the cases.
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==MP3 creation==
  
=LAME=
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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:
*[http://www.mp3dev.org/ LAME Homepage]
 
LAME (Lame Ain't* an MP3 Encoder) is the recommended encoder. It has been developed by the open-source community since 1998, and has become the highest quality [[MP3]] encoder for most purposes.
 
  
Some benefits for using LAME:
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*Please visit the [http://wiki.themixingbowl.org/LAME LAME wiki page] for the current recommended version
* Highly optimised presets
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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 
* Fast encoding
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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).
* [[CBR]], [[ABR]] and [[VBR]] encoding methods
 
* [[Gapless]] playback with LAME-header compliant decoders
 
* [[Exact Audio Copy]] and [[CDex]] support
 
  
_*_LAME ''is'' an MP3 encoder, it just wasn't at the very beginning of it's life
 
  
=MP3 Creation With The LAME Encoder=
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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.
  
To save yourself reading & researching a lot of information, just know that with the following applications you can make the best mp3 possible for free (Audiophile geeks have tested these applications for months & years, so you know it's going to be the best advice.  Also, the TMB admin also use and/or recommend them):
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==MP3 editing==
  
* 3.97 beta 2 is the LAME version you need > [http://www.rarewares.org/mp3.html download the LAME 3.97 beta 2 bundle from this page]
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===MP3 Cutters/Splitters===
  
* Use the '-V 2 --vbr-new' switch
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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.
** This will create variable bitrate files (vbr)
 
  
* The BEST way to rip CDs to mp3 is with [http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/ EAC].
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Recommended [[lossless]] mp3 cutters/splitters are:
* The following three [http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/ EAC] guides are very good:  
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* [[MP3DirectCut]]
  [http://users.pandora.be/satcp/eac-qs-en.htm Guide 1 - The Coaster Factory]
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* [[MP3Splt]]
  [http://www.teqnilogik.com/tutorials/eac.htm Guide 2 - Teqnilogik]
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* [[Pcutmp3]]
  [http://home.tiscali-business.be/~tpm54044/index.htm Guide 3 - Essential Ripping Guide]
 
  
* The easiest way to convert WAVs to MP3 is with: [http://members.home.nl/w.speek/all2lame.htm ALL2LAME] or [http://rarewares.org/mp3.html LameDropXPd v2]
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====MP3 Volume Changing====
  
=Further Reading=
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* [[Replaygain]]
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* [[MP3Gain]]
  
[http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ Hydrogenaudio] have officially announced a successor to their previoulsy recommended LAME mp3 encoder version 3.90.3.
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====MP3 Validation/Fixing====
  
The recommended version is now 3.97 beta 2.
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* [[MP3val]]
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* [[MP3packer]]
  
See [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=37574 this] post for details on the 3.97 beta [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ Hydrogenaudio] recommendation.
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==CD ripping to MP3==
  
See [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 this] post for the [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ Hydrogenaudio] recommended LAME settings.
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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]
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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*[http://users.fulladsl.be/spb2267/ Guide 2 - Essential Ripping Guide]
 
 
=Hydrogenaudio=
 
[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 & posts, in our opinion, is the best available anywhere on the internet.
 
  
 
[[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: