OT.....mp3 encoders

[1wahfreak]

I'm trying to make an mp3 from a .wav but the encoders I've found all sound like crap. I started using the one that came with Cakewalk but the mp3 came out all muffled and boomy sounding. I tried easy CD Ripper and got the same thing. All the highs are gone and just nasty sounding. Am I doing something wrong or is it just the conversion process?

[MarkB]

LAME is supposed to sound very good.
http://lame.sourceforge.net/

[Adam Shame]

I used CDEx.. you can get it from download.com

[aron]

You can try iTunes, rip at 160Kbps or even 256Kpbs. The higher, the better the sound but less compression and larger file.

[The Tone God]

I use LAME as well. Check your settings. You may be convert at a low rate that compresses the file too much.

Andrew

[1wahfreak]

I tried my Calkwalk encoder again and at 320Kbps and it is still pretty dull. This was my first time creating an mp3 and I guess I was just expecting more from it. One of the guys at work said that it is the nature of the beast. Compressing files from 28megs  to 3 or 4 megs removes lots of information which translats to loss of highs and clarity.

[Boofhead]

I use the LAME encoder with CDEX (which is free) it works great.  LAME is particularly good for 128k+ bitrates.  

Typical bitrate vs quality: 192kbps is good quality.  160kbps is acceptable for "good quality".  128kbps generally has noticeable defects on most tracks.

You have to set-up the encoder as well.  MPEG-I (for proper adherence to MPEG-I layer 3 mp3 standard).  A typical high-quality setting is 192kbps, quality=high (q=2).   For most music I use Joint or Forced-Joint stereo.

I've experimented with variable bit-rate encoding with good results: set min to 128k or 160k and max to 192k or 224k.

I'm surprised how bad some encoders are and how poorly people rips stuff.

Also: I recommend the mp3gain program (also free) for adjusting the levels on compilations - it uses a lossless method as opposed to the method of decoding and re-encoding (which causes loss).