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Topic: MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2 (Read 9686 times) previous topic - next topic
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MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

pretty much the title...

if I have 320 cbr MP3 files (I'm going to assume all from lossless sources), would converting directly from 320 cbr to v0 or v2 result in lower quality than if I have converted directly from lossless to v0 or v2?

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #1
Yes.  Whether the quality is audibly worse is a different matter, though I would hardly be surprised to see someone demonstrate that in a double-blind test.

Maybe you can reduce the size of the files using mp3packer or simply re-encode from the original lossless sources if they still exist.

If the sources do exist then you might consider giving the artists their compensation if you haven't already done so.

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #2
ah alright, 320 cbr really does take up too much space for just an MP3...

you got me haha, these are overseas releases, and when online stores that ship to America finally start featuring them I'll definitely be nabbing lossless copies for myself. nothing beats a physical booklet after all.

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #3
Yes.  There is theoretical/mathematical loss every time you encode MP3.    However, you may not hear any difference. 

Since you don't have the lossless originals, there's not much point in asking the question...  The more important question is, "Will I hear a difference between the 320 and a V0/V2 conversion?"    You'll have to try it for yourself to see if you can hear a difference with your files.

If you have a need, or a good reason, to re-encode....  Just do it and live with the potential quality loss.  If you don't have the need, just don't do it...

I don't like making lossy-to-lossy conversions, but sometimes I don't have a choice (I usually do have the option of using high bitrates and I never notice any quality loss).

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #4
Also try out MP3Packer, which may be able to reduce your 320 kbps files in file-size to some degree.

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #5
MP3Packer does help a bit, I used it often back when I only made 320 rips of CDs and I didn't know any better. now I've gone to a mostly FLAC library, and convert to v0/v2 for my portable stuffs.


I think I'm just gonna stick with the packed 320 until I get my hands on actual CDs. thanks everyone!

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #6
i converted all mp3 dj set from 320 to vbr V0.5
Do you recommend V0 with Y switch enable istead of V0.5?

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #7
i converted all mp3 dj set from 320 to vbr V0.5
Do you recommend V0 with Y switch enable istead of V0.5?


Are you now talking about
1) converting from lossless source (original CD or FLAC etc) direct to MP3 or
2) from one MP3 setting (320 CBR) to another (-V 0.5 or -V 0 -Y)?

lostguru has been talking about (1), which is the best approach, the rest of this thread had been about (2) which is known as lossy-to-lossy transcoding.

Your answer will help us to advise you.

If it's (2), I'd suggest that -V 0 -Y would be better if those are the only two options as it provides a fraction more headroom above the level normally required for transparency in the frequency range where it's most likely transcoding issues will become audible. I really doubt that sfb21 (the frequency range above 16 kHz will reveal transcoding artifacts).

If it's (1), I'd imagine both settings would be essentially indistinguishable, already having a good deal of safety margin beyond the threshold of transparency, which is probably nearer to -V3 or -V2, and again, in real music, whether -Y is used or not, is unlikely to make an audible difference.

For case (2), -V3 or -V2 might be a little risky, because the inaccuracy of two encoding steps is being combined, and they're aimed at pretty much being just enough to ensure transparency (problem samples aside), with little margin of safety when encoding from the original, lossless source. Having said that, for a number of uses I've happily done just that sort of thing and not noticed a problem, but if you're DJing, you don't want to be taking chances.
Dynamic – the artist formerly known as DickD

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #8
i converted all mp3 dj set from 320 to vbr V0.5
Do you recommend V0 with Y switch enable istead of V0.5?


Are you now talking about
1) converting from lossless source (original CD or FLAC etc) direct to MP3 or
2) from one MP3 setting (320 CBR) to another (-V 0.5 or -V 0 -Y)?

lostguru has been talking about (1), which is the best approach, the rest of this thread had been about (2) which is known as lossy-to-lossy transcoding.

Your answer will help us to advise you.

If it's (2), I'd suggest that -V 0 -Y would be better if those are the only two options as it provides a fraction more headroom above the level normally required for transparency in the frequency range where it's most likely transcoding issues will become audible. I really doubt that sfb21 (the frequency range above 16 kHz will reveal transcoding artifacts).

If it's (1), I'd imagine both settings would be essentially indistinguishable, already having a good deal of safety margin beyond the threshold of transparency, which is probably nearer to -V3 or -V2, and again, in real music, whether -Y is used or not, is unlikely to make an audible difference.

For case (2), -V3 or -V2 might be a little risky, because the inaccuracy of two encoding steps is being combined, and they're aimed at pretty much being just enough to ensure transparency (problem samples aside), with little margin of safety when encoding from the original, lossless source. Having said that, for a number of uses I've happily done just that sort of thing and not noticed a problem, but if you're DJing, you don't want to be taking chances.

2) for dj sets, available for free on Soundcloud,  none use VBR V0, most are 320k, none is using lame 3.99.5
1) for any tracks found on Soundcloud  that are flac
i use XRECODE with external Lame 3.99.5 x64

 

MP3 conversion 320cbr to v0/v2

Reply #9
2) for dj sets, available for free on Soundcloud,  none use VBR V0, most are 320k, none is using lame 3.99.5
1) for any tracks found on Soundcloud  that are flac
i use XRECODE with external Lame 3.99.5 x64


For 2) the Soundcloud MP3 files, why re-encode. It can only make quality worse (or no better), and if you're using -V0 or similar settings, it won't be an awful lot lower in bitrate, so why bother? The only reason to transcode is if you 'process' the files through some DSP or whatever, and want to bake that effect into the audio, or you want to do some beat-matching or mash-ups and make a new MP3 out of the result.

For 1), really any setting between -V3 and -V0 should be transparent  and most folks here are happy with -V2 or -V2 -Y. Even -V5 is really very good for general music listening with most differences from the original being of the 'perceptible but not annoying' variety to most listeners in blind testing, even for most of the known 'codec killer' problem samples and with a pretty big saving on bitrate. I've also had joy at around 130kbpps with Helix VBR - the same settings that tied with LAME -V5 or -V5.7 in the 128 kbps MP3 Listening Test a few years ago - though I use that only on devices that can't play gapless. I'd rather use LAME and retain gapless compatibility otherwise.
Dynamic – the artist formerly known as DickD