depending on the original mastering quality, audio source, which compression
algorithm, bitrate etc...you can get some DAMN good quality from MP3. I do
all my encoding at 192k Variable Bitrate or higher, 44kHz frequency range
for CD and 48kHz for vinyl. I dont use Joint Stereo (joint stereo looks at
left and right from the source, and combines any identical sounds into mono
to save file size), and depending on the type of music, my encoder has the
option of filtering out frequencies below 10 hertz to make that space in the
bitrate available for the audible portion of the music. This is bad in some
cases though, as it could affect certain harmonics in the mid/low-frequency
ranges.
True, most people out there really don't know how to properly encode a
track, they just put in the disc, use the default settings and go. It's
more of an art than that these days, as more and more people start
questioning the quality of MP3...I've done some experiments with my
computer. Make a short sample using various frequencies, waveforms,
etc...encoding it at different settings, then decoding them again, look at
the original and decoded waveforms to compare them, listening very closely,
using software to exactly compare them, etc....I have very sharp ears, am
good at recognizing sounds, etc....(thanks to Mom for being a music teacher
before and after I was born) and listen on a pair of Alesis M1 Active
monitor speakers...I'd say in most (not all) cases I can't tell the
difference between a CD Digital Audio Track and a properly encoded MP3, the
exceptions are usually when encoding an IDM track that uses a very wide
range of frequencies simultaneously, which is hard for an MP3 encoder to
handle with acceptable quality. I've noticed that Aphex Twin is good at
making un-encodable tracks, they just don't quite sound right after coming
out of the meat grinder...high frequency artifacts are prominent, especially
at 128k, but seem to be nearly unnoticable at 224 or higher.
quoted 56 lines ----------
> ----------
> From: brian albers
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 1:32 PM
> To: idm@hyperreal.org
> Subject: Re: [idm] Sound quality - mp3
>
>
>
> >
> > > Mp3 quality sucks anyway.
> >
> >
> >Do you only listen to vinyl? If you do, I understand your reluctance
> >to embrace MP3's. But if you are used to CD's, which are purely a
> >digital format anyway, then MP3's are not that far removed in sound
> >quality.
>
> With all due respect to you, Irene, I think you're missing the point. mp3
> may or may not have the potential to sound really great. But in my
> experience, the stuff I've pulled from the internet sounds atrocious,
> almost
> without exception. Almost.
>
> Why do you think the adverts for services like e-music or whoever else
> taut
> "near CD quality" and not specifically "CD quality?" Because they know
> it's
> not.
>
> I've traded cds with others on this list and I can recognize fairly
> immediately what was pulled from the internet and what came from and
> original cd or record. That might be because I am a musician and an audio
> engineer and therefore have some really tuned in ears.
>
> At the same time, if you want to hear a download that sounds totally
> bloody
> phenomenal, go to www.mutek.ca and check out Pole's show. Wonderful highs,
>
> wonderful lows. Stylistically I don't really care too much for his stuff,
> but it sounded so good in terms of the mix and overall production that I
> save a copy for myself. In stereo no less, which unfortunately seems like
> a
> rarity on the internet.
>
> I'm not clued in at all with codecs and modems and compression techniques,
>
> all I know is what I've heard.
> _________________________________________________________________
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