iTunes: what bitrate settings for import

[skyko]

I'm wondering what bitrate settings I should use to import my CDs. Using the default 80/160 I have noticeable differences between CD playback and MP3 playback.
I went to 96/192 VBR and it's better.
What do other people use?
Is VBR saving anything really? Would const bit rate be better? Or should I go to much higher bit rate using VBR?

Any professional audio people out there that can consult and/or explain. Any llinks?

--skyko

[blindguy]

128 bit encoding is supposedly the best quality because the way the mp3 codec was coded. I am not sure why, but it has been tested and you get the best sound output. It also saves HD space, not significantly, but some. Just a suggestion.

[scott_manelis]

Originally posted by blindguy
128 bit encoding is supposedly the best quality because the way the mp3 codec was coded. I am not sure why, but it has been tested and you get the best sound output. It also saves HD space, not significantly, but some. Just a suggestion.

That's not true. 128 may save space overall, but there is NO advantage in quality over higher bit rates and especially none over any VBR above 128.

Personally, I go with 128 as a baseline, with VBR cranked to the highest quality. It rarely makes a mp3 with a rate above 192.

There are many different flavors of encoders, iTunes has one, so does LAME (which you can use with iTunes nicely)

Hope this helps...

oh, check out r3mix.net for some info on mp3s.

[blindguy]

I guess that I was wrong. I looked into it some more and found that 192 is the standard now. For some good info I would suggest going to http://www.pinoyware.com/fliptech/bitrate.shtml

[marcv]

With VBR the bitrate you pick is the minimum. So VBR 160 means: use 160 unless more is needed.

Go to http://www.r3mix.net/ and click the Analysis button for loads of interesting graphics and comparisons between codecs