Tom Fine wrote:
Don:
Absolutely. I find that encoders are even more different. They make different sounding and
different sized files, at the same bitrate. I prefer real-deal German-licensed MP3 encoders. Have
never liked the slow speed or bad sound results I've gotten from LAME with various front ends. I
find that Sony Soundforge, since they licensed the German CODEC, makes fine-sounding MP3's but
they are bloated compared to what Apple or MusicMatch turns out. As for decoders, the
worst-sounding MP3 player is by far the Real software. MusicMatch and Apple both play
fine-sounding MP3 but are both bloated programs that use a lot of overhead. If you want a very
low-resource program that sounds just fine, check out the AudioActive player from Telos Systems.
I just noticed there's no obvious link to download it from their website anymore. Pity.
-- Tom Fine
I analyzed encoders early on and have tried to maintain currency as they have appeared and been
upgraded. Oversimplifying, the Fraunhofer codec minimizes artifacts at the expense of
high-frequency response. MP3 encoding is one topic appearing on several pages of the primer at my
WWW site (on the CD-recording side). This one illustrates the differences in encoders.
http://www.mrichter.com/cdr/primer/mp3enc.htm
My own taste dictates minimizing what is inserted into the sound, so I choose sample rate and
compression to provide the desired frequency response with the Fraunhofer codec. Another good
choice (though it does push a bit on the high end with some artifacts) is LAME. Particularly at
high bitrates where any artifacts are less likely to be recognized, it is a good alternative.
And unlike the incarnations of the licensed Fraunhofer codec, it is freeware.
Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/