Re: How do you get decent MP3?

["mark_harrison_uk2" <mph@xxxxxxx>]

Richard,

Have a look at http:\\www.r3mix.net for information how important the=20
following are:

1: The right ripping software
2: The right encoding software
3: The right parameters on the encoding

In case you don't have time to read, the quick summary is use:

1: Exact Audio Copy to rip
2: LAME to encode
3: --r3mix as settings, which is a LAME alias for  something like "--
nspsytune --vbr-mtrh -V1 -mj -h -b96 --lowpass 19.5 --athtype 3 --ns-
sfb21 2 -Z --scale 0.98 -X0"

Once I moved to EAC + LAME with the --r3mix settings, then I noticed=20
a marked difference between the quality of the MP3s and those I'd=20
ripped before using (in my case) MusicMatch.

I would _not_ trust the sound card in my PC. Sound cards basically=20
have a "sound generator" stage, followed by a "mixer"
stage. A well=20
setup MultiMedia PC will have a _direct_ connection from the CD=20
player to the mixer stage, and bypass the sound generator completely.=20
Playing back MP3s, however, _has_ to use the sound generator.

What the "all in one" solutions give you is "plug and
play" setup.=20
However, this comes at a price. A very well-specified PC-based MP3=20
server could come in at about =A33-400, that's assuming you don't=20
already have a PC you can use. However, this will involved spending=20
some time on the Internet getting it set up. Compared to this,=20
the "turnkey" solutions are quick, but pricey.

Are you coming to UKHA2003 next month? We are going to have a=20
demonstration of the following, which constitute a reasonable cross-
section of the MP3 play-back market:

- CD played back from PC
- MP3 played back from PC
- MP3 played back from Rio Receiver
- MP3 played back from Turtle Beach Audiotron
- MP3 played back from SliMP3
- MP3 played back from Barix Exstreamer

Regards,

Mark