Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3

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Johnny4Lonnie
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2011/10/11 13:14:31 (permalink)

Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3

Running into problems exporting a song to 128kb;  crapping out in quality.   Seems to be fine exporting to 192kb and higher, and WAV. Looking for any suggestions.
 
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    Kev999
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/11 16:53:25 (permalink)
    It's normally advisable to export your mix to WAV and convert it to MP3 as a separate stage.

    Similar thread:
    http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2403327

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    Johnny4Lonnie
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/12 09:27:00 (permalink)
    Kev999


    It's normally advisable to export your mix to WAV and convert it to MP3 as a separate stage.

    Similar thread:
    http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2403327


    Thanks, I actually tried this B4 I posted and still getting the same result. I'll try to back down the compression on the WAV mix and then boost it as needed when going to MP3
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    CJaysMusic
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/12 12:01:07 (permalink)
    The lower the Mp3 bitrate, the lower your sound quality is. 320 is the best bitrate for MP3's. Mp3;s degrade your sound quality due to the compression that's used in the conversion. Your MP3 converter also plays a minor role in quality.

    128 is a low bit rate. if your looking for quality, keep it as a wave file (16/44) or use a bit rate of 320. Wave files are the best. Even an MP3 at 320 bit rate is of a lower quality compared to a 16bit 44.1kHz wave file.

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    Johnny4Lonnie
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/12 12:54:45 (permalink)
    Agreed, 128 sucks.  One of my publishers needs some stuff in 128, I assume because of the reduced file size
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    johnnyV
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/12 12:55:53 (permalink)
    It will also depend on the original mix. The better the original mix the more you can trash it kind of thing.Also different styles of music tend to show the compression more than others I never use 128 unless it's just to send a song idea to a band mate on a dial up. 190 is my bare min. Below that it's not even in true stereo. And yes, always mix to a hi quality wave file first. then convert it.

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    Beagle
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/12 13:13:11 (permalink)
    sometimes it might be necessary to readjust the mix for an MP3 of that low conversion.

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    bitflipper
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    Re:Problem Exporting to 128kb MP3 2011/10/12 17:53:59 (permalink)

    crapping out in quality

    Can you elaborate on what you mean by "crapping out in quality"? Is it distorted? Do you hear aliasing? Can you identify specifically what sounds worse at 128 versus 192?

    As a general rule, you need to be more conservative in your mix for 128kb/s. Less limiting, less high-frequency content, less percussive transients, fewer stereo phase tricks, gentler compression. I'd start by looking at my limiter settings, then try adding a lowpass filter across the master bus set to roll off around 16KHz.

    If your client's request is based on file size alone, you might want to look into variable bitrate encoding (VBR), which can give you a comparably small file with better high-frequency content.
    post edited by bitflipper - 2011/10/12 17:56:31


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