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Topic: iTunes MP3 Encoder (Read 12710 times) previous topic - next topic
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iTunes MP3 Encoder

I wish to use iTunes 11.1.4 to burn a MP3 CD. I have previously used Windows software with LAME and presets of -V 2 or -V 4 and been happy enough with the results. Can someone who has iTunes 11 tell me what settings in the iTunes MP3 Encoder custom settings will give similar results to LAME -V 2 and -V 4 please?

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #2 –
After posting, I did some testing in iTunes and found that when choosing one of the presets, "Higher Quality (192 kbps)", it takes significantly less time to encode than when using the custom settings and enabling VBR for the same bitrate, so I'll probably just use the preset instead.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #3 –
Quote from: toronado455 on
After posting, I did some testing in iTunes and found that when choosing one of the presets, "Higher Quality (192 kbps)", it takes significantly less time to encode than when using the custom settings and enabling VBR for the same bitrate, so I'll probably just use the preset instead.


As a word of caution, the Higher Quality preset will result in "Normal Stereo" files.  The High Quality (160 kbps) preset will give you Joint Stereo files.  If you configure it custom at 192 kbps, and uncheck the "smart encoding" option with Joint Stereo checked; you will get Joint Stereo files.  In other words, the iTunes "smart encoding" box overrides the Joint Stereo option at 192kbps and higher.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #4 –
Quote from: LedHed8 on
Quote from: toronado455 on
After posting, I did some testing in iTunes and found that when choosing one of the presets, "Higher Quality (192 kbps)", it takes significantly less time to encode than when using the custom settings and enabling VBR for the same bitrate, so I'll probably just use the preset instead.


As a word of caution, the Higher Quality preset will result in "Normal Stereo" files.  The High Quality (160 kbps) preset will give you Joint Stereo files.  If you configure it custom at 192 kbps, and uncheck the "smart encoding" option with Joint Stereo checked; you will get Joint Stereo files.  In other words, the iTunes "smart encoding" box overrides the Joint Stereo option at 192kbps and higher.


Thanks, I actually thought all the presets were "Normal Stereo", not just the "Higher Quality (192 kbps)".
So would you recommend using custom settings so that I can enable Joint Stereo (when I encode at higher bitrates than 160)?

Regarding the "Smart Encoding" option overriding the Joint vs Normal stereo setting...
In my version of iTunes, the two settings appear to be independently selectable, even with the bitrate set to 192.


(after clicking OK):

Is this a bug?  I mean, will the above setting actually result in Normal Stereo even though it says "Joint Stereo"?

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #5 –
Quote
Is this a bug? I mean, will the above setting actually result in Normal Stereo even though it says "Joint Stereo" in the settings?


Yes, this will result in Normal Stereo.  I don't know if I would call it a bug.  AFAIK, iTunes believes that "Normal Stereo" is the better choice for its' encoder at bitrates of 192kbps and above.  The "Smart Encoding" function enforces this belief, so to speak.  In order to get Joint Stereo, one needs to uncheck the "Smart Encoding" box.

AFAIK, iTunes is using a Fraunhofer mp3 encoder.  IIRC, Fraunhofer recommends joint stereo for bitrates of 96kbps and higher.

This is the conundrum:  Is the iTunes encoder "better" tuned with the "Smart Encoding" function?  Or is iTunes incorrect, and Joint Stereo should be defaulted in all settings?  Give them both a listen, and go with what your ears tell you. On the rare occasion that I use the iTunes mp3 encoder, my choice is 192 kbps VBR Joint Stereo with the "Smart Encoding" box unchecked.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #6 –
The good news is that at 192 kbps you should rarely, if ever, hear a difference between joint and forced stereo.

The bad news is that by using cbr instead of vbr you are not getting the maximum quality for your bits.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #7 –
For sure, I need to do some listening tests.

One other question... in regards to the "These settings do not apply to songs downloaded from the iTunes store" in the Import Settings screenshot I posted, what exactly are they referring to?

I realize that if I import a real physical CD, it will use the settings I choose, but what happens if I right-click (Ctrl-click) on a Purchased AAC audio file that I downloaded from the iTunes store and choose "Create MP3 Version"?

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #8 –
Quote
I realize that if I import a real physical CD, it will use the settings I choose, but what happens if I right-click (Ctrl-click) on a Purchased AAC audio file that I downloaded from the iTunes store and choose "Create MP3 Version"?


You will have 2 different files: the original purchased AAC and the MP3 transcode.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #9 –
Quote from: LedHed8 on
Quote
I realize that if I import a real physical CD, it will use the settings I choose, but what happens if I right-click (Ctrl-click) on a Purchased AAC audio file that I downloaded from the iTunes store and choose "Create MP3 Version"?


You will have 2 different files: the original purchased AAC and the MP3 transcode.


Yes, but what settings are used on the MP3 transcode? It says "These settings do not apply to songs downloaded from the iTunes store" in the Import Settings screenshot I posted above.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #10 –
Quote from: toronado455 on
It says "These settings do not apply to songs downloaded from the iTunes store" in the Import Settings screenshot I posted above.


Thats a reference to songs which you buy from iTunes, which are always AAC encoded by the people submitting them to iTunes, hence the MP3 encoder settings do not apply.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #11 –
These two settings produce approx same file size. Which is better?

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #12 –
I doubt that you will hear much of a difference between the two settings.  If I had to make a choice, I'd choose the custom 160kbps VBR settings.  However, I would not override the iTunes encoder defaults to the extent that you have.  I would leave the choice as joint stereo with the "Smart Encoding" box checked.  In other words, leave all of the encoder settings as they default with the exception of enabling vbr at the highest quality setting.  Without knowing how "well-tuned" the iTunes mp3 encoder is; it's probably best to stick as close to the defaults as possible.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Reply #13 –
I guess they are about the same. I have reverted to the custom defaults except for enabling VBR @ highest quality, as per your suggestion. Thank you.