Samples for 128 kbps listening test Options

[Sebastian Mares]

Here are the samples I decided to keep from the ones posted for the 64 kbps listening test a few months ago. I also included some which were posted within the last few days. There are 14 samples. Assuming PoisonDan manages to send me Sash - Stay and I also include a sample from Cockney Rebel ("Sebastian"), there is room for 2 other samples. What the collection lacks now is some orchestral sample. I already asked Guru if he can post something or if not, I can choose one from the samples Roberto used. As 18th sample, maybe we could use something from a movie that can also serve for lowering the average bitrate.
Moreover, some samples from this set can be replaced with some older samples if you see need.

So far, here are the bitrates for the given samples. I used foobar2000 for everything but WMA. For WMA, I relied on the duration and the file size.

http://maresweb.de/bitrates.htm

Regards,
Sebastian

Edit: Thanks to everyone who submitted the audio clips.

This post has been edited by Sebastian Mares: Nov 30 2005, 23:23

[Sebastian Mares]

Here are two more samples. What do you think - should any of them be included?

[Alex B]

Here is an orchestral sample from the end of Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole.

I like it and I thought it would make a fine sample. But after trying to ABX it I am not sure. This is a very dynamic part of the symphony and it may not be easy to hear subtle artifacts. Perhaps guruboolez could tell his opinion.


Edit: a small fix
Edit2: replaced the sample with a FLAC version

Sample removed to make room (send a PM with your mail address if you like to hear it).

This post has been edited by Alex B: Dec 2 2005, 17:35

[sehested]

Female Jazz singer with crystal voice

As suggested by Alex B.

 Norby____Life_on_Mars.m4a ( 168.21K ) Number of downloads: 430

[Sebastian Mares]

Received the following sample from a user:

Howard Shore - 2001 - The Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Ring (OST) - 13. The Bridge Of Khazad Dum

[Halcyon]

I quickly went through the samples. Rock, pop, orchestral, acoustic instruments are well represented.

How about a vocal only track? A possible example:

Attached File(s)

 stop.m4a ( 168.06K ) Number of downloads: 184

 

[Halcyon]

Another possibility is an acoustic track with very quiet parts and high dynamic variation. A possible example:

Attached File(s)

 miyake.m4a ( 185.83K ) Number of downloads: 233

 

[Sebastian Mares]

I considered adding Tom's Diner, but I am not sure if we really need a vocal track at 128 kbps.

Edit...

I quickly went through the samples. Rock, pop, orchestral, acoustic instruments are well represented.

How about a vocal only track? A possible example:

That sounds - umm - weird.

This post has been edited by Sebastian Mares: Dec 1 2005, 18:44

[sehested]

Jazz sample of highest recording standards:

TITLE=Reunion Blues
ARTIST=Lars Erstrand
ALBUM=Test CD 4: Depth Of Image - Timbre - Dynamics
TRACKNUMBER=13/17
DISCNUMBER=04
GENRE=Jazz
ENCODER=CD (EAC)

 Jazz.flac ( 3MB ) Number of downloads: 476

[Alex B]

Three opera voice samples.

Edit: removed to make room (they were not very difficult to encode anyway).

This post has been edited by Alex B: Dec 5 2005, 15:25

[Alex B]

Here is one more for the road: a female choir sample, something between classical and modern by Carl Jenkins.

It might be difficult for the encoders because of the extended continuous choir passage.

Sample removed to make room (send a PM with your mail address if you like to hear it).

This post has been edited by Alex B: Dec 2 2005, 17:34

[Sebastian Mares]

Thanks, I think I have enough samples now. It's difficult already to decide which ones to throw out and replace by others.

Again, thanks for the support.

[Alex B]

A couple of samples by Björk. Check the test thread for details.

Edit

Removed the storm.flac and cetacea.flac attachments to make room.
Available by email. PM me.

This post has been edited by Alex B: Jan 15 2006, 13:52