After I read all the topics of how transcoding an mp3 is BAD.
I decided to Transcode my MP3 that I dont like very much that are 192k or higher to VBR , Cuz i want to use them with my MP3 CDPlayer and they are just too big.
and I dont notice any change of quality after transcoding them anyway. (Even when I Re-encoded the already Transcoded MP3 I didnt notice any diffrence)
so now to my question.
What is the best way to transcode, with "minimal damage" to the quality?
I use Razorlame. with the command:
--alt-preset standard --lowpass 17.5 -b 80 -Y --athaa-sensitivity -11 --nsmsfix 3 -V3 (this command was posted by Gabriel in this forum and it giving me bitrate about 130-170 kbps.which is what i want , Is this command recommended for this bitrate quality range?

Also when encoding is it preferable to encode the mp3 directly or Decode it first to Wav and then Encode it to MP3 Again?
i'll apreciate any comment or suggestion

Regards
Liran

p.s why when i'm using -Y in lame the following messege will appear:*** WARNING *** the meaning of the experimental -Y has changed! . Is It Noraml?[B][B][B][B][B]

Just use the a VBR alt-preset that approximates that bitrate.
You have of course read the "list of recommended lame command-lines" thread at the top of the mp3 forum.

btw.: Why transcode to save 20kbps?
That's not that much of a difference.

Yes, the message with using '-Y' is normal. Just ignore it.

If you are reencoding using lame, just specify the mp3 file as the input file. It actually gets decoded to wave again internally and then reencoded so there is no point decoding it first, it just adds time and effort.

This isn't recommended. By using the above command line, you will basically tune things to a range where the custom modifications, which make the --alt-preset vbr modes so good, will rarely ever kick in.

Messing with the --athaa-sensitivity switch and the --nsmsfix switch especially are NOT recommended.

For now, using -Y and lowering the lowpass would be the best options. Beyond that, -V would probably be the least harmful afterwards, though it's still not a very good option.

Probably the best solution, which isn't very practical at the moment I admit, is to use Takehiro's custom branch, and then --alt-preset standard -Y --substep 1.

When I have more time, I'm going to creating a new preset that uses his new substep stuff, but I will be tuning it in a manner similar to the other --alt-preset stuff (turning it off on short blocks, adjusting it according to athadjust, etc).

Maybe this will make it in time for 3.93, but I'm not sure.



It doesn't really matter in regards to MP3 quality, as long as the PCM data that you are feeding it is free from glitches.



Because -Y used to do something else. Yes, it's normal.

Thanks everyone that replied my question , so fast.
i Realy realy appricate it.
Keep up the good work

Transcoding to MPC, transcoding to mp3...
...what about transcoding to ogg?

That is: i saw a thread about transcoding to MPC, now a thread about transcoding to MP3, both with some solutions, and *still* i have not response of any advice to transcode to ogg. Leaving that oggs streams 'clean and pure' and ditching the MPC here? Don't think so, maybe another reason to not answer that.

BTW: Not really asking for an answer, just bugging...

Wait for my BROTHER, Baron! Nice avatar, ManyFaces.

...far more apparent than the Guild Navigator i used before

-- ManyFaces, The Face Dancer --