hi,
first post and already a problem.
i have used eac for many years and never encountered this.
so..i'm using eac and the recommended lame version 3.90.3. my problem is that when it comes to encoding with --alt preset standard the bitrate is 128 constantly. i've never encountered this and don't know what i might be doing wrong here. i tried various options and all seem to be configured right, i also doublechecked with the recommended settings here. the weird thing is that when i rip let's say vinyl this does not happen. so i firgure it has something to do with the extraction of the wav files itself.

i'm grateful for any tips thx

Sounds like EAC is using the bit rate from the bit rate dropdown box instead of APS. If you change the 'bit rate' value in compression options to 320kbps does it encode at a different bit rate?

Can you post the command line you have in the External Compression tab please?

If you've followed the wiki it is posible your command line starts:

%l--alt-preset 128%l%h--alt-preset standard%h

If so, you may have the Low quality radio button checked. Select the High quality button and try again.

i am using --alt-preset standard.

@Defsac i tried encoding externally aswell with razorlame and i get the same results.thats why i thought something has to be wrong with eac and grabbing the wavs.


ive been sitting here hours and can't find the root of this problem...

here's a screenshot

I'd still like to see the whole command line.

Edit: it looks like you have -B 128 in there somewhere... I'm afraid I'm not that up on it to suggest any other factors off the top of my head (without being able to check the command line).

here you go




also what seems a bit odd is that the extraction itself is very fast imo (and im not using burst mode)

It is generally recommended to set the Parameter Passing Scheme to "User Defined Encoder". See the wiki.

With the settings you have I believe the Bitrate dropdown, as Defsac stated, is coming into play. You are therefore probably getting:

--alt-preset standard -B 160

Try changing to "User Defined Encoder" and set your command line to:

--alt-preset standard %s %d

... to start (refer to the wiki for your final settings).

Edit: this thread looks relevant.

Don't you have to choose "User defined encoder" but still point it to the Lame.exe?

And 9.7x doesnt look too fast to me.

edit: beaten up

Are there any pops or clicks in the output mp3?

ok i did as you suggested and still get the same results almost all of the encoding is in 128.

i tried ripping vinyl with wavelab just now and encoded it and i get normal results meaning vbr as it should be so i really dont know what's wrong here.
i looked at the drive options in EAC and can't find anything wrong

no not at all. i tried using different audio cds aswell and always get the same results.

i also noticed that i cant hear the music when i play the cd in EAC..

As you understand German, have a look at this guide:
Audio-CDs rippen mit Exact Audio Copy

first of all thanks for all your replies.after struggling for many hours i think i have found what was causing the trouble.
as i said i tried various cds for extraction+encoding, but it seems that just those cds i tried all showed the same problem when encoding.i finally gave it a last try and guess what, vbr is working with other cds.i'm happy that it works now but i still don't understand what is causing this with certain cds, is it bad mastering?

thanks again

edit:i feel kinda stupid now but this is more then odd don't you think.shame that the ella fitzgerald boxset i have is such poor quality then

Am I right in guessing that --alt-preset standard on 3.90.3 won't drop below 128 other than for silence?

That may explain it in part I guess.

What music would only ever require 128Kbps and below though?

Yup.


Mono, for example (or both channels in a stereo stream containing the same data, eg. quasi mono).

From looking at your screenshot it looks like your lame.exe file isn't located in your EAC folder. I was under the impression that you should always have your external compressor there. I could be wrong, especially since I don't speak German

I mean the lame window from the first screenshot seems to be located in a different spot than what you have selected in your EAC. C:\\programme\Lame3.90.3\lame.exe
(or whatever) and in your browse selection you chose a lame file from your My Documents or whatever that means.

Oh..and just to clarify. Whenever you are using a switch in the additional command line the bitrate drop down is ignored in EAC. So, just by having --alt-preset standard in there that drop down becomes irrelevant.

Good luck figuring this out...because from what I see of your settings there shouldn't be any major problem except what I mentioned.
J

Thanks for the confirm.

Ah, that seems to fit with an Ella Fitzgerald CD...