-V2 --vbr-new seems to be a very highly recommended command for transparency for lame 3.97.

will adding -q0 to that command do anything for helping the quality? the -h command is automatically included with the --vbr command correct? -h is the same as -q2 right?

thank you very much for your help : )

-V 2 --vbr-new -q 0, -q 1, -q 2, and -q 3 result in identical files (except for the qval-value which is stored in the LAME header).

You can verify this with foobar2000's Binary Comparator component:

thank you!

so i SHOULD use at least some sort of -q value, or NOT use -q at all? you said that -q0 through 3 result in identical files, but is it still a good idea to at least use some sort of -q value AT ALL instead of not using it?

thank you again.

If you use a preset, like -V2, -q is set automatically, according to the preset. Just leave it alone.