First, sorry for the large message.

Days ago, some friends were in my home.
I started to play some mp3 files in my computer and they got surprised about the sound quality.
They asked me how can I get that, since my equipment is very simple.
I answered there's nothing special, I'm only using some softwares, some settings and very basic audio
knowledge.

Although most of my friends use computers, they are not interested in audio software, etc.
They just don't have patience to study and test these technical things. They only want to play mp3s without worrying about these things. But they like quality of course.

Well, where's the problem? It's this: they asked me "please, give us a CD with these songs".
It seems very easy: just copying the mp3 files to a CD and giving it to them. But if I do this way, they will not hear that "quality" they liked so much since they don't have the same things I'm using.
Also, I'm sure they will play the CD in many different devices and environments: computers, cars, micro-systems, home theater, etc.

In fact, what I need is to write a CD so that they could enjoy some quality I got without having to set many things in their equipments, adjusting only what is absolutely needed.

First, a description of what I'm using:

1) Computer:

- A basic computer, WinXP, etc., nothing special.

- Creative 5.1 Live sound card.

2) Software:

- Winamp with equalizer on and "Laptop Speakers/Headphone" preset. This preset increases the high frequencies (I think this is called "emphasis") and some low frequencies too. It sounds good for me, although it seems too "strong" and have created some problems with clipping (thanks to people here and MP3Gain forum for the precious help).

- DFX plug-in (registred version) with "Light Processing (Type II)" preset. This plug-in is mandatory in my
opinion to "increase" the mp3 quality.

- Creative Mixer bass and treble settings in 75%.

- Most of the mp3 files were created using EAC and Dibrom's LAME 3.90.2 with --alt-preset-standard.

- MP3Gain/89dB was applied to all files.

3) Audio equipment (very simple):

- A really very old (1982) analogue stereo Sony receiver. Plese, don't laugh at me hehehe. I love it and it's
working perfectly. No ICs, only transistors "touch" the sound hehehe.

- No equalizer, the receiver has only tone controls (bass and treble on max position) and loudness (off).

- Two 3-way speakers, each one with a 10" woofer (I don't like 5.1 and others X.1 systems).

What I plan to do:

1) Convert MP3 -> WAV using Winamp Disk Writer. This will include equalization and DFX effects in files.

2) Re-convert WAV -> MP3 using LAME --alt-preset-standard.

3) Apply MP3Gain/89dB to mp3 files.

4) Copy mp3 files to CDs and give them to my friends (note: not audio CDs, only CDs with mp3 files)

Of course, this process has steps most of you will hate (especially MP3 -> WAV -> MP3 conversion), but I can't find another way to do that. If you know something different, please tell me.

Also, what kind of basic things do I have to ask my friends configure in their equipments so that the CD can
play without serious problems (distortion, clipping, etc.)? Maybe things like turning off equalizer, or tone
controls in neutral position, or turning off loudness, or flat equalization preset, etc. Remember, they will
play in many different devices that I can't imagine.

I think this is also important to people who want to play their mp3 files in many different places (car, work,
hotels, etc.) and would like to get the same characteristcs (or almost) as they get in their computers.

Well, this is the problem I have. Any help or idea will be very precious to me.
Thanks in advance.

They don't want your 'quality', they just want the mp3 files.

Don't make it complicated.

100% Agreed.

You seem to want mp3s with several steps of preprocessing applied

• winamp eq
• dfx plugin
• creative mixer
• (bass/treble on amp)

Those alter the sound irreversibly (and possibly expose mp3 artifacts).

This might sound "better" on some laptop speakers, but I certainly would not want to listen to music that way on a halfway decent system. What you'll get is very unnatural sound. But some people might be impressed by your super bass or so.

For what it's worth, the only processing I recommend for "not so good" speakers is the Enhancer (Winamp DSP plugin). It doesn't clip and is able to "emulate" good sounding speakers on low-end equipment.

Other than that, I agree with the others; you friends simply want the mp3s hehe. I don't have any moral constrains about giving copyrighted work to friends, but I wouldn't post about it on a forum