Does anyone know where I can download the February build of the Nero AAC encoding package? I have mistakenly downloaded the August build and it replaced all my appropriate files for encoding Nero AAC files. I think I have narrowed that down for my proper encoding needs and guru's latest test showed that the February build was better than both the August build of Nero and the somewhat older build of the iTunes AAC encoder.

Edit:

Also, does anyone know how to get dbpoweramp R12.2 to encode using Nero AAC at -q0.4? I have read that I need to get to CLI mode but I don't know how to do that. Any assistance wold be welcomed.

Quick hdd search with Locate and... success
Uploaded here:
http://www.savefile.com/files/1225904

Thanks a lot, I have been looking for it for quite a bit of time. Google wasn't really any help as it kept bringing me back here to posts on HA with nothing mentioning where to get the February build of Nero AAC. I just hope that I/we didn't violate Nero's EULA.

Now just onto getting dbpoweramp R12.2 to encode at -q 0.4. All it gives me are options to encode at -q 0.35 and -q 0.45, I would like to encode at -q0.4 instead.

kornchild,

I think it would be better to use fb2k to encode for that reason. I noticed that same limitation, but I've been too lazy to post it to the dbpoweramp forums.

BTW, are you finding 0.4 transparent? I'm having a really hard time ABXing 0.35.

Of course you did. It only matters if anybody will enforce the EULA rules here.

I actually find -q 0.35 to be transparent but I always encode at the next highest setting just to quiet that little voice in the back of my head. I would use fb2k to rip my CDs but to my knowledge it doesn't support secure ripping like EAC and dbpoweramp.

Ah, yes. I know what you mean. It can't really be transparent at that bitrate can it?

Nowadays, I use dbpoweramp to rip and then bring my flacs into fb2k. Then I set up a custom encoder, right click > convert. With the custom encoder setup in fb2k, you can put any command line you want, so you can specify -q 0.4, or -q 3.5 if you want to save some space.

Ah, yes. I know what you mean. It can't really be transparent at that bitrate can it?

Nowadays, I use dbpoweramp to rip and then bring my flacs into fb2k. Then I set up a custom encoder, right click > convert. With the custom encoder setup in fb2k, you can put any command line you want, so you can specify -q 0.4, or -q 3.5 if you want to save some space.

Thanks for this. I was looking for it for quite a while too, with no luck.

Hope Nero doesn't mind us sharing their encoder - maybe they will turn a blind eye if we let them know of any bugs we find in the newer release, or what the reasons are that we wanted to go back to the old version in the first place.

Just out of curiosity, why were you looking for the February build?

fb2k, EAC and dBpoweramp all rip differently; nevertheless, fb2k is still a secure ripper.
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=58657

I wanted the February build because there are a couple of identified bugs in the August release. Also Guru's own listening test showed that for his ears and music, the older February build was better. Encoding at around 130kbps VBR yielded results that were ranked higher than Lame 3.98 at -V 4 (~160kbps). That is quite a feat given the large 30kbps bitrate difference. I myself just conducted a small ABX test using one track that is a good representation of my music library. I encoded the file using both the February and August build of the Nero AAC encoder. I found that the February build was much harder to ABX at -q0.4 than the August build.

I had the same limitation, but I found a solution investigating dMC program folders. You can easily customize it an add an option to encode at -q 0.40 or whatever you want, without using command line encoders.

1. Locate this file:
C:\Program Files\Illustrate\dBpowerAMP\Compression\Nero Digital Audio (AAC)\options.txt

2. Open it with notepad: you will see lines like
Quality .45 (~ 150 Kbps)
-q .45
and
Quality .35 (~ 100 Kbps)
-q .35

3. Just add the line you need between .35 and .45:
Quality .40 (~ 128 Kbps)
-q .40

4. Save the file.

5. Next time you encode a file to Nero AAC, you will be able to move the slider bar to q 0.40

Thank you for this. I haven't fully converted my lossless library yet. In fact I haven't converted any files as I wanted an automated system. Now my only complain is that Nero AAC files won't work with my Creative Zen which I use for exercising purposes. I may have to sell it if I can't get these files to work. First my Xbox 360 didn't work with Nero AAC files but I have found a way around that but now my Zen won't play them. Hmm... Either Creative needs to come out with a firmware update or I need to ditch this item. I was never warned by Creative that it might not play Nero AAC files.

Hmm... This compatibility issue is with all Nero AAC versions?

I had the same problem regarding iPod shuffle 2nd gen. and Nero 1.1.34.2. But it's solved when using version 1.0.7.0 (or optimizing 1.1.34.2 files with "m4a optimize" option in dBpowerAMP).

I have to optimize the files to get them to work on my Xbox 360. I have tried both the latest August 2007 build of Nero AAC and the older February 2007 build. The strange thing is that by default, all Nero AAC files should already be optimized. I guess the optimize trick works with the Xbox 360 but still nothing for the Creative Zen. I have contacted Creative multiple times and they know the issue is there but there hasn't been a fix for it. My Zen has gone through three firmware updates and still nothing. I have a 16GB iPod touch and 5G 60GB iPod for my main listening needs but I purchased the 4GB Zune for $70 from Wal-Mart back during the holiday season of 2007 as I didn't want to use my expensive players (particularly the touch) while exercising.