I've searched and haven't found an answer but why is the default setting of Nero AAC encoder set to 0.5 ? Has this been decided after a debate or discussion, is there a specific reason for this?

It's not really important, just wondering

Maybe it's because q 0.5 is transparent for the average user. Also the Nero devs might have targeted 0.5 to offer equivalent quality or better then LAME -V2 (which is the default VBR setting) and Musepack at --standard.

The one with the most creative answer wins

Judging from your answer at Nero decisions are made randomly

After more than a year playing with Nero's free AAC encoders and ABX-ing some tracks about every month, I rate Nero q 0.5 similar to Lame -V2 or even better in some cases, despite a considerable lower bitrate. Imho q 0.5 is really good.

If one lets A = 0.1, B = 0.2, C = 0.3, etc.,
then A+A+C = 0.5.

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Fantastic!

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Because it's most appropriate. High quality and reasonable size. http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....mp;#entry646564

And look how well Nero AAC performs considering that!

The question was "Why is Nero AAC encoder default set to 0.5 ?"
The question is NOT why does Nero AAC encoder achieve specific quality when -q 0.5 is used.
From the beginning, 0.5 is in direct connection to the specific average bitrate that is achieved when (theoretically) all possible inputs are used. It is not connected with a specific quality. We try to improve, with a new versions, the quality achieved at the same q values, compared to a previous version.

I think -q 0.5 might be a reference to "Is the glass half empty or half full?".

Since the average user will think 0.5 is half full and optimistic about that setting.

While most audiophiles or certain 'advanced' users will think that 0.5 is half empty and pesstimistic about using that setting and go ahead and use q 1.0 instead.

I don't think there is any mystery of q 0.5. It's enough well calculated value based on listening experiences and needs.


There is a joke about optimists, pessimists and third class of people:engineers.
Optimists see half full.
Pessimisits see half empty.
Engineers see that glass has double of optimal size.