I noticed that there is a new Lame version out. I currently use 3.93.1 and I'm about to encode a big batch of MP3s in 320 kbps, CBR highest quality settings . (if WAV files would have ID3 Tags, I wouldn't bother with all this) Which version is preferable? Stable and tested? I'm sort of surprised that the ExactAudioCopy Bundle v1.0 should include 3.90.3 http://www.digital-inn.de/showthread.php?t=24120&highlight=lame What do you think I should use? Please let me know!!!
3.90.3 is mature. Extensive testing has been performed on this version (especially for --alt-preset standard and higher quality settings). 3.93.1 shouldn't change much about quality theoretically, but isn't tested. 3.95.1 is final and there are many quality-related changes. From the few serious tests that have been performed (at Hydrogenaudio) it seems like it performs slightly worse on pre-echo problem samples at --preset standard and higher, on other isolated problems like "fatboy" sample it's better. IMO it's impossible to draw an overall conclusion right now - besides that you're on the safe side with 3.90.3.
Thanks for your reply! I've noticed that even the "--alt-preset" options will only use a Q setting of 2 or 3 with lame, instead of Q setting of 0. I've tested this with 93, and 95. And what are "pre-echo problem"? I've searched the forums but found not matches... So, I guess the recommended step for me to take is using the 3.90.3 instead of the .93.1 I've been using since now? Thanks!
IIRC, during development/quality tuning (= 1000s of hours spent on listening tests) of the --alt-presets, usage of q2/3 gave best results. -q 0 is experimental and broken (see JohnV's post in this thread - 'takehiro' is a LAME developer BTW): http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?showtopic=8452&hl= With -q 1 there are similar issues AFAIK, but can't find any info about it quickly right now. If you want to know, do a search on hydrogenaudio yourself. Pre-echo is smearing of transients, e.g. percussion with strong hits being less sharp. If you want to hear it yourself, check out the "castanets" sample from here: http://www.ff123.net/training/training.html
Wow. Thanks for the link. That really clears it up... I guess I'll be using presets in Lame if I will continue using MP3s at all*, and the 3.90.3 version. Thanks! * (I might switch over to FLAC) Hmm. I I'd be working on my damn paper if the server wouldn't have crashed again... Have you had any experiences with Flac? I kow that I'll have a slight headache making my portable creative mp3 players (HDD based) play them. RedChair Software seems to have thrown in "AudioMorph: Freedom of Format!" in their HDD packages. Eg. for the Nomad: http://www.redchairsoftware.com/notmad/featjb.php Maybe they can read FLAC, and if not, I can ask them to add suppoort... Thanks so much again! Now I definately know which version to use! BK
