How to get 128kbps to 320kbps?

Hello All,

I have a question I've always wondered about.

I can see how an audio converter can change a song with a higher bitrate to a lower bitrate.

But, how can it change a song with a lower bitrate to a higher one?
Like when takng a song of 128kbps to 320kbps. Naturally the 320 will have a larger size, where do the extra bytes come from?

Thanks in Advance

 

What program can do it?

I think it is not even possible... Or it can be, but sound will not be any better.

 

you can re-encode it to a higher bit rate, but the quality of the music will no improve. you can't pull data that's been removed out of the air and have it be there sounding good.

 

OneMember there are tons of programs that can do this.
Just do a Google search for audio encoders.
Personally I use WavePad.

 

it's just expanding on the data that's there, similar to (but not exactly like) blowing up a picture in photoshop.

 

Auslander's correct on this one to be sure. a 128kbps file had lotsa stuff removed, permanently. When you try to get it to 320kbps you're still dealing with the data from the 128kbps file.

 

Here's the thing:

When I rip my CDs to the computer I do it at 320, but if I download a song that claims to be 320, is there anyay of knowing if it actually came from a high quality source or a lower quality bitrate and then converted to 320?

I do not know why anyone would want to do it because it would take up more HDD space or fill up your MP3 player and just sound the same.

 

no way to know; that's the risk you take with downloading.

 

Personally I can't tell the difference between 192 and 320, apart from file size. It's one of those show off things "all my music is 320 or above".. What's the point?. Until you get below 170 there isn't any noticeable difference, and even as low as 44 is acceptable to people who grew up with vinyl.. unless you have exceptional ears, and really high end sound equipment. The human ear isn't exactly a high precision device. The weak links in music have always been the analog devices at either end.. microphones, speakers and ears.....

 

I'm with you janrocks, I can't tell the difference between 128 and 320 either. I rip mine to 16o.

 

I am in the same boat, can´t tell the difference. That is why I use 128 when I rip music.

Also when I listen internet radio I hear no difference...

 

i'd be scared to death of my hearing if i couldn't detect a difference with internet radio. i rip mine at 320 minimum, because i always here a difference. *shrugs*

 

I can definitely tell the difference between internet radio. That's why I never listen to it.

 

i just listen to talk shows. quality doesn't make *as* much of a difference with normal talking voices.

 

yeah conversation doesn't count.

 

come on ye guys are pulling me leg..,ye take a avi file of 25meg and compress it to 4 or 5 meg at 128kbps mpg and it sounds good.
even at 320kbps it does not sound as good as the original avi file

Below is the truest statement i heard in a long time..
mp3 do not have the good quality of the old records.
and i do have a ton of records i put on tape..
and the best part i did not have to use a computer or worry about copy protection...

 

Yeah, I rip music at 128kbps as well. I can't tell the difference between 128 and 320 on my Zune. Especially when I rip music using the LAME MP3 Encoder in EAC. 128 saves me space for more music too.

 

@ ireland.

That is a lovely piece, and explains how I feel about digitised music.
I can hear the difference between some of the great recordings of the 60's on cd or on the original vinyl. It is very apparent with some of the quieter music, Melanie especially. It could be that they were encoded a long time back when the software wasn't as precise.
There are some stunning analog recordings. Find a copy of Jimi Hendrix live. A nice old one on any Ember blue label will knock your socks off.

I agree that we have been robbed of quality and freedom. I'm lucky that when everybody else was dumping the vinyl technology I bought some superb equipment very cheaply.. who wants this old stuff? I do for my large collection of real rare 60's garage and psychedelia.. some are even mono!
Maybe I'm a luddite, but I like my vinyl.

 

@janrocks

I still got all the stuff to play my vinyl. Nothing like the little clicks. Actually got a second Dual 1219 turntable free last year. Cartridges have gotten a little expensive tho. Listening to Close to the Edge-Yes, on Vinyl now.