Is lower than 64 kbps MP3 format any good?

I've converted all my iTunes Library to MP3 - 64kbps format. I am very pleased with the quality but was wondering if I go any lower will it sound much worse?
I've got nearly 2,000 songs on my iPod and growing. That's why I've converted my songs to such a low bitrate.
Thanks in advance

For normal music listening, most people view 128 as the lower bound for acceptable audio.  This of course will depend on your ears, your equipment, and the noise level of your surroundings.
For spoken word recordings, 64 or 48 would be fine.
Do not  get into the trap of butchering your music to fit your current iPod.  Use the iPod ability to "sync selected playlists" to put a selection that will fit on the iPod.

Similar Messages

  • Any song with a bitrate lower than 96kbps is "Ineligible"

    But my problem is, I have some about 950 episodes of speech radio series and allmost 70% is bittrate lower than 96kbps and some about 150 lessons of French language also in bitrate lower than 96kbps. I cann't upload these files to iCloud. Convert it to higher bitrate looks very stupid. Any suggestion?

    The generally accepted work-around is to to make an AAC copy within iTunes.   If you wanted to use a third party solution to make MP3 files that comply with the minimum bitrate, you could do that instead.  I imagine the benefit to MP3 would be smaller files.

  • I am trying to copy songs to an sd card for a digital photo frame. I changed my setting in iTunes to mp3 format before I downloaded the song but it didn't work. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions? I would be very grateful!

    I am trying to copy songs to an sd card for a digital photo frame. I changed my settings in iTunes to mp3 format before I downloaded them but it did not work. What am I doing wrong? When I play the sd card in my mac or on a lenovo laptop it works but not in the photo frame. I would be grateful for any ideas as to what I am doing wrong.

    Unfortunately you've discovered too late how important it is to maintain an up-to-date backup of your iTunes library (and all other data of value).  You could, before wiping the drive, have considered making use of a commercial data recovery service that could (albeit at considerable cost) have extracted your library from the hard disk, even if virus infected.
    In the absence of that option, you will need to restore the content of your library from its original sources:
    Depending on your location, you may be able to re-download any iTunes Store purchases that are still available on the Store
    Likewise, most digital purchases from Amazon (including auto-rip copies of purchased CDs) should be available from the Amazon Cloud and via the Amazon Music application - the same may be true of other commercial sources for digital downloads
    Content imported from your CDs will have to imported again
    The specific situation that you describe regarding the music imported from your friend's external HDD suggests that either the source is badly organized and/or originates from a source other than iTunes (other media players may use alternative tags for information like artist, title, album, etc. that are not wholly consistent with how iTunes handle these).  Without details of the issues you're seeing it is difficult to suggest a remedy other than going through the media album-by-album, track-by-track, and correcting the inconsistencies.
    In the absence of a backup or access to the original library data there is no option other than painstakingly recreating your library as described above.  As you do so, you'll now realize how important creating and maintaining backups are - in my case I have at all times three separate duplicates of my library, in two different locations, where none is ever more than a week old compared to the content of my master library.

  • TS4003 if I am running a mac OS x that is lower than 10.7.2, is there any way to publich my iweb site to icloud (I have an iphone that meets the system requirements)?

    if I am running a mac OS x that is lower than 10.7.2, is there any way to publich my iweb site to icloud (I have an iphone that meets the system requirements)? I'm using iWeb 3.0.1 and previously had my website published to mobile me. 

    Welcome to the Apple community.
    Unfortunately, iCloud does not offer equivalents to Mobile Me’s iDisk, Gallery or Web Hosting services. You will need to find a third party solution to replace these services. You might considerDropBox, SugarSync, MediaFire or any other service that offers online storage. (not all these alternatives offer all the services previously provided by iDisk)
    So it won't matter whether you have Snow Leopard or Lion, you will not be able to upload your website to iCloud.

  • 'Joined tracks' not importing from CD in mp3 format. Any ideas? Thanks! (iTunes 10.2.2/Intel Mac)

    Unable to import joined tracks from a CD when iTunes import preferences are set to mp3. Any ideas? Thanks!

    Oops. Never mind. Figured it out.

  • WMA v MP3 format - advice please

    WMA v MP3 format - advice pleaseT I have a Zen Vision M and previously had a Zen Touch.
    I have always used WMA format when ripping CD's as it is the default setting in Media Player, which is my preferred program. The rest of my family have gone over to the "dark side" (!)?and have iPod's and the iPlayer uses MP3 format as its default. My husband who used to have a Zen Touch, is very smug about how much less space what used to almost fill his Zen now takes in his?iPod.
    So, I now have very little room left on my 60 GB and was wondering about converting everything into MP3 format to make more space, but seem to remember being told?once about MP3 format being poorer quality?
    I'd be grateful for any comments/advice on the following:
    - Is converting everything worth the effort and will it actually take less space?
    - Is MP3 better/worse quality, is there any difference anymore?
    - Are MP3 files ok on the Zen?
    - I understand I'll need conversion software - any recommendations?
    Thank you for your help!

    This has been a "raging" discussion for years and years! Here's my take (long time digital music user):
    WMA is far better for low bitrate (under 28kbs). 28 kbs is nowhere near "cd quality" in ANY format (wma, mp3, acc). 92kbs is good quality in all formats. Audiophiles (picky listeners) will insist on Ogg Vorbis (?), Lossless wma, etc. files no matter what. I can't tell the difference between aac, wma or mp3 at 92kbs or above. I listen to compressed files on a portable player or in a car (or worse...on a motorcycle). The background noise is usually enough and earphones/speakers poor enough that it really does not make a huge difference what format (or often what bitrate) you use in these instances.
    Here's what I've been doing; rip to mp3 92kbs VBR--good quality, reasonable file size. Transfer to my Zen(s) using WMP. I set the player options to re-code files to 64kbs wma files for the Zen(s). Max number of songs that way, small file size, good battery life (wma uses more power than mp3 AT THE SAME BITRATE--but at 64kbs is uses LESS power than a higher bitrate mp3--you'll notice longer battery life).
    Many may cringe at my 64kbs wma choice (except Microsoft, who claim this sounds "cd quality" ---NOT). For me, it sounds good enough for a portable copy, but NOT my main copy. WMP will automatically recode these for you on the fly and not clutter up your hard dri've with multiple copies of the same song. It also only puts the 64kps file on your Zen and leaves the better copy (in my case, my 92kbs mp3 file) intact. I now rip to mp3 because it is the defacto default format for everything.
    This is just what I've been doing. I tried a lot of different things before, but my latest system seems to work fine.
    Note: Most of the new "DRM Free" mp3 downloads are 256kbs mp3. They sound great. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference in nearly all cases from a 92kbs mp3 file, but on a good stereo I'm sure there are those who can. I really never listen to mp3 files? on my good stereo. I have REAL cds (and even a bunch of "super audio cds" ) for that.

  • Transferring my music to mp3 format

    Hi Guys
    I really hope everyone does not think im stupid, well i am a little when it comes to technology stuff.
    I have loads of CD,s that i want to put on my iphone, i did this and it seems i will need loads and loads more space,( i dont know anything about the technical terms of iphone memory)
    Someone mentioned to me that if i put allthe music on my itunes library in mp3 format this would give me alot of space. is this correct?
    If so can i please have the step by step (in normal english, not pc terms)
    I would be most grateful if you take the time to help
    regards

    To choose import options:
    Choose iTunes > Preferences, click General, and click Import Settings.
    Choose an encoder from the Import Using pop-up menu. Then choose an import setting using the next pop-up menu. The default setting for the AAC encoder is "iTunes Plus". If you change that to "High quality (128 kbps)" your imports will only use half the space.
    AAC-encoded files rival the quality of audio CDs, and sound as good as or better than MP3 files encoded at the same or even a higher bit rate. For example, a 128 Kbps AAC file should sound as good as or better than a 160 Kbps MP3 file. Because the bit rate is lower, the AAC file will also be smaller than the MP3 file. AAC files enable you to store the most music on your hard disk or iPod.
    This article will show you how to convert music you have already imported: iTunes Conversions, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1550

  • What is the last itunes version to keep Mp3 format

    I am using Itunes in Panther with an old Tangerine G3 laptop. I need to use songs in Mp3 format to import into slideshows. I was running Itunes 7.7, but found my music trapped in Mp4 and most music could not be converted to Mp3. I downgraded to itunes 4 to keep Mp3 format. Now I can't connect to the itunes store. What is the latest version of itunes that can connect to the store and still keep Mp3 format?
    I asked on the Panther board. They sent me here.

    The version of iTunes you have has nothing to do with the format of songs from the iTunes Music Store. None of the songs from the iTunes Store are in MP3 format, the store has only ever sold songs in AAC (MP4) format. The standard 128 kbps songs from the store are protected ACC and cannot be converted, all you can do with standard songs is burn them to audio CD which you can use like any other CD you have. If you need songs that can be converted then you need to be sure and purchase iTunes Plus songs (they have a little plus sign beside the price). If you want any songs you import from CD etc, to be in MP3 format then adjust your import settings accordingly. In iTunes 7 go to iTunes>Preferences>Advanced>Importing and choose MP3 as the format you require. When you want to convert a song the conversion command in the Advanced menu on the Finder bar and be labelled "Convert Selection to MP3". You can also purchase songs from other stores such as Amazon who sell unprotected MP3s which can be played in iTunes and used in other programs..

  • No mp3 format to save to

    Well, that's partially true.  I usually save my file in the mp3 format, but my problem is that all that shows up is mp3 PRO.  From what I understand, the mp3 PRO takes up less space than a normal mp3 file...but the problem I've run in to on countless occasions is that the mp3 PRO files won't play.  Let me explain....
    I used to work at a radio station and would record commercial spots through my Audition 1.5 program.  I would save them as mp3 PRO and put them into our system, and also sometimes burn a copy onto a CD for the customer.  The spot would play fine through our broadcast system....but the customer couldn't get the spot to play on the CD that I had burned for them.  I ran it through another file converter program, saved as an mp3 and reburned the CD....works just fine.
    Here is another example... I was recently auditioning for a job at another radio station.  I created my aircheck through Adobe Audition 1.5, saved as mp3 PRO and emailed it to the station.  They were not able to listen to it on their computer.  I used a different program to re-save the file as an actual mp3, resent it to the station....now they have no problem hearing it.
    I read another post where someone said that they had the mp3 option on their "save as" list, but that they couldn't click on it, or something.  I don't even have that option on my list! Is there a way to get that on there?   Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, especially since I am looking to get into some voice work and really need to be able to save as a straight mp3.
    Thanks for the help,

    MaverickDJ wrote:
    I usually save my file in the mp3 format, but my problem is that all that shows up is mp3 PRO. 
    That's the only option you get. But if you select it as a file type, and then click on 'options' below it you get the control panel which will let you select the bit rate, and exactly what type of MP3 or MP3Pro you save.

  • Trouble converting downloaded m4a files to mp3 format

    This has never happened to me before. I downloaded a full album and 3 of the 13 songs get an error saying "the file format is not valid" when I try to convert the files to mp3 format. How do I go about fixing this?

    +if I do that, it will create the MP3 files all in the same iTunes Music folder as the AAC files,+
    Yes, if the AACs are by artist/album
    +and worse, it will probably duplicate each song in the playlist.+
    No, the conversion process does not touch any playlists.
    +The only thing I can think of is to either (A) have a blowaway copy of iTunes on the Windows PC, copy all the AAC files to it, import them, and convert them, or (B) allow my real iTunes to duplicate them all, make the MP3 CDs, sort by create date or file type, and delete the MP3 duplicates from the library.+
    B sounds easier than A. You can also consider doing the conversions with a non-iTunes program such as Switch, which allows you to specify the destination folder for the new file.

  • Can't rip to MP3 format using Creative Audio CD Rip

    ALL the documentation says I can choose a format besides WMA. Except when I get to the dialogue box where I can change settings, Creative provides me a LINK that "explains MP3 formats."
    And what does clicking that link get me
    "You have reached an outdated page."
    Okay, the honeymoon's over.
    Documentation is just downright bad, support is minimal (I mean, really, EMAIL ), and some things that should be simple and intuiti've (like ripping a CD track to MP3 format) just aren't. This is my first, last, and ONLY Creative product I'm throwing any money at. When this things dies, I'm just getting a Sansa. My last Sansa, though a mere 52MB, had REAL documentation and did everything it was supposed to without forcing me to follow dead links or send emails! Switching brands was a huge mistake - one I won't make again.

    hey, r u using creative mediasource 5 on vista i'm using that software 2 n my prob is juz the same like urs.. plus, i couldnt record sound using other sources except for the microphone. i got the software when i bought the zen nano plus. b4 diz, i used an older version of mediasource. i got it when i bought the muvo n200 n used it on xp desktop n it functions well. i could record sound using other sources than microphone n i could rip musics 2 mp3 format. 2 days ago, i uninstalled the creative mdsource 5 n installd the older mdiasource on my vista laptop n i encountered the recording prob, which is i there is no choice of recording source.. fyi, i'm using a compaq presario c700 with vista home basic 32 bit, n pentium dual core. someone, pls help me..

  • MP3 Format

    I'm new to this site and thought it was the best way to download just the songs that I want without having to pay a monthly fee. My problem is that the songs I've purchased will not convert to an MP3 format. I get a message that says they are "protected". What is that about and is there a way to convert to MP3 that I'm missing? I'm not a real computer whiz and I've tried switching the encoding, but still will not convert.
    Tech support is a joke. No phone support and no straight email address to ask a straight forward question.
    Can anyone help?
    Frustrated in Maryland

    Dave52 wrote:
    The iTunes Store website states that the songs will work in other devices and NOWHERE does it state that there songs will not work in MP3's or that they are unable to be reformatted.
    Actually, they do. Whether you read it or not is another issue. From the Terms of Service for the iTunes Store:
    +Use of Products. You acknowledge that Products (other than the iTunes Plus Products) contain security technology that limits your usage of Products to the following Usage Rules, and, whether or not Products are limited by security technology, you agree to use Products in compliance with the applicable Usage Rules.+
    +Usage Rules+
    +(i) Your use of the Products is conditioned upon your prior acceptance of the terms of this Agreement.+
    +(ii) You shall be authorized to use the Products only for personal, noncommercial use.+
    +(iii) You shall be authorized to use the Products on five Apple-authorized devices at any time.+
    +(iv) You shall be able to store Products from up to five different Accounts on certain devices, such as an iPod or iPhone, at a time; provided that each iPhone may sync ring tone Products with only a single Apple-authorized device at a time, and that syncing an iPhone with another Apple-authorized device will cause any ring tone Products stored on such iPhone to be erased and, if you so choose, to be replaced with any ring tone Products stored on such other Apple-authorized device.+
    +(v) You shall be authorized to burn an audio playlist up to seven times.+
    +(vi) You shall not be entitled to burn Video Products or ring tone Products.+
    +(vii) You shall be entitled to export, burn (if applicable) or copy Products solely for personal, noncommercial use.+
    Remember, you can burn your audio purchases to an Audio CD.

  • What is the difference between mp3 format and mp4a format?

    I downloaded all my cds and the files are in mp4a format. This seems to be the default.
    Is there any difference between this format and mp3?
    Will I have problems in the future playing my music?
    Will I have to download my cds again in mp3 formatr?
    Please help!
    Pat
    PC   Windows XP  

    Both are a Lossy compression.
    You lose some of the information when you convert to this format from the original.
    Both are very close to the same size when converted at the same bit rate.
    A file converted to MP4 at 128 kbps will sound at least as good as the same file converted to MP3 at 160 kbps. This results in smaller file sizes with better quality.
    Will I have problems in the future playing my music?
    Probably not. Depends on what you want to play them on.
    Will I have to download my cds again in mp3 format?
    Again, it depends on what you want to play them on.
    If you are using something which will not read MP4 you may want to convert them.

  • Windows 7's Infection Rates Five Times Lower Than Windows XP

    "Windows 7's marketshare continues to grow at a steady pace at the expense of its two older siblings, Windows Vista and XP, according to the data from StatCounter. In terms of global usage, Windows XP is at 46.44%, Windows Vista at 12.5%, and Windows 7 at 32.64%. Good news for everyone, right? Well, if these adoption numbers aren't convincing enough, perhaps this might convince you (or your technologically challenged peers) - Windows 7 has the lowest infection rates per quarter amongst Microsoft's currently supported operating systems."
    Complete Article:
    http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-7s-infection-rates-five-times-lower-than-windows-xp
    From Microsoft's Security Intelligence Report here:
    http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/0/5/605BE103-9429-4493-898B-E3D50AB68236/Microsoft_Security...
    ThinkPad: T530 / X1 Gen 2 / Helix - Yoga: Tablet 2 Pro (Win) / Yoga 3 Pro
    If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please click the "Accept As Solution" button.
    Lenovo Advocate ~ I am not employed by Lenovo or Microsoft. I am a volunteer.
    Microsoft MVP - Consumer Security
    SpywareHammer

    Hmmm hard to say. If I was going to take a stab at it you might be hitting a DC in a remote site. 
    http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2011/12/26/in-search-of-roaming-active-directory-clients-how-to-scriptomatically-identify-missing-active-directory-subnet-definitions.aspx
    A great tool for this, http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2012/06/09/slow-boot-slow-logon-sbsl-a-tool-called-xperf-and-links-you-need-to-read.aspx
    You could also take a look at this. http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/03/12/slow-boot-slow-login-sbsl-hotfix-rollup-for-windows-7-and-server-2008-r2-available-today.aspx
    Mark Morowczynski
    Microsoft Senior Platforms PFE
    Blog:
    http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat  Twitter:
    Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

  • New Infinity 2 installation - speed lower than exp...

    Hi
    I switched across from O2/Sky ADSL to Infinity 2 on 27 March. BT estimated the DL speed range for my line as 47-65Mbps.
    The Openreach chap (contractor) was reluctant to change the faceplate because I already have an ADLSNation XTE-2005 filtered faceplate and it was proving a little tough to remove. He said this would probably be ok as it's 'fairly modern'.  Muttered something about it delaying his next job.
    I've read various comments about the compatibility of the XTE-2005 faceplate for vDSL.  
    He went away to do the cabinet stuff and returned to hook up the Homehub 5. While waiting for the hub to boot up I asked what speed he'd got at the cabinet. Blank stare. Oh, he said, I just check it on my iphone! Anyway, he did this and got a speed of around 31Mbps, less than expected but not a very good test over wireless. Thought it might pick over the next couple of days.
    Now, I thought that initial line training period is 10 days, but the HH5 booklet talks about the line settling after 3 days. Which is right?
    After  5 days, I've re-synced twice since installation and the BTW speed tester now shows the DL has crept up to 33.39 with an IP profile of 34.28. Obviously still nowhere near even the lower end of the range they estimated.
    So ... do I need to wait for the full 10 days before complaining and/or mucking about with testing via the test socket etc ?  I feel if I was going to get anywhere near the estimated speed range, I'd have got there by now.
    I stupidly expected the Openreach engineer to check the speed at the cab and compare it with the speed at my faceplate to make sure I'm getting the best possible speed. Maybe this investigation needs to be done properly now. 
    I'm about 200 yards from the cab and my line quality may not be great. If they test properly and this is all I can get, then  fine, but I'm not prepared to pay for Infinity 2 when I'm not even getting Infinity 1 speeds.
    Any advice welcome. Many thanks.
    Ian.

    Here they are:
    1. Product name:
    BT Home Hub
    2. Serial number:
    +068343+NQ40608284
    3. Firmware version:
    Software version 4.7.5.1.83.8.173.1.6 (Type A) Last updated 28/03/14
    4. Board version:
    BT Hub 5A
    5. VDSL uptime:
    1 days, 10:12:03
    6. Data rate:
    7708 / 35413
    7. Maximum data rate:
    6552 / 33261
    8. Noise margin:
    4.5 / 4.8
    9. Line attenuation:
    0.0 / 20.5
    10. Signal attenuation:
    0.0 / 17.9
    11. Data sent/received:
    285.7 MB / 1.2 GB
    12. Broadband username:
    [email protected]

Maybe you are looking for