ITunes 5 MP3 encoding quality

I publish a podcast, and I just switched to iTunes 5 last week. I'm having a bit of a problem ripping our podcast to mp3. I used to encode from AIFF to MP3 at 64kbps CBR 22.050khz, and it sounded okay for our show (mostly talk with some music breaks). But after upgrading to iTunes 5 using the same settings there are noticeable compression artifacts and it sound very "tinny." I've resorted to encoding at 96kbps to correct the issue, but the file sizes are larger than in the past.
Has anyone else noticed this? And, does anyone know if Apple has possibly switched to a different compression algorithm?
Thanks in advance,
Neil
Borderline podcast
www.bdline.net

The sound quality depends on the preferences you have set in your iTunes program. With the import preferences you determine wheter the songs are imported as mp3, wav, aac, aiff. So if your prefs are set to mp3 128 k for example you will of course import poor sound quality.
Message was edited by: Sampleconstruct

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ITunes 8 MP3 encoder produces different bitstreams under XP and Vista

Hello!
While organizing a new listening test for MP3 encoders at ~128 kbps VBR, I came across a significant problem in iTunes 8 and maybe older versions as well.
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Sebastian Mares
PS: Can anyone tell me where I can file bug reports to Apple?

Sebastian Mares wrote:
PS: Can anyone tell me where I can file bug reports to Apple?
At the iTunes feedback page.
By the way, iTunes is famous for having one of the worst MP3 encoders.

MP3 Encoder Import Bitrate is not saved by ITunes

Hi!
The importing bit rate for the MP3 Encoder is not saved by ITunes.
This is obviously a bug only present in combination with special software / hardware, since several people have already have posted this problem on this forum.
I am running
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on a
HP Pavilion zd8000.
What I need to know is where these settings are stored, so that I can edit them directly to resolve the problem.
If this is not possible, how can I debug to find out what is going on?
I have reinstalled several times, and the system is not behaving consistently. I have played with different versions of ITunes. I have removed all ITunes entries in the registry between installations. I have succeeded in solving the problem, but it has reoccured.
Please advice.
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Vidar
email: [email protected]

I solved the problem.
ITunes preferences are stored in a hidden directory here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Programdata\Apple Computer\ITunes\iTunes.pref
(Programdata might be called something else in the English version of XP, I have the Norwegian version...)
Close ITunes.
Open this file in a text editor that can handle binary files, for example Textpad (www.textpad.com).
Remove the two lines starting with keys
iTunes.exe:MP3 Encoder:Custom
iTunes.exe:MP3 Encoder
Start ITunes. Set your desired import bitrate.
It should now be saved - and be picked up again next time you open your preferences.
Actually it was saved all the time, but something corrupts this file disabling ITunes from picking up the correct mp3 encoder settings. I guess the 160kb/s setting is the default showing up when no settings are present.
Hope this works for others having this problem as well!
Regards,
Vidar

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Whenever I encode songs, I do so in mp3 format (very universal). I encode at 256 kpbs. However, one time I accidently did a 192 kbps encoding, but it sounded like a 112 kbps endcoding. Then I did a 112 kbps, and I was right. Then I brough up Nero so I could view the frequency range. it was worse than the 112 kbps... what is up with that. it cut off at about 12 khz on 192.... it cut off at about 12.5 or 13 khz with 112. Then I did a 256 encoding of the same song, and it cut off at about 15khz, which was about 128 kbps normally. Then I looked at previously encoded songs using this same iTunes that I just did (6.0.2.23), and at 256 they were fine, were normal. I did that one about 2 days ago. Then I viewed songs i imported yesterday. It had those bad effect tat it does now, cutting off at 16 khz and sounding like a 128 - 160 kbps. This has NEVER happened to me before on any otehr iTunes. I was wondering if this was a glitch or is fixed in the new 6.0.3 one that was released about 3 days ago. Thanks. I appreciate any feedback.
ROB C

I solved the problem.
ITunes preferences are stored in a hidden directory here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Programdata\Apple Computer\ITunes\iTunes.pref
(Programdata might be called something else in the English version of XP, I have the Norwegian version...)
Close ITunes.
Open this file in a text editor that can handle binary files, for example Textpad (www.textpad.com).
Remove the two lines starting with keys
iTunes.exe:MP3 Encoder:Custom
iTunes.exe:MP3 Encoder
Start ITunes. Set your desired import bitrate.
It should now be saved - and be picked up again next time you open your preferences.
Actually it was saved all the time, but something corrupts this file disabling ITunes from picking up the correct mp3 encoder settings. I guess the 160kb/s setting is the default showing up when no settings are present.
Hope this works for others having this problem as well!
Regards,
Vidar

Wave Stuido 6.0 - MP3 encoder

I have Creative Wave Studio 6.20.4 with MP3 encoder and Wave Studio 7. without MP3 encoder.
I don't recall if WS 6.20.4 came with the MP3 encoder or if I upgraded it to include the MP3 encoder. I don't seem to find anything on my system about upgrading WS 6.20.4 to include MP3, so what I'm asking is if WS version 6.xx came with a MP3 encoder or it that was an extra cost item, before I go nuts trying to find upgrade info (like a key) that doesn't exist because it was part of the standard Wave Studio 6.xx and not a upgrade.

I solved the problem.
ITunes preferences are stored in a hidden directory here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Programdata\Apple Computer\ITunes\iTunes.pref
(Programdata might be called something else in the English version of XP, I have the Norwegian version...)
Close ITunes.
Open this file in a text editor that can handle binary files, for example Textpad (www.textpad.com).
Remove the two lines starting with keys
iTunes.exe:MP3 Encoder:Custom
iTunes.exe:MP3 Encoder
Start ITunes. Set your desired import bitrate.
It should now be saved - and be picked up again next time you open your preferences.
Actually it was saved all the time, but something corrupts this file disabling ITunes from picking up the correct mp3 encoder settings. I guess the 160kb/s setting is the default showing up when no settings are present.
Hope this works for others having this problem as well!
Regards,
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ITunes 11 MP3/320 - Joint or normal stereo for best quality ? Thanks!

iTunes 11 encoding MP3 @ 320 - Joint or normal stereo for best quality ? Thanks!

OK, I digged a bit deeper.......
Apparently, the common LAME MP3 encoder uses JOINT mode throughout bitrates ...... ( have a look at the wikipedia pages for MP3/joint stereo)
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The iTunes encoders algorithms are unknown, thus we need Apple to help with this issue.
If "normal" = separate stereo, i.e. separate encoding of the left and right audio channel, then there might be rather a quality loss despite high bitrates and large files, because that would mean using 160kbps/channel only , as MP3s are limited to 320.
Until Apple does not specify and explain this in detail, I myself will no longer use iTunes for encoding.
( @keeferaf, many thanks, in "userdefined-MP3-encoding" you can select those values )

I am trying to create mp3 version of itune songs. I have gone through the preference sequence to be mp3 encoder but this is not having any effect. I have also tired from file tab to create a version but this is not available to action

I am trying to create mp3 version of itune songs. I have gone through the preference sequence to be mp3 encoder but this is not having any effect. I have also tired from file tab to create a version but this is not available to action showing as lite grey.
Any help would be appreciated

I am trying to create mp3 version of itune songs. I have gone through the preference sequence to be mp3 encoder but this is not having any effect. I have also tired from file tab to create a version but this is not available to action showing as lite grey.
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Logic/iTunes MP3 Encoder & Soundcheck Phenomenon

I'm noticing something weird happening when listening to either the CDs I import or the tracks I bounce from Logic on my iPod when soundcheck is enabled.
When I directly choose a song to listen to, the volume is decreased a whole lot, but if I choose the immediately previous song and click "next" or "skip track" into the song, it'll be blasting very loud. If I click "previous track" from the next song into it, it'll still play very soft. Now, I'm wondering why this is happening only with my iTunes imports and my bounces from Logic and not other tracks. They play loud and fine everywhere else (CDs, web players, etc). Is it a setting in Apple's Mp3 encoder? Can anyone help me understand what's going on with what seems to be sorcery? Thanks.

the only thing I can think of is the clicking "next" or "skip track" skips the ID3 tag for some reason, perhaps clicking skip or next purposely does not read from the beginning of the file so as to avoid a click or pop.
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Can someone provide me with or point me to a good explanation of various sound file types and settings and how it relates to sound quality and disk space? I've been importing tunes, recording some streams etc. and I realize I need a definitive source to explain to me how I can get the best sound quality, with all the variables involved: bit rate (64, 96, 128kbps etc.), file type (AIFF, WAV, MPs etc.), MP3 encoder (Apple lossless, AIFF, AAC etc.) Thanks in advance.....

OK. The following is my opinion.
iTunes supports 5 formats. WAV and AIFF are uncompressed and lossless. Apple Lossless Encoding (ALE) is compressed and lossless. MP3 and AAC are compressed and lossy.
WAV, AIFF, and ALE give the same quality as a CD but are too bulky for use in an iPod. The practical choices are MP3 and AAC.
AAC gives better quality for a given bit rate. However, it is not as widely supported as MP3. Many non-Apple players cannot handle AAC. So choose between MP3 and AAC accordingly.
Both AAC and MP3 allow you to select an encoding bit rate, usually in the range of 32 to 320 kb/s. That number affects the audio fidelity of the compressed file as compared with the CD quality original. Given that you will be using a good stereo at least part of the time, I suggest go no lower than 192.
You can do a web search and find listening tests, etc. You can also take a couple of tracks, rip them at 192, 256, and 320, and see if you notice anything better with the higher numbers.
Enjoy the music!

Help - iTunes Converting mp3s automatically into VBR - Low Bitrate?

Hi Forum Members: New kid on the block. I've been very lucky not to have too many problems with iTunes.
I just placed several mp3s into iTunes via the folders/file selection. For some unknown reason it converted all those mp3s into VBR mp3s with a lower bitrate.
There is nothing unusual about these mp3s. Their bitrate is mixed at around 196 kbps to 256 kpbs.
I didn't use Import or ask iTunes to convert?
Any clues as to what is going on? Or how to fix the problem.
Thanks, katydidit

Hello CasperGemini:
In answer to your first question, no it didn't ask me?
My Preferences > Advanced Tab > mp3 encoder, good quality, 128 kbps
With iTunes changing the format to 114 kbps(VBR) at 44.100 KHz is quite close to the 128 kbps, however, it's rather odd that it would do it without asking (as you mentioned).
My idea was to keep the files at their existing kbps per second and then convert within iTunes using the "right-click" option.
I've also had problems with iTunes converting on import. If I take files/folder from my computer (not CD - already on system) and bring them into iTunes via the Import method (I've specified the importing size, etc.) it doesn't convert them to the specified encoding, e.g. m4a to mp3?? I end having to convert within iTunes (right-click).

Convert to MP3 (sound quality)?

I have two questions about converting Itunes files to MP3s, but I will include the Itunes instruction here, so you'll know what I'm referencing. I have an Imac with OS 10.7.4 and here are the instructions (italicized):
You can convert a song to a different file format (and keep a copy of the original). For example, you can save a copy of a compressed song file such as MP3 or AAC in an uncompressed song format (AIFF or WAV).
When converting from a compressed to uncompressed file format (for example, from MP3 to AIFF), you shouldn’t notice any reduction in sound quality. However, when converting between compressed formats (for example, MP3 and AAC), you may notice a reduction in the sound quality. For the best results, if you want your music encoded in a different file format, import the music again from the original source using the new encoding format.
Important: You can’t convert iTunes Store purchases unless they’re iTunes Plus songs.
HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS:
1. What type of file type is an Itunes music file? Is it compressed?
2. Will I lose sound quality if I convert an Itunes music file to MP3 in order to move it over to a Garmin GPS (which supports only MP3s) and therefore would it be best to follow their instructions to reimport my music using an MP3 encode?
Thank you in advance!

1. What type of file type is an Itunes music file? Is it compressed?
If it is something you bought from the iTunes Store it is 256k AAC compressed. If it is something you imported from another source such as a CD then the format will depend upon what settings you used. Get information on a track in iTunes and see what "kind" the file is.
2. Will I lose sound quality if I convert an Itunes music file to MP3 in order to move it over to a Garmin GPS (which supports only MP3s) and therefore would it be best to follow their instructions to reimport my music using an MP3 encode?
Technically, yes, you will lose sound quality in any conversion to compressed with each conversion you do (a photocopy of a photocopy...). Whether or not you notice the quality difference is really an individual thing. Technically if you have an audio CD you imported into AAC and now want it as mp3 then you will get better quality by re-importing from the CD as mp3. I have in a few cases exported from other formats to mp3 and not noticed a quality difference, but then I don't have $200 speakers attached to my computer, nor the ears to appreciate them.

Can You Convert (on a Mac) Purchased ITunes to Mp3?

I have a Sansa Clip, not an IPod. Do I have to go to a PC to access and convert the ITune purchases, or can I do it from a Macbook? Thank you.

Look at how the file is decribed in the 'Kind' column. If it is a 'Purchased AAC' file you can convert it to MP3 in iTunes. If it is a 'Protected AAC' file you can't convert it to MP3 in anything.
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Then in your music library in iTunes, select the file(s) concerned and go to menu File>Create new Version>Create MP3 version (iTunes 11) or from the 'Advanced' menu choose 'Create MP3 version (earlier iTunes versions).
A copy will be placed in the Library. You can drag this to the Desktop or a folder in the Finder, and then delete the copy in iTunes.

MP3 encoder VBR Options doesn't work anymore

Hi everyone !
I always used iTunes mp3 encoder to rip my CD's with the VBR option ON and it worked fine until now.
Indeed since 10.3 the VBR option doesn't seem to be working no more : the output is a CBR mp3 file either I tick or not the VBR option box !
Does anyone have the same problem ? Is there a way to solve this issue ?
Thank you

We can't know. You have not provided any system info or other useful technical details.
Mylenium

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I have been using itunes to encode audio recordings to mp3 for years but recently I have started to get artifacts appearing in the recordings. It looks like it is some kind of cross talk from one channel to the other (eg left to right) If there is speech on the left channel there is some faint twittering on the right. In the aiff version there is nothing, the twittering only appears after encoding to mp3. I usually encode to 128Kbps stereo. Any ideas on what is happening?

Is this truly something that has suddenly started happening or have you just started listening to tracks with true stereo isolation? Very few stereo recordings truly have all of one signal coming through one channel an nothing through the other.
In the mp3 encoder settings try toggling between joint stereo and normal. Part of mp3 space saving assumes that much of what is coming out one channel is similar to the what is coming out the other. It is redundant to preserve this separately so channels share some audio signal which can be stored jointly. I have zero familiarity with the encoding but am throwing out the suggestion that maybe in the case where you really have complete channel separation perhaps this joint method is allowing something to leak through to the other since it works on the principal that both channels do have similar information. "Normal" stores the two channels separately but also takes up more room because of redundant information storage.

Cannot change settings from AAC to MP3 encoder although able to do so on another computer

I am frustrated as I am able to change my settings on ITunes 10 on my desktop computer, but when I downloaded ITunes10 on my notebook, I was not able to change the same settings from AAC to MP3 encoder although I clicked ok. It keeps reverting to AAC, and I am not able to rightclick my music file, as I can do on my desktop, to create a smaller mp3....
I also noticed that other checkmarks, i.e. checking "podcast" under general preferences under source revert back to unchecked when I get out.
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andreafromspringfield gardens wrote:
And what does "in the Enterprise" mean?
In a school / business / corporate environment. Used for a large deployement of iPads.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/enterprise/

ITunes 5 MP3 encoding quality

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