I export my MP3 in mono..is that wrong?

[feaker]

After I finish a song, I export it in mp3 format (16bit)and in mono. It's just the way it has worked for me.Should I be exporting in stereo? Are most songs on the forum in stereo?I know you might chuckle with such a basic question, but I really don't know.challangedPaul

[mazz]

Paul,Use stereo for sure. I recommend encoding at 192 Kbps bit rate as well. I know that sounds like a mouthful but your encoder should give you the option on a menu. It offers a good compromise between sound quality and file size.For encoders I prefer iTunes which works on both Windows and Mac.Hope this helps.Mazz

[suzdoyle]

I agree with Mazz. As an added note, many music libraries ask for stereo files at 320 kpbs compression, which is pretty close (according to them) to wav quality.I export all my files first as AIFF (Mac based Wavs) and then via iTunes into 320 kbps (kilobits per second) because it tends to be what is most often requested.Here's a link to a good article that explains data compression:http://www.howstuffworks.com/file-compression.htmThanks to that article, plus having an engineer friend who like to explain these things in simple terms, complete with charts and diagrams, I now think I understand the gist of it:[WARNING: Official NERD-NESS ZONE:]DATA COMPRESSIONRefers to using algorithms to represent data without having every single data point actually present. E.g. an analog audio signal is like water (continuous waves of electrical impulses). When converted into digital format, it becomes like ice -- able to be separated into separate bits of info). Digital data take samples of the electrical charges that create soundwaves in two directions -- horizontally and vertically.If you take 1,000 samples of one sound wave, e.g., you might have 500 vertical samples, each represented by numbers, and the same number of horizontal samples.So your sound wave might look like this numerically:4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 8 7 7 67 6 6 4 3 2 etc.(Ok, this is a very overly simplistic explanation -- but the gist of it is accurate, unless I totally misunderstand it).So when recording/ exporting a file at the highest value, each soundwave would have all the data points (WAV or AIFF file). In the example above, it would include 1,000 numbers that represent the electrical charge behind that particular sound wave.If exporting that sound file with compression (e.g. 128, 192 or 320 kbps), the computer would substitue all 1,000 numbers of the above sound wave with a formula, e.g.:4 (4) 3 (5) 2 (6) etc.in other words, they would say HOW MANY 4s, 5, 6's etc. there are rather than actually including each single numerical data point.The more compression you use, the fewer actual data points, and the lower quality the sound is, as the playback device has to "fill in" places where the numbers actually aren't there.The most important thing to know is that if you export a file compressed to 128, 192 or 320 kbps, and then try to re-save it as a wav file, your data will have artifacts (from the algorithm numbers and formulas), which will cause extra data to interfere with the actual original sound wave data. So that's a big no-no!! It's important to always export at the highest quality for archival purposes, and compress data for particular user requirements, rather than the other way around.Okay, I guess that's enough Nerdiness for tonight. Hope this helps.Oh, wait. Here's a good article that explains sampling rates:http://communication.howstuffworks.com/ ... ital3.htmI like it when they include pictures!! Suz

[anthony34]

Boy, girl, have you learnt some stuff. That's a nice little thread Suz, and it's very nice that you've included links. I'll check this out a bit later. Michael W.

[jazzstan]

So Suz... I've been using an old version of Steinberg WAVES to my MP3s, and it's top end is 128. I have iTunes on my 'general' computer which is connected to the net, but my music computer is NOT connected to the internet (keeping it simple!) ... so my question: how do I get iTunes on a computer that is NOT linked to the net? Is there a downloadable exe file for iTunes? NEXT question...sometimes my cymbals get "phasey' after converted to MP3. I might that some of 'em were 16-bit files (that I brought in to my 24-bit Sonar). I'm guessing the bit resolution changes are causing the phasey sound?

[feaker]

MazzWhen you dive into the unknown, as I did with recording, You are excited that you have seemed to "pull this off" because you think some of your stuff is at least exceptable.You do know down deep that you have just scratched the surface. I am sure glad I asked.I wish I could reciprocate. The only thing i can do on the forums right now is to comment about a song's likeability.ps I tried the settings you suggested on the LA 610 and can see it has a big effect. Need my "singer" to really check it out.Stereo it is from now on.SuzSchool is in session and I immediately have homework:)I do have an encoder, but don't know the origin. Remember downloading it for about $30.I will have to google all this info, I have no clue at all.I have copied this and now have a file for winter to enhance my skills.Just asked one lil question and look at the info that came back. If this was a slot machine in vegas, I could have gone to a show on the buck that I put in:)Used to be slightly embarrased to ask simple questions, but not anymore.Thanks you guys for the kindness, I will pass it around today in a non-musical way.Paul

[mojobone]

@Stan:You could download the exe file, transfer it to a USB thumb drive or burn it to a CD/DVD, but iTunes would still want to connect to the iTunes store before you could use it. The LAME encoder may work with your DAW software or you could check out KVR Audio for links to some good freeware encoders. If you have a handy way to transfer the files, you could jes' import the WAV files to your 'net computer and burn an MP3 disc in iTunes. Maybe your best bet is to download something like Audacity, I'm pretty sure it can output MP3s at higher bit rates.Your "phasey" cymbals are most likely due to the small output file size; try rolling off everything above 10khz before converting-a relatively gentle shelving EQ should be enough to turn the trick. (6Db per octave or less)@all:Not to unnecessarily confuse the issue, but Suz did a pretty fair job of describing 'lossy' data compression: MP3, MiniDisc, Ogg Vorbis and many other data compression schemes are lossy, but there are also a few ways to compress an audio file without losing any data points, such as FLAC. (free lossless audio codec)

[davewalton]

Oct 29, 2008, 2:27am, jazzstan wrote:So Suz... I've been using an old version of Steinberg WAVES to my MP3s, and it's top end is 128. I have iTunes on my 'general' computer which is connected to the net, but my music computer is NOT connected to the internet (keeping it simple!) ... so my question: how do I get iTunes on a computer that is NOT linked to the net? Is there a downloadable exe file for iTunes? NEXT question...sometimes my cymbals get "phasey' after converted to MP3. I might that some of 'em were 16-bit files (that I brought in to my 24-bit Sonar). I'm guessing the bit resolution changes are causing the phasey sound? That's the 128k aspect of MP3. I encode at 192k and all of that goes away. I don't know how much of this has been covered but my "pathway" is:24bit WAV file dithered down to:16bit WAV file converted to:192k MP3 file.

[mrsunshine]

Oct 28, 2008, 11:41pm, suzdoyle wrote:I agree with Mazz. As an added note, many music libraries ask for stereo files at 320 kpbs compression, which is pretty close (according to them) to wav quality.I export all my files first as AIFF (Mac based Wavs) and then via iTunes into 320 kbps (kilobits per second) because it tends to be what is most often requested....Taxi specifies 192 Kbps max for their .mp3 submissions, right?? Chuck

[devin]

@ Stan: I'm using Audacity for encoding chores, as per Mojo's note above...it goes to 320.Mazz helped me with encoding distortion issues when I first joined (my stuff was fizzy). His suggestions worked:- I basically rolled off anything below 20 Hz, to get rid of that energy. - Then I exported my wave files at a -1 dB max. - If I export my wave at 24 bit or 16 bit it doesn't seem to matter after the mp3 encoding process. - I currently save my mp3's at 192, as specified in the Taxi upload guidance ("You are correct Mr. S!!" But you can save to any size if you are hosting yourself and posting on the forum for feedback I guess, maybe? It would cheese people off waiting for the monster download though).- I keep my original waves (I put the date in the name so I had some revision control).HTH...it did for me.