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Hi, sometimes when making an SGU backing track it comes out just right, I want to make it into an mp3 so it can go straight to my ipad.
Until now, I've always rendered as a wav and then used my old Adobe Audition 1.5 to make it into a 320 mp3.
BUT - it seems that I can use BB to do it - EXCEPT that the conversion rate is pathetic - 56kps at best. I'm sure I saw someone on here saying that he can convert in BB and gets 320. How do I do this please?

Ian


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DO NOT.... use the BB conversion thing.... That is so freaking confusing....

I use a third party editor/converter called WAVEPAD.... it's free and works great.... It's by NCH.

It offers the sample rates.... and I always use 320kbs for MP3 conversion.... regardless what the website or host calls for.


An easier conversion window should be on the wishlist page....


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Originally Posted By: sixchannel
I'm sure I saw someone on here saying that he can convert in BB and gets 320.
T'wasn't me saying that. Yet on checking here I do get a smorgasbord of choices wrt sampling rates - way more than depicted in the original poster's dialogs; in particular I do get the option of 320 here. Not sure why your system behaves differently.


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To get the higher conversion rates, you have to install a different codec into Windows. The Windows built in Fraunhofer codec is limited to 56k. I think you can buy an unlocked version to get higher rates, or you can also install the LAME ACM (not the standalone version), which provides information to the registry in order to create MP3s at higher bit rates. This is a Windows issue, not a BIAB issue. Just like the default sound source is the Microsoft midi synth, which doesn't sound very good (for which the Coyote you get with BIAB is just a wrapper), you have to go elsewhere for a decent synth.


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))) Hi, sometimes when making an SGU backing track it comes out just right, I want to make it into an mp3 so it can go straight to my ipad.

Your PC likely doesn't have the audio codecs available. Some versions of Windows do and some don't.

A better approach might be to make m4a files instead. These are more native to the iPad anyway, since Apple uses them for iTunes. M4a is the same thing as mp4, which is the successor to MP3., reportedly better quality.


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I use CDex to convert WAV to high quality mp3 files. I've done a lot of experimenting and found I like the way that one sounded best.

Of course, better ones may have come along since then but at 320 I can't tell the difference between a WAV and the mp3 on my high-end but not quite audiophile equipment.

It's open-source, freeware, and you can get it at the source forge site.

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To JFord

I downloaded the Lame ACM zip file. There's an INI file (no EXE). Should I create a LAME folder in Windows before installing the INI file?

Thanks


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The poor conversion rates for MP3 encoding you experience comes from the fact that Windows Media Player nowadays by default only enables the "advanced" fraunhofer MP3 encoder, instead of the "professional" encoder. Both these encoders are actually installed with Windows Media Player, however, and the professional encoder may be activated by just tweaking the registry (if you google for it, you'll find several guides on how to do it, I followed the instructions here with good results: http://www.komeil.com/blog/enable-fraunhofer-mp3-l3codecp-acm-windows).

An alternative, at least in theory, is to install and use the LAME mp3 encoder instead. I tried that first, but never got it to work correctly with BIAB.

Good luck!

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DEddy -

I'll have to look tonight when I get home as to exactly how to install it. It seems I've got some notes.

Yours will be a little different than mine, since you're on 32-bit and I'm on 64-bit.

I'll let you know.


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Every time this subject comes up I'll give the same advice. Forget MP3 and use WMA unless there's some specific reason you just have to use it. I know some cloud sites will only accept MP3 but for the vast majority of the time you don't need it. There's even apps for IOS that lets you play WMA's. Still if you have to have MP3, here's an interesting converter:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/convert-wma-mp3/

The only reason MP3's were invented in the first place was the early versions of WMA sucked. That was what, 10-12 years ago? Since then WMA's are perfectly good and many say they are better quality than MP3.

Anybody here using Real Tracks? The non audiophile version which most of us have are WMA files. They sound pretty good to me.

Bob


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Just to add on to Bob's advice ...

I strongly support wma, too.

Also, if you're making audio files to upload, many sites will support a WAV format upload (Soundcloud does, for example). Once the WAV is uploaded, it is then compressed on-site to the format that the site streams.

By uploading an uncompressed WAV file, where possible, you'll get the very best sound quality for the streaming file.

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To install the LAME ACM, do the following:

1. Download the LAME 3.99.5 ACM from here.
2. Then based on what type of system you have:

For 32-bit systems:
1. Extract the zip file to a folder on your hard disk, for example c:\lame
2. Right click on the "lameACM.inf" file and select Install from the popup menu.

For 64-bit systems:
1. Extract the zip file to a folder, for example c:\lame
2. Run cmd with admin rights (ctrl+shift+return)

3. Type "cd %windir%\SysWOW64" without the quotes

4. Type "rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 0 C:\lame\LameACM.inf" without the quotes.

Hope this helps.



John

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Remember all my comments about needing to be a computer nerd? To a casual user, those 64 bit instructions will certainly give them the warm and fuzzies, get one character out of order...

But, that's the name of the game if you want to do digital audio.

Bob


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He typed it out for you, at least say thanks!

I always hesitate to link to external sites with links that are out of control of someone I trust, but I also trust the poster of said link, so I'm NOT saying the link is a threat, just saying it may not be the same link in the future as when he posted it. Surf safe. (wow that was hard to convey)

There are places that offer easy LAME installs, but the point of LAME is the acronym. Lame Ain't MP3 Encoding.

It's very name is a disclaimer for its intended use.
Yes it is a good mp3 alternative, but the above is a point many don't consider.

I have LAME (and my own methods to install it). I also know of hacks for MediaPlayer that allow it to access the l3codecp dll .. I also own a bought/legit copy of the l3codecp upgrade.

That was all a hint.
Using L3codecp (vs l3codeca) for conversion allows all windows programs to have access to the all the available mp3 rates. Both will decompress all the rates, but only the 'p' codec will compress them in the first place. This is why new users default to 56k/mono; the l3codeca dll is in use.

There are, of course, other methods to get the MP3 codec on your system. K-Lite is one oft mentioned codec pack, not sure of its legitness (is that a word?) but usually works.

/the above is all informational for those interested


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JFord

thanks for the instructions and clarification.


Win 10, 64 bit, love my Lenovo T420, BIAB 2019 (613), RB 2019 (2)

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