|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
I'm using the free lame encoder with audacity to convert wav to mp3. Setting at 256 sounds decent going below that not so good. 128 would be a smaller file size - any tips on making it sound better at 128 converting from a BB or RB master wave file or does that size only work for pro mastered music? I apologize for being so clueless  but I've never been into mp3 other than listening before and was fairly stunned at how crappy my stuff sounds at 128. Thanks in advance for your help. Sundance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
Considering that 90% information is missing, it's not too hard to understand why music sounds so bad.
Personally, I usually use 320kbs if I want a half way decent sound for upload. Yeah, the file sizes are bigger, but the sound is better.
Provided you're happy with the wave files, and you're happy at 256, don't compress more than 256.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357 |
Sundance,
CD quality is 128 kB/s and 44100 Hz. This means that 128 can sound good. I don't have a great deal of experience in Audacity but in Goldwave I convert all WAVs to 128/44100 and it sounds fine. Have you double-checked that the 44100 Hz is set as well as the 128? (From what I understand of Audacity, 44100 is set under "Set Rate" - found under the little arrow to the right of the file name.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 235 |
I don't know about the audicity settings, since I don't use it in fact. But fact is that the settings as described above is 44.1k for the samplefrequency and the bitrate at 16. Eventhough 22.05k can sometimes still sound acceptable, but you cut off higher frequencies a lot. A 44.1k will contain information upto 22 khz, while a 22 kHz samplerate will not go beyond 11 kHz frequencies. A stereomix will most likely exceed the 11kHz by far.
To give an indication: the old cassetete decks often recorded not much more than approx 15-16 kHz. Most (older) adults also won't go much beyond that... Which means that you would miss out a lot sampling at 22k. A 32kHz samplerate (16kHz response) might therefore be still the limit for acceptable quality.
I'll be back...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Noel, CD quality is certainly NOT 128 kbps. That's 128 kilobits per second. CDs are roughly 10 MegaBYTES per minute. Considering that a BYTE is 8 bits, that makes CD quality 80 Megabits per minute. There's 60 seconds in a minute, so dividing 80 Mbpm by 60 gives 1.33 Megabits per second.
WAY more data density than 128 kpbs. A thousand times more data. That's why .mp3 files are so much smaller than their .wav counterparts, which at 16 bit data width and 44100 Hz sample rate ARE CD quality.
.mp3, ogg vorbis, WMA, and any of the other audio data compression schemes use various algorithms and decisions in those algorithms to decide how much of the data to 'throw away' in the compression scheme. One thing .mp3 compression does across the board is simply eliminate all data above 14 kHz. No matter what bit rate is used.
I will agree with you that with some music, and some .mp3 compression, and dependent on the data playback, you can get decent sounding 128 kbps mp3 files. But it is highly dependent on the program material used, compression scheme used, playback system, etc.
For my personal CD collection for playback in my car, I have chosen to use 192 kpbs compression with .mp3 files. I find that I really can't tell the difference between these files and CDs of the same material played back in the car. With 128 kbps files, I can usually hear artifacts of the compression on sibilant vocal sounds, and the high-frequency parts of ride cymbals, crash cymbals, etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357 |
Thanks rockstar_not, I appreciate the math help  I see it's a subject that you are very passionate about. I also see that I have (con)fused my understanding of WAV, RAW and mp3 formats and have combined them into some form of hybrid, erroneous idea. I appreciate being set on the right path. If you are interested, this html link supports your choice of 192 kbps. The author reaches his conclusion through some qualitative and quantitative analyses. It's interesting reading.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
*Did you also download and install the LAME encoder that is on the Audacity website?
If you are trying to use one of the codecs that came installed with your OS, it cannot sound as good as LAME now does.
Fraunhofer haulted development long ago, LAME kept going...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Thank you all. I'm wanting to upload some songs to somewhere - soundclick, myspace, motagator - haven't decided which host yet. 256 sounds fine - I just wanted to be sure there wasn't some way to do it at 128 that I didn't know about that would sound just as good.
Yes, it's the LAME from the website.
Sundance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
*Many sharing sites may limit your choice to 128kbps mp3 for the sake of webstreaming and limiting storage size.
Check out the rules of the chosen site first.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,736
Posts795,477
Members39,942
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean