Re: Upconverting AAC files in Audio/Video Chat http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20409114 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:55:48 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:55:48 EDT Re: Upconverting AAC files http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20411333 AB : You can convert almost anything, any way. Will it sound better? That's for you to decide, I suppose.

For changing formats there's SUPER or Audacity, or any number of other programs.

Audacity: »audacity.sourceforge.net/

SUPER: »www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20411333 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:42:45 EDT Re: Upconverting AAC files http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409260 rusdi : Now, to introduce something that will REALLY confuse & befuddle you! ;)

VBR, (Variable Bit Rate). :)

Something I use lately, exclusively.

"LAME" encoder.

It uses an algorithm that assigns bit-rate to frequencies that the human ear is less apt to hear, @ a lower bitrate, and then, instantly assigns bit-rates to those frequencies that are more pronounced, a higher bit-rate. :)

This results in a file that's normally lower file size, yet retains the areas where sound quality is most likely required for even those folks that can REALLY hear the difference! :D

My son says he can hear the difference between a virgin "WAVE" rip, and a 128 bit rip.

I can't, but my ears are twenty years older than his! :D

Also, you should be using a player, that can accurately re-produce the AAC, MP3 or WAVE.

I use WinAmp. Mostly 'cause I can play ANYTHING with it. WMP sometimes is persnickitty 'bout what it will "allow" you to play.
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said by jlanci See Profile :

So then in theory you could never go higher than CD quality audio which is what 128kbps wav format... i think??

So for example you cannot rip a CD at 256kbps and hear any difference because the source is still encoded at 128kbps?

No "theory". That's exactly right!

You can re-encode a 128 bitrate tune @ a higher encoded bitrate, however it can't be higher quality sound, than the original 128 bitrate sound...you do in fact understand. :)
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So for example you cannot rip a CD at 256kbps and hear any difference because the source is still encoded at 128kbps?

Am I correct or is there a way to repair the damage done during compression and guess at the missing information to bring it back up to full quality. I know this can be done with photos.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409099 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:52:22 EDT Re: Upconverting AAC files http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409057 rusdi :
said by jlanci See Profile :

It's like once you compress you're stuck.
PREZACTALLY! :)

Once the compression is done. You can never recover the final rendition to its original pristine sound.

Hate to be the "bearer of sad news", but you just described the situation perfectly. :)
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MP3, AAC is...what it is. A "compressed" data stream. Not unlike compressing video.

ANY TIME an original digital capture is "compressed", audio, or video, it loses some quality.

Sometimes it's clearly audible, sometimes only by the most discernible audiophiles. :huh:

The more "Bitrate" you start out with, the better the sound/video quality. This is an unavoidable truth.
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I have a bunch of music in iTunes that is in AAC format (non-DRM). I would like to upconvert them to sound better. Not sure how to do this.

For example:

Can I just up the bitrate on them? Or should I convert them to .wav format and up the bitrate in the process.

I'm not sure if this is at all possible or if it will even make a difference in the sound quality of my music.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20408965 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:59:07 EDT