Seeing this is the forum where we all share and spread the music, I thought this a good place to have a discussion about mp3 files, and the quality of such. I'm a big fan of flac, and although mp3 definately has its place, I'm still learning about the file format. Which brings me to the topic title, EncSpot, which is a free nifty little utility available from link . It basically lists the properties of mp3 files, showing which encoder was used to create it, at what bitrate, and whether it is stereo etc. Apart from giving all sorts of other information, it colour codes the quality of the files into red (bad) yellow (OK) and gree (good). I just ran it through its paces on my considerable mp3 collection, and I was quite amazed at how many crap quality mp3s are in my possession. Many of them I downloaded here :)
Of course, I'm not saying that all mp3s are bad, as I've downloaded many good ones here as well, but I think it a useful tool to check the quality of your files, and to bring an awareness that is probably missing in many, that it IS important which encoder you use, and the bitrate you choose... Do a bit of research, read up on it. It's no good spreading rubbish around the internet is it...particularly when we are talking about Queen music :)
Well, this application surely is worth to investigate. Thanks. By the way, I use mp3Trim and wavTrim for analyzing, correcting, trimming and 'untagging' some of my audio files.
djaef -
Doees Encspot rate the encoding quality independent of bit rate?
In other words is it more likely to rate a 128 kbs mp3 as bad than a 320 kbs mp3?
Rip Van Winkle wrote: djaef -
Doees Encspot rate the encoding quality independent of bit rate?
In other words is it more likely to rate a 128 kbs mp3 as bad than a 320 kbs mp3?
It is more likely, but it appears to also rate the encoder.
I'd say it's a mixture. Certainly, it appears to be the lower bitrate encoded mp3s it shows as "bad", but it also dicerns between mp3s of the same bitrate. I couldn't find any documentation with the program so it's a bit of a guess. It definately also has a rating for encoders (ie. a Xing 128kpbps mp3 rates much lower than a FhG or a Lame 128kbps).
Thanks for this kind of topic. The most important thing in mp3 encoding is used encoder. There is huge number of programs used to encode mp3 that are just crap. On of the best is Lame for sure - and its free. Good info you can find here : link
Yeah, I agree. I'm sure loads of people just rip a song using whatever they have on hand, not knowing or caring that they are just spreading crap around the net. Exact Audio Copy is a good free program, as is Audiograbber. They both use excellent encoders.