How to get best result when creating the MP3?

[Harry_HH]

Dither is not applicable to MP3 encoding, period. If you plan to export your 24- or 32-bit project to 16 bits prior to encoding, then yes, apply dither then. But if you're not doing that intermediate step, then dither is not a concern.

Dither compensates for rounding errors when you lose the bottom 8 bits converting from a 24-bit (or 32-bit) wave to a 16-bit wave. This isn't what happens during MP3 encoding. Contrary to popular belief, data is not reduced to 16 bits within the encoder. 24-bit data can be encoded as-is; internally, the data stored in the MP3 file is floating-point. Encoding strips away any data deemed inaudible, and although that does result in wordlength reduction, by definition you cannot hear that loss of data. Any dither that had been present in the source would be discarded along with the other least-significant fluctuations in amplitude that the encoder has decided is unnecessary.

In short, dither is a non-issue when it comes to maximizing MP3 quality.

All MP3 encoders except LAME use the same algorithms, licensed from the Fraunhofer Institute, which owns the patent. LAME independently reverse-engineered the algorithm to legally reproduce functionally-equivalent output without actually using the Fraunhofer code. What this means is that all encoders produce files of comparable quality at a given bitrate.

In my experience, I've heard no difference between files encoded with Fraunhofer-licensed encoders versus LAME. (BTW, that Cakewalk encoder they charge extra for is actually LAME in disguise.)

Adobe Audition is slightly different, in that it supports an enhanced variant of MP3 called MP3Pro. It stores additional high-frequency information that's normally discarded during encoding, but requires an MP3Pro-enabled player to make use of that data, so most players ignore it. Consequently, AA-encoded files sound no different than those created by other programs (although AA provides more encoder options than many other applications).

So what does have an impact on the quality of an MP3 file? Two things: the bitrate, and the quality of the source data. Just use the highest practical bitrate (although nobody I know can hear a difference between 256kb/s and 320kb/s) for your application.

Even if you're uploading to a site that's going to re-encode your file to a lower bitrate, or streams at a lower bitrate, you'll still want to send them the highest bitrate they'll accept. For example, a free SoundClick account limits files to 10MB and re-encodes them to 128kb/s. Nevertheless, encode your song to the highest bitrate that results in an under-10MB file size.

One last thought. MP3 encoding involves the use of very high-Q filters, which are prone to ringing. This ringing can cause unexpectedly high peak values that could possibly distort a cheap MP3 player. It's therefore a good idea to master your material with more headroom than you might for a CD. I recommend leaving at least 1db headroom when the destination is an MP3 rather than the customary 0.1 to 0.3db or so used with CDs.

Sounds very convincing, thank you. Have you any idea why so many DAWs'do not include MP3 conversion as an option - in spite of the fact that great deal of music is delivered just via computers? H.

[bezusheist]

source: 997Hz sine wave @ -6dBFS (44.1k/32bfp)
green: 44.1k/32bit (no dither) converted to 320k mp3
red: 44.1k/16bit dithered converted to 320k mp3

[Zombie Queen]

you say that best source material for MP3 is dithered CD-format, not e.g. your master file?

This is my practical guess - this is kind of the material encoders are betatested on. However there is no theoretical sense to dither stuff for mp3 encoding. Listen to Bilbo, he knows all about the rings.

DAWs do not include encoding to save on paying Fraunhofer license, I reckon.

There is no sense to test encoding a single sine wave, it will probably fit any bitrate.

[bezusheist]

...There is no sense to test encoding a single sine wave, it will probably fit any bitrate.

maybe this makes sense, then...

[Zombie Queen]

[VibraSound]

I encode my MP3 with the Free Lame Front-End @ 320 Kbps CBR.

http://www.pazera-software.com/products/lame-front-end/

[bezusheist]

edit: oops,didnt mean to post
edit edit : since i did, why not say something relevant...
i noticed that soundcloud dithers tracks for streaming but bandcamp does not...(random info)

[bbaggins]

Have you any idea why so many DAWs'do not include MP3 conversion as an option?

It's because they have to pay a substantial licensing fee to Fraunhofer. LAME-based encoders don't require it because LAME isn't based on Fraunhofer code, which explains the popularity of LAME. However, the LAME developers have had to be very careful not to turn their program into a commercial product, lest they attract the attention of Fraunhofer's lawyers. That's probably why you don't see them licensing LAME for inclusion in commercial DAWs.

Many DAWs, however, support calling external executables such as audio editors. Check your DAW documentation, there is probably a way to easily integrate LAME.

[V0RT3X]

[mellotronaut]

How do you create your MP3 of your own productions?

[Harry_HH]

How do you create your MP3 of your own productions?

New race is born! Where we other mortal produce just no. 1. and no. 2., Mellotronaut is organism which produce 1., 2. - and mmmm..pee 3. H.