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Author Topic: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5  (Read 1686 times)

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Offline TenaciousTopic starter

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Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« on: November 05, 2010, 02:55:39 AM »
I have been using Audion (old program originated on classic Mac) for encoding and playback.  It has a simple, intuitive interface, which I like.

The annoying thing is when I convert audio tracks from a CD to Mp3 format, I always seem to loose signal strength.  When I play back the resulting Mp3, I have to increase the volume to get a satisfactory listening level.  On some classical pieces, the volume must be turned up all the way.  There is a Relative Volume Adjustment in the ID Tag editor, but, it does not seem to have enough adjustment.

Maybe it's time for me to find a better encoder program.  Suggestions?  I don't have patience with complex user interfaces.
 

Offline Matt_H

Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2010, 02:59:05 AM »
iTunes?
 

Offline TenaciousTopic starter

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2010, 03:17:43 AM »
In hind-sight, that is the obvious answer.  

I have a distrust of iTunes, removed it from my system when I first got it.  I may have to reconsider.

I was hoping there was an outstanding 3rd party app that was easy to use and well known.  I have played with Macs for a long time, but have only begun to use one seriously in the last 6 months.
 

Offline Matt_H

Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2010, 03:25:48 AM »
Admittedly, I have some privacy concerns, too. To be safe, I make sure that I'm encoding to MP3 and not some DRM-infested format, and that I'm never signed in to an Apple/iTunes account.
 

Offline djrikki

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2010, 08:48:04 AM »
@Tenacious

What about Audacity?

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Offline Piru

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2010, 08:57:55 AM »
Quote from: Tenacious;589468
Maybe it's time for me to find a better encoder program.  Suggestions?  I don't have patience with complex user interfaces.

lame is the best encoder program. It has the simplest user interface.. commandline ;-)
 

Offline jacadcaps

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2010, 09:01:46 AM »
Screw iTunes and use http://sbooth.org/Max/ for ripping/encoding and http://sbooth.org/Play/ for playback. They're both great and yet simple apps.
 

Offline TenaciousTopic starter

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2010, 10:59:46 AM »
Thanks guys!  I'll try them out.
 

Offline Karlos

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2010, 11:38:44 AM »
Quote from: Piru;589512
lame is the best encoder program. It has the simplest user interface.. commandline ;-)


Agreed. Whether you like a CLI or not, lame seems to generate the best audio quality (subjectively) of all the mp3 encoders I've used of the years.
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Offline ElPolloDiabl

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2010, 12:27:30 PM »
I use audiograbber on PC (it uses lame). Highest VBR with dual stereo. Sounds identical to the CD.
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Offline Franko

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2010, 12:32:41 PM »
Having tried various MP3 encoders on the Mac, I prefer to stick with Lame on the Amiga for encoding, the sound quality it produces is far superior for whatever reason when you actually compare it to something encoded on the Mac... :)
 

Offline TenaciousTopic starter

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2010, 05:57:04 PM »
Quote from: Karlos;589539
Agreed. Whether you like a CLI or not, lame seems to generate the best audio quality (subjectively) of all the mp3 encoders I've used of the years.

Audion has two Mp3 encoder options: the first from Coding Technologies and the second is PMLame (based on Lame 3.92).  If PMLame (I haven't tried it yet) does a better job, I won't have to waste time learning a new interface.

I'm starting to wonder if my quality issues are related to hardware.  OTOH, converting a CD to Mp3 may not involve much hardware.  I think the program reads the audio track/file and converts it directly.

Maybe the CD's label is off center just enough to cause a disrupting wobble.  ;)
« Last Edit: November 05, 2010, 06:01:29 PM by Tenacious »
 

Offline Franko

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2010, 06:04:16 PM »
Quote from: Tenacious;589658
Audion has two Mp3 encoder options: the first from Coding Technologies and the second is PMLame (based on Lame 3.92).  If PMLame (I haven't tried it yet) does a better job, I won't have to waste time learning a new interface.

I'm starting to wonder if my quality issues are related to hardware.  OTOH, converting a CD to Mp3 may not involve much hardware.  I think the program reads the audio track/file and converts it directly, right?


I don't think it's a hardware issue, as on my iMac any MP3s that have been encoded using Lame on the Amiga playback fine & clear, but when I use Lame to do the encoding on the iMac the sound & quality is not as good.

Can't quite put my finger on it, but the highs are a lot clearer and crisper when encoded on the Amiga version of lame... :)
 

Offline illy5603

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2010, 08:25:33 PM »
.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2010, 09:31:04 PM by illy5603 »

 
 

Offline TenaciousTopic starter

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Re: Which Mp3 encoder for OSX 10.4 on G5
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2010, 04:54:59 AM »
I changed Audion's preferences to use its PMLame encoder.  I think the quality is improved, but, these things are hard to quantify.

I like many kinds of music, but, classical may do more to reveal the shortcomings of different media formats because of the dynamic range (soft quiet sections and loud thundering climaxes).  Worse still, I like to take my Mp3s in the car.  Road noise alone drowns the soft stuff.  I might expect too much.

@ Franko

I wont have my Amigas back to 100% until this winter (fewer chores).  I may try Lame on Amiga then.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2010, 05:07:37 AM by Tenacious »