jlanci
join:2005-08-30
Staten Island, NY
| Upconverting AAC files
Not sure if this has been posted here before but here goes.
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. |
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rusdi
American V
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
Flippin, AR
clubs:
| Don't think anything can be done to enhance the quality of the original encoding, regardless of the final out-put rendering.
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. 
The more "Bitrate" you start out with, the better the sound/video quality. This is an unavoidable truth.
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F@H console client
Come fold for a cure with us. |
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jlanci
join:2005-08-30
Staten Island, NY | Ok, so are you then saying that you cannot re-encode at a higher bitrate? It seems odd to me that you can always compress but you can't go the opposite way. It's like once you compress you're stuck. |
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rusdi
American V
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
Flippin, AR
clubs:
| said by jlanci  :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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F@H console client
Come fold for a cure with us. |
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jlanci
join:2005-08-30
Staten Island, NY
| 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?
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. |
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rusdi
American V
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
Flippin, AR
clubs:
| said by jlanci :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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F@H console client
Come fold for a cure with us. |
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rusdi
American V
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
Flippin, AR
clubs:
| reply to jlanci
An example is, if you "rip" a CD @ 320 bitrate, then compress the 320 to 128, the 128 bitrate is obviously lower, and subsequently, lower sound quality. If you then re-encode the 128 back up to 320 bitrate, it will only sound as good as the 128 bitrate encoding sounded....clear as mud? 
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F@H console client
Come fold for a cure with us. |
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rusdi
American V
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
Flippin, AR
clubs:
| reply to jlanci
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! 
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!
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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F@H console client
Come fold for a cure with us. |
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AB
Premium
join:2006-04-04
Leesburg, VA
| reply to jlanci
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 |
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