Future proofing my music
Posted by: jamesfuge on 23 February 2009
Though i own, and am very happy with my cd5i-2, and have alot of CD's to play, i also have alot of mp3 music on my itunes on my computer that i dont have on CD.
These files range from 96kbps(!) to 320kbps.
I rarely listen to this music, because i use my cd player predominantly, but there have been many discussions of late concerning computer audio and dacs etc, that has sparked my interest in sorting out my computer audio, incase i want to buy a hdx or whatever in the future.
I am guessing that these 4000 songs or so will sound much better at a higher bit rate than the 128kbps that most of them are in now. But they were downloaded from the net this size.
Can i change them to a higher bit rate now or are they stuck this way? And if i can, how? and to what?
Suggestions more than welcome!
Cheers
James
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by jamesfuge
Just to note, i use itunes, if that maks a difference at all
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by BigH47
Vinyl.
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by jamesfuge
Would be nice but i havent got the room, i also havent got the money for a decent deck or starting new collection of vinyl! it will have to be CD and computer audio for now....
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by Derry
I don't think you are stuck with the bit-rate at which they were downloaded.
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by Fraser Hadden
There is no way of uprating the quality of the material you have downloaded, save by downloading it again at higher bit rates.
Software will allow you to change the bitrate of the existing files but the sound quality will remain the same, being fixed by the original resolution, though the file size will increase. The exercise is therefore pointless.
Fraser
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by JamieL
As others have said, you can not increase the quality of the MP3 files if they are low bit rate.
You can resave them as files at a higher bit rate, or other types of file, but it will simply use more disc space for the same quality of sound.
MP3 files, no matter how high the bit rate do lose some information compared with CD/Flac quality.
M4a and M4p files are also lossy file formats like MP3.
Some artists and websites are now offering Flac downloads as an alternative to MP3. Flac files have all the audio quality of CD, and can be decoded to wav files of CD quality if needed.
Even CD quality and Flac will not future proof your audio, as higher standards may/will become available like 96Khz audio (Flac or wav).
Vinyl will not lose out in quality, but obviously can be damaged more easily, but as you say, it is not a practical option for you.
Bear in mind that disc/hard drive storage decreases in size and cost as computers become more advanced, so you will be able to store more data for less cost as time goes by, so file size is will not be such a key issue. The same also goes for time to download formats as the the internet gets faster.
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by jcs_smith
I wouldn't bother trying to resize them. I have some stuff that is only available on MP3 and resized them and they came out just sounding weird. I know it's not a very scientific term but it is the best description for the results. It's a bit like taking a video of youtube and playing it full screen on a tv - it's much better at the original resolution
Posted on: 23 February 2009 by jamesfuge
Thanks guys, really useful,
I may be downloading alot over the next few weeks then!
cheers
James
