VBR Files to CBR

[Sergio D]

Hi Everyone,

I have searched through this forum and was not able to locate an answer that would reflect my question. I have about 5% of my MP3 collection that shows up as VBR after processing. The other 95% are between 192 & 320 Kbps. I have read on other forums that these files should not be played and to be removed from the collection. Is their any software that can convert form VBR to CBR without loosing quality?? Not sure if i asked that correctly...

Your inputs are gladly appreciated.

[MusicMeister]

Don't sweat it.

VBR actually produces a better quality than CBR at identical bitrates.

The reason is that it adjust the bit rate lower when there's less sonic material (think break down or even silence) and increases it in other areas. CBR maintains the same quality throughout.

There was a time when VBR wasn't always supported, but that's with the old Technics SL-DZ1200's and similar products from that era. But the SLDZ's didn't support bitrates over 128kbps either.

VBR requires a little more 'power' to decode but negligible in todays terms.

That being said, the main issues with VBR is that Windows doesn't always detect the time (length) properly - but outside that, they play just fine and sound great.

[Sergio D]

The reason i was asking, i have been doing alot of reading on the Platinum Notes & Mixed in Key software. Was wondering if the investment was worth. Planning on playing Clubs and Large venues.

[Hannes]

VBR actually produces a better quality than CBR at identical bitrates.

No, a 320cbr file will always sound better than a 320vbr file, simply because as you already said the bitrate will be lowered for less "active" material. afaik vbr doesnt really go higher than 320kpbs too.

Same is true for 128/256kbps files, though the bitrate is dynamic, there is no such thing as the perfect algorithm, you probably end up with some "oldschool crap-sound" snares/hihats on less sonic-active material, i.e. break.

cbr simply is the better choice, less cpu-load, better constant (!) quality and with today's hdd-sizes the smaller size really doesn't count anymore.

[MusicMeister]

You can't create a 320kbps VBR file.

The reason is because it can't go OVER 320kbps - it's the limits of MP3.

When you do a VBR file it's both higher AND lower than the specified bitrate to achieve the desired bitrate as an AVERAGE.

As the amount of sonic 'material' goes down the bit rate drops and as it increases the bitrate goes UP.

As for artifacts, it's far more likely if you use the Fraunhoffer algorithm than if you use LAME. I've used LAME generated VBR files for more than a decade without issue. And with the size of hard drives coming down it makes LESS sense to use any compressed algoritm vs. a lossless option.

The lossless options available are pretty expansive... Apple Lossless, APE, Ogg Squish, Monkey, FLAC, you name it... there are LOTS of options that are compressed lossless.... and I'm hoping that at least Apple Lossless support makes it's way into Cross soon... it's already reading the tags since it's using an M4A wrapper but just not playing the file yet. (hoping, hoping, hoping... )

[Sergio D]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your inputs. In my case storage space is not an issue. What i may think of doing is backing up that 5% of VBR files and maybe try to convert them into CBR files and really see if there is a difference when playing loud. I understand that Platinum Notes can do this conversion and also adjust the gain of all my tracks at the same time. In the Pioneer DJ forums, they really push "get rid of the VBR files". But now i am using Mixvibes and i want evrything to "Perfect" for my sets..

[MusicMeister]

Sergio, I suggest you ask WHY they recommend the change...

and then do some research on your own.

I'll be honest, you'll degrade audio quality converting from VBR to CBR because you'll have to re-encode the audio stream.

[sylMV]

They recommend to convert cause CDJs aren't as good at VBR decoding as they are for CBR.

[Sergio D]

Yes, that is true....but when I ply them in my home studio, they seem and sound fine. I will keep doing research. Until recently I have been purchasing 320kbps files, but I also began in purchasing wav files. Which we all know is much better..

They recommend to convert cause CDJs aren't as good at VBR decoding as they are for CBR.