Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase - User contributions [en]

Burrrn

2026-03-29T16:45:22Z

Jaybeee:

{{Infobox Software
| name = Burrrn
| logo =
| screenshot = [[image:Burrrn.png|200px]]
| caption = Burrrn main window.
| developer = Matus Vojtek
| stable_release = 1.14
| preview_release = 1.14b2
| operating_system = Windows
| use = Optical disc authoring
| license = Free
}}
'''Burrrn''' is a tool for creating [[audio CD]]s with [[CD-Text]] from various audio files.

Supported formats are: wav, mp3, mpc, ogg, aac, mp4, ape, flac, ofr, wv, tta, m3u, pls and fpl playlists and cue sheets. You can also burn EAC’s noncompliant image + cue sheets! Burrrn can read all types of tags from all these formats (including ape tags in mp3). Burrrn uses cdrdao.exe for burning.

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160410041258/http://www.burrrn.net/?page_id=4 burrrn.net] via archive.org
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/burrrn/burrrn_package.zip Burrrn 1.14 beta2]

[[Category:CD/DVD Writers]]
[[Category:Software]]

Burrrn

2026-03-29T16:44:20Z

Jaybeee: added link to download 1.14 beta2

Free Lossless Audio Codec

2023-10-04T18:23:23Z

Jaybeee: v1.4.3

{{Codec Infobox
| name = FLAC
| logo = [[Image:FLAC logo.gif]]
| type = lossless
| purpose = Popular open source patent free lossless compression scheme.
| maintainer = Josh Coalson, Xiph Community
| released = {{start date and age|2001}}
| recommended_encoder = FLAC encoder
| recommended_text = FLAC v1.4.3 (23 Jun 2023)
| website = http://xiph.org/flac/
}}
'''Free Lossless Audio Codec''' ('''FLAC''') is a codec for lossless audio compression.
Grossly oversimplified, FLAC is similar to [[MP3]], but [[lossless]], meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. This is similar to how Zip works, except with FLAC you will get much better compression because it is designed specifically for audio, and you can play back compressed FLAC files in your favorite player (or your car or home stereo, if supported) just like you would a lossy file.

FLAC is natively supported in Android since version 3.1, in Windows 10, and in macOS High Sierra 10.13.

== General aspects of the format ==
FLAC is freely available and supported on most operating systems, including Windows, UNIX (Linux, *BSD, Solaris, OS X, IRIX), BeOS, OS/2, and Amiga. There are build systems for autotools, MSVC, Watcom C, and Project Builder.

The FLAC project consists of:
* the stream format
* reference encoders and decoders in library form
* flac, a command-line program to encode and decode FLAC files
* metaflac, a command-line metadata editor for FLAC files
* input plugins for various music players

When it's said that FLAC is ''free'', it means more than just that it is available at no cost. It means that the specification of the format is fully open to the public to be used for any purpose, although the FLAC project reserves the right to set the FLAC specification and certify compliance. It also means that neither the FLAC format nor any of the implemented encoding/decoding methods are covered by any known patent. And it means that all the source code is available under [http://xiph.org/flac/license.html open-source licenses]. It is the first truly open and free lossless audio format.

== Features ==
* '''Lossless:''' The encoding of audio (PCM) data incurs no loss of information, and the decoded audio is bit-for-bit identical to what went into the encoder. Each frame contains a 16-bit CRC of the frame data for detecting transmission errors. The integrity of the audio data is further insured by storing an MD5 signature of the original unencoded audio data in the file header, which can be compared against later during decoding or testing.
* '''Fast:''' FLAC is asymmetric in favor of decode speed. Decoding requires only integer arithmetic, and is much less compute-intensive than for most perceptual codecs. Real-time decode performance is easily achievable on even modest hardware.
* '''Hardware support:''' Because of FLAC's free reference implementation, low decoding complexity and popularity, FLAC has relatively widespread hardware support compared to other lossless formats.
* '''Streamable:''' Each FLAC frame contains enough data to decode that frame. FLAC does not even rely on previous or following frames. FLAC uses sync codes and CRCs (similar to MPEG and other formats), which, along with framing, allow decoders to pick up in the middle of a stream with a minimum of delay.
* '''Seekable:''' FLAC supports fast sample-accurate seeking. Not only is this useful for playback, it makes FLAC files suitable for use in editing applications.
* '''Flexible metadata:''' New metadata blocks can be defined and implemented in future versions of FLAC without breaking older streams or decoders. Currently there are metadata types for tags, cue sheets, and seek tables. Applications can write their own APPLICATION metadata once they register an ID.
* '''Suitable for archiving:''' FLAC is an open format, and there is no generation loss if you need to convert your data to another format in the future. In addition to the frame CRCs and MD5 signature, FLAC has a verify option that decodes the encoded stream in parallel with the encoding process and compares the result to the original, aborting with an error if there is a mismatch.
* '''Convenient CD archiving:''' FLAC has a ''cue sheet'' metadata block for storing a CD table of contents and all track and index points. For instance, you can rip a CD to a single file, then import the CD's extracted cue sheet while encoding to yield a single file representation of the entire CD. If your original CD is damaged, the cue sheet can be exported later in order to burn an exact copy.
* '''Error resistant:''' Because of FLAC's framing, stream errors limit the damage to the frame in which the error occurred, typically a small fraction of a second worth of data. Contrast this with some other lossless codecs, in which a single error destroys the remainder of the stream.

== Pros ==
* Portable to many systems
* Open source and freely licensed
* Hardware support (PhatBox, Kenwood MusicKeg, Rio Karma, etc. See below)
* Streaming support
* Extremely fast decoding
* Supports multichannel and high resolution streams
* Supports [[ReplayGain]]
* Supports cue-sheet (with some limitations)
* Gaining wide use as successor to [[Shorten]]

== Cons ==
* Compresses less efficiently than other popular modern compressors ([[Monkey's Audio]], [[OptimFROG]])
* Higher compression modes slow, for little gain over the default setting.

== Hardware and software that support FLAC ==
For a more comprehensive list see the [http://xiph.org/flac/links.html FLAC links page].

=== Hardware ===
==== Car stereo ====
* Kenwood [http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/audiofile/index.php?model=KMM KMM series]
* Pioneer [http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/121/61/overview.html Car Stereo] (search FLAC)
* JVC [http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?pathId=139 KD-X "Digital Media Receivers" series] (almost all)
* Soundstream [http://soundstream.com/store/car-video/source-units.html Source Units]
* Tesla Model S
* Citroën DS5
* Volvo Sensus (SPA Platform)

==== Home stereo ====
* Olive's [http://www.olive.us/ Symphony] wireless digital music center
* [http://www.numark.com/ Numark]'s DJ equipment (HDX and CDX turntables, HDMIX mixer)
* [http://www.sonos.com/ Sonos Digital Music System]
* Slim Devices' [http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_squeezebox.html Squeezebox] networked audio players

==== Portable ====
* [[Apple iPod]] with [[Rockbox]] firmware
* [[iAudio M3]], M5 and X5
* [[iRiver]] iHP-120/iHP-140 with [[Rockbox]] firmware
* [[Iwod G10]]
* [[Rio Karma]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SanDisk_Sansa SanDisk Sansa]
* TrekStor's [http://www.trekstor.de/en/products/detail_mp3.php?pid=66 Vibez]
* Devices running Android 3.1+
* [[Pono|Pono Player]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiiO_X_Series FiiO X Series]

== Software ==

==== Players Software ====

*Windows
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[MediaMonkey]]
*# [[MusicBee]]
*# [[Winamp]]
*# [https://www.aimp.ru/ AIMP]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [http://www.un4seen.com/ XMPlay]
*# [http://mplayerwin.sourceforge.net/ MPlayer] Console player

*Mac
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [http://cogx.org/ Cog]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [http://coppertino.com/ VOX]

*Linux
*# [http://www.clementine-player.org/ Clementine]
*# [http://www.mplayerhq.hu/ MPlayer]
*# [http://www.mythtv.org/ MythTV]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [[XMMS]]

*Android
*# [https://powerampapp.com/ Poweramp]
*# [https://www.aimp.ru/ AIMP]
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[VLC]]

===Frontends (Windows)===
* [[foobar2000]] Music Converter / Audio Player
* [https://moisescardona.me/flac-gui/ FLAC GUI] (By Moisés Cardona)
* <s> FLAC frontend (ktf) </s>
* <s> Windows Frontend (by Speek) </s>

===Frontends (Mac)===
* [http://www.sbooth.org/Max/ Max]

===Converters===
*for a more comprehensive list [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#Transcoders here]
*# [http://www.dbpoweramp.com/ dBpowerAMP] Music Converter / Audio Player / CD Writer
*# [[ MediaMonkey]] Music Manager / Audio Player / CD Writer
*# [[fre:ac]] Music Converter / CD Writer/Ripper
*# [[foobar2000]] Music Converter / Audio Player

===Editors===
*List of popular audio editors
*# [[Audacity]]
*# [[Adobe Audition]]
*# [http://www.goldwave.com/ GoldWave]

===CD writers/rippers===
*for a comprehensive list of CD/DVD [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#CD.2FDVD_Writers Writers] & [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#CD_Rippers rippers]
*# [http://www.nero.com/eng/ Nero]
*# [http://cdburnerxp.se/ CDBurnerXP] CD writer
*# [[MediaMonkey]] - CD ripper/writer
*# [[Exact Audio Copy]] CD Ripper
*# [http://www.cdwave.com/ CD Wave]
*# [http://arson.sourceforge.net/ Arson]
*#  Burrrn  Audio CD burner
*#  CDex CD ripper

===Taggers===
*for a comprehensive list of tag editors [[http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#Tagging_Utilities here]]
*# [[Mp3tag]] - Universal Tag Editor
*# [http://www.xdlab.ru/en/ TagScanner] - "The Ultimate Tag Editor"
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[MediaMonkey]] - Tagger / Music manager (Including multiple and linked album art support)
*# [http://www.jtclipper.eu/thegodfather/ The GodFather] - Tagger / Music manager
*# [http://sbooth.org/Tag/ Tag] - for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
*# <s>[http://www.synthetic-soul.co.uk/tag/ Case's Tag] - Command line tagger </s>
*# [https://xiph.org/flac/documentation_tools_metaflac.html metaflac] - for general metadata (including Vorbis comments) maintenance

==== Other tools ====
* [http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/ mkvtoolnix] - tool to multiplex FLAC streams inside the Matroska container
* [https://xiph.org/flac/documentation_tools_metaflac.html metaflac] - for general metadata (including Vorbis comments) maintenance, also to calculate [[ReplayGain]] values for FLAC files lacking such

== Frequently asked questions ==
''Question:'' Does the compression level affect decompression speed?

''Short Answer'': No.

''Long Answer'': In truth, the compression level does affect the decompression speed, but the difference between the various compress levels can barely be measured and is too small to be noticed, even on low-end machines.

''Question:'' What is the best compression level for encoding my music?

''Short Answer'': The default setting, 5.

''Long Answer'': Encoding at the default setting will give the best balance between compression and encoding speed. Encoding at 8 can more than quadruple the encoding time, while having an insignificant effect on compression.

== See also ==
* [[Lossless]]
* [[Lossless comparison]]
* [[FLAC decoder testbench]]

== External links ==
* [http://xiph.org/flac/ FLAC homepage]
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/board,67.0.html|FLAC discussion board}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123025.0.html|FLAC v1.4.x Performance Tests}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,124356.0.html|FLAC 1.4.3 topic}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123234.0.html|FLAC 1.4.2 topic}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,122949.0.html|FLAC 1.4.0 topic}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,118008.msg974100/topicseen.html#new|FLAC 1.3.3 topic}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107611.0.html|FLAC 1.3.1 topic}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107913.0.html|FLAC 1.3.1 non-SSE2 build for older CPUs}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107990.0.html|Lossless codec comparison (Jan ’15)}} by [http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?action=profile;u=68263 ktf] graphs the influence of the chosen encoding level on the encoding and decoding performance of FLAC 1.3.1 and various other lossless codecs. Omion's older test, "[http://web.archive.org/web/20091108104748/http://people.ucsc.edu/~rswilson/flactest File Size vs. Decoding Speed]", covers the influence of the chosen encoding level on the decoding speed of FLAC 1.2.1.

[[Category:Codecs]]
[[Category:Lossless]]
[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:32:25Z

Jaybeee: /* Multiformat Tests */ fixed links

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,34911.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10555.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,22495.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,18359.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10551.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100447.0.html HA Thread]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,14091.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,16395.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,23355.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29925.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,32080.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,32440.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,35438.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36465.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,104471.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,109716.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:29:10Z

Jaybeee: /* Opus */

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,34911.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10555.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,22495.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,18359.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10551.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100447.0.html HA Thread]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:29:01Z

Jaybeee: /* Opus */ fixed link

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,34911.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10555.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,22495.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,18359.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10551.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100447.0.html HA thread]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:28:18Z

Jaybeee: /* WMA */ fixed link

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,34911.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10555.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,22495.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,18359.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10551.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=100447&view=findpost&p=831963]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:27:42Z

Jaybeee: /* Vorbis */ fixed links

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,34911.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,10555.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,22495.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,18359.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10551&view=findpost&p=106158 HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=100447&view=findpost&p=831963]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:26:33Z

Jaybeee: /* MPC */ fixed link

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,34911.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10555&view=findpost&p=106189 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=22495&view=findpost&p=218681 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=18359&view=findpost&p=180697 HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10551&view=findpost&p=106158 HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=100447&view=findpost&p=831963]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:24:31Z

Jaybeee: /* MP3 */ fixed links

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,17728.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29422.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,30547.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,37973.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,96800.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,100896.0.html HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=34911&view=findpost&p=306910 HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10555&view=findpost&p=106189 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=22495&view=findpost&p=218681 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=18359&view=findpost&p=180697 HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10551&view=findpost&p=106158 HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=100447&view=findpost&p=831963]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Private Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:21:24Z

Jaybeee: /* AAC */ fixed links

Individual hydrogenaudio members have from time to time carried out their own private listening tests. Though individual perception of different kinds of artifacts varies from person to person, these tests provide some additional data points for comparing lossy encoders.

=Single-format Tests=
==[[AAC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-12-09
| style="width:174px" | Ahead vs Apple 128-kbps Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | iTunes 4.1.052, 4.7.042; Nero 2.5.9.7, 2.9.998 CBR, 2.9.998 VBR
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,29924.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-09-05
| 48- & 64-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Guruboolez
| CT aacPlus v.2 48- & 64-kbps Helix 11.0.0.1897, Nero 3.2.0.20 VBR
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,36868.0.html HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-09-19
| 96 & 128 kbps AAC-LC
| Kamedo2
| FFmpeg r.55212 abr FFmpeg r.55212+v4 patch abr [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK AAC]] 0.1.1 cbr
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,102699.0.html HA Thread]
|}

==[[MP3]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2004-01-18
| style="width:174px" | Dithering Test (1) Special
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[MP3]] Decoders: MAD, [[LAME]], [[Fraunhofer]], foobar2000
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=17728&view=findpost&p=174740 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-11-15
| 130-kbps LAME rjamorim
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3 ABR, 3.96.1 ABR, 3.96.1 VBR
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29422&view=findpost&p=253968 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-01-11
| 128-kbps LAME ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.90.3, 3.96.1, 3.97a5
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=30547&view=findpost&p=264411 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-10-17
| [[LAME]] 3.98 -V5 Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] 3.98: -V5, -V5 --vbr-new, -V5 --vbr-new --athaa-sensitivity 1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=37973&view=findpost&p=335086 HA Thread]
|-
| 2012-09-03
| [[LAME]]
| IgorC
| [[LAME]] 3.97:-V5 --vbr-new, 3.98.4 -V 5.7, 3.99.5 -V 4.99
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=96800 HA Thread]
|-
| 2013-05-17
| [[LAME]]
| Kamedo2
| [[LAME]]3100i V2+, [[LAME]] 3.99.5 -V1, [[LAME]] 3.98.4 224kbps cbr q0, Helix v5.1 VBR -V146, BladeEnc(Low Anchor)
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=100896&st=25 HA Thread]
|}

'''''Notes:'''
(1) Performed under extreme listening conditions not reproducible on daily listening.''

==[[MPC]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2005-06-18
| style="width:174px" | --standard Classical
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | 1.01j, 1.15u
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=34911&view=findpost&p=306910 HA Thread]
|}

==[[Vorbis]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | GT2 & PCVS
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10555&view=findpost&p=106189 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-06-17
| 160-kbps Special
| Guruboolez
| CVS, GT3b2, [[aoTuV]]b2, [[aoTuV]]b2+QK
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=22495&view=findpost&p=218681 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-02-05
| -q4 Transients
| Guruboolez
| RC3 2002-03, RC3 2002-04, 1.01, 1.01 QK2
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=18359&view=findpost&p=180697 HA Thread]
|}

==[[WMA]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-06-18
| style="width:174px" | 128-kbps ff123/rjamorim
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[WMA]]9 Standard & Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=10551&view=findpost&p=106158 HA Thread]
|}

==[[Opus]]==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2013-04-21
| style="width:174px" | 96 kbps
| style="width:101px" | IgorC
| style="width:299px" | [[Opus]] 1.0.2, 1.1a, 1.1post-a
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=100447&view=findpost&p=831963]
|}

=Multiformat Tests=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Links
|-
| style="width:064px" | 2003-10-11
| style="width:174px" | 130-kbps Classical (Baroque)
| style="width:101px" | Guruboolez
| style="width:299px" | [[AAC]] (FAAC, PsyTel, Nero, QuickTime) [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.90.3, [[MPC]] 1.14, [[Vorbis]] GT3b1, [[WMA]]9 Pro
| style="width:110px" | [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=14091&view=findpost&p=142684 HA Thread]
|-
| 2003-12-13
| 128-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] (iTunes, Nero, FAAC), [[Vorbis]] 1.01, [[WMA]]9, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.93.1
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=16395&view=findpost&p=163116 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-07-12
| 175-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[Vorbis]] Megamix -q5,50, -q5,99 -q6,00 [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a3 -V3, -V2, [[MPC]] -q5
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=23355&view=findpost&p=225046 HA Thread]
|-
| 2004-12-09
| 130-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 2.9.9.998 [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=29925&view=findpost&p=258645 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-05
| 140-kbps VBR Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] Nero 3.0.0.4, [[Vorbis]] 1.1, QK28
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32080&view=findpost&p=279240 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-03-17
| 256-kbps Transcode from MP3 subset of ff123
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]] iTunes 4.7, [[MP3]] [[LAME]] 3.97a8 [[MPC]] 1.15u, [[Vorbis]] aoTuVb3, [[WavPack]] 4.2b3 Lossy
|
[https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=32440&view=findpost&p=282909 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-07-11
| 80-kbps Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]]-HE and -LC, [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Std
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=35438&view=findpost&p=312296 HA Thread]
|-
| 2005-08-09
| 96-kbps Classical & Various
| Guruboolez
| [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[AAC]],[[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]] (Lancer), [[MPC]], [[WMA]]
| [http://forum.hardware.fr/hardwarefr/VideoSon/MP3-WMA-AAC-OGG-qualite-kbps-evaluation-sujet-84950-1.htm#t922011 Hardware.fr thread (in French)]
|-
| 2005-08-22
| 180-kbps Classical
| Guruboolez
| [[AAC]], [[MP3]], [[MPC]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]]b4
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=36465 HA Thread]
|-
| 2014-02-01
| 128-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] ([[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[FAAC]], FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[AC3]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=104471 HA Thread]
|-
| 2015-07-21
| 96-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[AAC]] (Nero, FFmpeg native), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=109716 HA Thread]
|-
| 2019-04-04
| 192-kbps Various
| Kamedo2
| [[MP3]] ([[LAME]]), [[Opus]]
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,117489.0.html HA Thread]
|}

Hydrogenaudio Listening Tests

2022-12-06T09:16:36Z

Jaybeee: /* MP3 Tests */ - ha.io thread link updated

One of the most visible ways that HydrogenAudio members have shown their enthusiasm for audio quality and their respect for [[TOS 8|scientific principles]] over the years is by organizing and participating in public blind listening tests of lossy codecs and presenting statistical analyses of the results. These results show the advantages and disadvantages of different formats and encoders and help identify which are "state of the art."

[[Private Listening Tests|Private listening tests]] also provide useful data, but the public HydrogenAudio tests are a rarity in having enough participants to both average out variations among individual listeners and still have statistically significant results.

Note that a listening test cannot really compare formats or encoder "brands." Instead, it compares particular versions of particular encoders at particular bitrates. Results will differ with different encoders, newer versions of the same encoders, or different bitrates. Use caution when extrapolating, and use the most recent results when extrapolating to the newest encoder versions.

'''Note:''' There would be no point in listening tests of [[lossless]] encoders; the decoded results are bit-identical to the original uncompressed recordings. [[Lossless comparison|Lossless encoder comparisons]] instead consider technical aspects such as compression ratio and encode/decode speed.

All tests are sorted by date, newest first. All dates are in [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-time.html ISO8601 format].

==Tests and Results==
{|class="wikitable" align="right"
!colspan=2| Result Symbol Key
|-
| > || Better than
|-
| ~ || About the same as
|-
| ~> || About the same, but slightly better than
|}

===Multiformat Tests===

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffff"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Result !! Links
|-
| 2014-07
| 96-kbps General
| Kamedo2
| [[Apple AAC]] (iTunes 11.2.2), [[Opus]] (1.1), [[Vorbis]] ([[aoTuV]] Beta6.03), [[MP3]] ([[LAME]] 3.99.5)
| Opus > Apple > MP3(V5) ~ Vorbis
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=106354 HA Thread] [http://listening-test.coresv.net/results.htm Complete Result]
|-
| 2011-04-10
| 64-kbps General
| IgorC
| [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[QuickTime AAC|Quicktime]] HE-[[AAC]], [[Opus]]
| Opus > Apple > Nero ~ Vorbis
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=87785 HA Thread] [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/igorc/results.html Complete Result]
|-
| 2007-08-16
| 64-kbps General
| Sebastian Mares
| [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[Nero AAC]], [[WMA]] Pro
| Nero > WMA Pro ~ Vorbis
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=56397 HA Thread] [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/sebastian/mf-64-1/results.htm Complete Result]
|-
| 2006-11-22
| 48-kbps General
| Sebastian Mares
| [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[Nero AAC]], [[WMA]] Pro, [[WMA]] Standard
| Nero > WMA Pro ~ Vorbis > WMA Standard
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=50408 HA Thread] [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/sebastian/mf-48-1/results.htm Complete Result]
|-
| 2006-01-13
| 128-kbps General
| Sebastian Mares
| [[QuickTime AAC]], [[Nero AAC]], [[LAME]] [[MP3]], [[Vorbis]] [[aoTuV]], [[WMA]] Pro
| 5-way tie
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=40607&view=findpost&p=357117 HA Thread] [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/sebastian/mf-128-1/results.htm Complete Result]
|}

===[[AAC]] Tests===

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#ffaaaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Result !! Links
|-
| 2020-10-17
| 128-kbps LC General
| guruboolez
| [[Fraunhofer|FhG AAC]], [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]], [[Nero AAC|Nero]], [[QuickTime AAC|QuickTime]], FFmpeg/Libavcodec
| QuickTime > FhG, FDK > rest
| [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?topic=120062.0 HA Thread]
|-
| 2011-08-20
| 96-kbps General
| IgorC
| CT, [[Fraunhofer|FhG AAC]] via Winamp (not [[Fraunhofer FDK AAC|FDK]]), [[Nero AAC|Nero]], [[QuickTime AAC|QuickTime]] TVBR & CVBR
| Quicktime CVBR ~> TVBR ~> Fraunhofer > CT > Nero
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=89765 HA Thread] [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/igorc/aac-96-a/results.html Complete result]
|-
| 2006-02-20
| 48-kbps HE-AAC General
| Gabriel
| 3gpp (v1), CT (v1 & v2), [[Nero AAC|Nero]] (v1 & v2)
| All tie for most sample types; otherwise any v1 > any v2
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=42679&hl= HA Thread] [http://www.mp3-tech.org/tests/aac_48/results.html Complete Result]
|-
| 2006-02-05
| 48-kbps HE-AAC Classical
| Ivan Dimkovic
| [[Nero AAC|Nero]] HE-AAC v1 & v2
|
| [http://www.hydrogenaud.io/forums/index.php?showtopic=41191&hl= HA Thread]
|}

===[[MP3]] Tests===

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#aaffaa"
! Date !! Title Samples !! Performed by !! Codecs !! Result !! Links
|-
| 2008-10-17
| 130-kbps General
| Sebastian Mares
| [[LAME]] 3.97, [[LAME]] 3.98.2, [[iTunes]], [[Fraunhofer|FhG MP3]], [[Xing|Helix]]
|
| {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,66564.0.html|Thread}} [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/sebastian/mp3-128-1/results.htm Complete Result]
|}

==External Tests==
Other people have held listening tests in venues outside of Hydrogenaudio (although the organizers of the tests tend to be HA members :). The results of these tests are found below:

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070720024213/http://www.ff123.net/ ff123's site on audio testing and listening tests] (most recent test 2002-07-27)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014001946/http://www.rjamorim.com/test/ Roberto's Public Listening Tests] (most recent test 2004-07-11)
* [http://listening-tests.hydrogenaud.io/sebastian/ Sebastian Mares' Listening Tests] (most recent test updated 2008-11-22)
* [http://www.soundexpert.info/ SoundExpert Listening Tests] (continually updated)

[[Category:Listening Tests]]

Xing

2022-12-06T09:09:34Z

Jaybeee: /* Helix MP3 Encoder */

The '''Xing''' (pronounced "zing") [[MP3]] encoder was one of the fastest MP3 encoders. Of course that comes with a price, and quality wasn't on par with encoders tuned for quality instead of speed, like FhG Slowenc ([[Audioactive]]) and [[LAME]]. Yet despite its reputation for poor quality, Xing's ~128 kbps VBR mode compared favorably in [http://web.archive.org/web/20071005104610/http://www.rjamorim.com/test/ an early 2004 listening test].

==Features==
* Encodes .wav to MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 layer 3 audio
* Encodes bitrates ranging from 28 to 320 kbps
* Variable Bitrate (VBR) encoding support
* High Frequency Encoding support (up to 20 kHz)
* Low data rate support
* Several times faster than most popular encoders
* Automated batch processing
* MP3 playback capabilities
* GUI based and command-line encoder front ends

==Versions==
===XingMP3 standalone encoder===
[[Image:xingmp3encoder.png|frame|right|Xing Mp3 Encoder (v1.5 GUI, main window)]]

The last standalone version of the Xing encoder was XingMP3 1.5, released in March 1999. It included a command-line interface (x3enc.exe), and a GUI (mp3enc.exe). The GUI was restricted to using a limited set of encoding profiles, whereas the command-line encoder had more options.

After that release, the encoder continued to be improved, but it was only distributed as part of the [[wikipedia:RealPlayer|RealPlayer]] bundle.

===Helix MP3 Encoder===
In 2005, RealNetworks - owners of the Xing assets after acquiring [[wikipedia:Xing Technology|Xing Technology]], a.k.a. XingTech - decided to release the encoder under an [[open source]] license, with the new name '''Helix mp3enc'''. The new version of the encoder is a code library which also has a command-line interface, but there is no GUI.

The Helix MP3 encoder is part of the Helix datatype project, a collection of code libraries intended to support the [[wikipedia:Helix (multimedia project)|Helix multimedia project]].

In November 2022 HydrogenAudio user [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?action=profile;u=1312 maikmerten] updated the encoder to include a [[LAME#VBR_header_and_LAME_tag|lametag]] to provide sample accurate encoding/decoding for VBR and CBR, plus a bug fix to the original code.

==External links==
* [https://www.rarewares.org/mp3-others.php#helix_enc Helix MP3 encoder command-line executable for Windows, at RareWares]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160105123337/https://datatype.helixcommunity.org/files/2005/mp3enc.doc Helix MP3 encoder API docs (via archive.org)]
* <s>[https://helixcommunity.org/viewcvs/datatype/mp3/codec/encoder/ Helix MP3 encoder source code (CVS)]</s>
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,35531.0.html|Related discussion (2005-2016)}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123331.0.html|Resurrecting/Preserving the Helix MP3 encoder (Nov 2022+)}}

[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]
[[Category:MP3]]

Xing

2022-12-06T09:07:01Z

Jaybeee: /* External links */

The '''Xing''' (pronounced "zing") [[MP3]] encoder was one of the fastest MP3 encoders. Of course that comes with a price, and quality wasn't on par with encoders tuned for quality instead of speed, like FhG Slowenc ([[Audioactive]]) and [[LAME]]. Yet despite its reputation for poor quality, Xing's ~128 kbps VBR mode compared favorably in [http://web.archive.org/web/20071005104610/http://www.rjamorim.com/test/ an early 2004 listening test].

==Features==
* Encodes .wav to MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 layer 3 audio
* Encodes bitrates ranging from 28 to 320 kbps
* Variable Bitrate (VBR) encoding support
* High Frequency Encoding support (up to 20 kHz)
* Low data rate support
* Several times faster than most popular encoders
* Automated batch processing
* MP3 playback capabilities
* GUI based and command-line encoder front ends

==Versions==
===XingMP3 standalone encoder===
[[Image:xingmp3encoder.png|frame|right|Xing Mp3 Encoder (v1.5 GUI, main window)]]

The last standalone version of the Xing encoder was XingMP3 1.5, released in March 1999. It included a command-line interface (x3enc.exe), and a GUI (mp3enc.exe). The GUI was restricted to using a limited set of encoding profiles, whereas the command-line encoder had more options.

After that release, the encoder continued to be improved, but it was only distributed as part of the [[wikipedia:RealPlayer|RealPlayer]] bundle.

===Helix MP3 Encoder===
In 2005, RealNetworks — owners of the Xing assets after acquiring [[wikipedia:Xing Technology|Xing Technology]], a.k.a. XingTech — decided to release the encoder under an [[open source]] license, with the new name '''Helix mp3enc'''. The new version of the encoder is a code library which also has a command-line interface, but there is no GUI.

The Helix MP3 encoder is part of the Helix datatype project, a collection of code libraries intended to support the [[wikipedia:Helix (multimedia project)|Helix multimedia project]].

In November 2022 HydrogenAudio user [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?action=profile;u=1312 maikmerten] updated the encoder to include a [[LAME#VBR_header_and_LAME_tag|lametag]] to provide sample accurate encoding/decoding for VBR and CBR, plus a bug fix to the original code.

==External links==
* [https://www.rarewares.org/mp3-others.php#helix_enc Helix MP3 encoder command-line executable for Windows, at RareWares]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160105123337/https://datatype.helixcommunity.org/files/2005/mp3enc.doc Helix MP3 encoder API docs (via archive.org)]
* <s>[https://helixcommunity.org/viewcvs/datatype/mp3/codec/encoder/ Helix MP3 encoder source code (CVS)]</s>
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,35531.0.html|Related discussion (2005-2016)}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123331.0.html|Resurrecting/Preserving the Helix MP3 encoder (Nov 2022+)}}

[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]
[[Category:MP3]]

Xing

2022-12-05T23:06:37Z

Jaybeee: Helix 5.2 update added and some links updated

The '''Xing''' (pronounced "zing") [[MP3]] encoder was one of the fastest MP3 encoders. Of course that comes with a price, and quality wasn't on par with encoders tuned for quality instead of speed, like FhG Slowenc ([[Audioactive]]) and [[LAME]]. Yet despite its reputation for poor quality, Xing's ~128 kbps VBR mode compared favorably in [http://web.archive.org/web/20071005104610/http://www.rjamorim.com/test/ an early 2004 listening test].

==Features==
* Encodes .wav to MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 layer 3 audio
* Encodes bitrates ranging from 28 to 320 kbps
* Variable Bitrate (VBR) encoding support
* High Frequency Encoding support (up to 20 kHz)
* Low data rate support
* Several times faster than most popular encoders
* Automated batch processing
* MP3 playback capabilities
* GUI based and command-line encoder front ends

==Versions==
===XingMP3 standalone encoder===
[[Image:xingmp3encoder.png|frame|right|Xing Mp3 Encoder (v1.5 GUI, main window)]]

The last standalone version of the Xing encoder was XingMP3 1.5, released in March 1999. It included a command-line interface (x3enc.exe), and a GUI (mp3enc.exe). The GUI was restricted to using a limited set of encoding profiles, whereas the command-line encoder had more options.

After that release, the encoder continued to be improved, but it was only distributed as part of the [[wikipedia:RealPlayer|RealPlayer]] bundle.

===Helix MP3 Encoder===
In 2005, RealNetworks — owners of the Xing assets after acquiring [[wikipedia:Xing Technology|Xing Technology]], a.k.a. XingTech — decided to release the encoder under an [[open source]] license, with the new name '''Helix mp3enc'''. The new version of the encoder is a code library which also has a command-line interface, but there is no GUI.

The Helix MP3 encoder is part of the Helix datatype project, a collection of code libraries intended to support the [[wikipedia:Helix (multimedia project)|Helix multimedia project]].

In November 2022 HydrogenAudio user [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?action=profile;u=1312 maikmerten] updated the encoder to include a [[LAME#VBR_header_and_LAME_tag|lametag]] to provide sample accurate encoding/decoding for VBR and CBR, plus a bug fix to the original code.

==External links==
* [https://www.rarewares.org/mp3-others.php#helix_enc Helix MP3 encoder command-line executable for Windows, at RareWares]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160105123337/https://datatype.helixcommunity.org/files/2005/mp3enc.doc Helix MP3 encoder API docs (via archive.org)]
* <s>[https://helixcommunity.org/viewcvs/datatype/mp3/codec/encoder/ Helix MP3 encoder source code (CVS)]</s>
* [https://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=35531 Related discussion in HydrogenAudio forum]
* [https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic=35531 Resurrecting/Preserving the Helix MP3 encoder (Nov 2022)]

[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]
[[Category:MP3]]

Free Lossless Audio Codec

2022-11-24T10:22:48Z

Jaybeee: v1.4.2

{{Codec Infobox
| name = FLAC
| logo = [[Image:FLAC logo.gif]]
| type = lossless
| purpose = Popular open source patent free lossless compression scheme.
| maintainer = Josh Coalson, Xiph Community
| released = {{start date and age|2001}}
| recommended_encoder = FLAC encoder
| recommended_text = FLAC v1.4.2 (22 Oct 2022)
| website = http://xiph.org/flac/
}}
'''Free Lossless Audio Codec''' ('''FLAC''') is a codec for lossless audio compression.
Grossly oversimplified, FLAC is similar to [[MP3]], but [[lossless]], meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. This is similar to how Zip works, except with FLAC you will get much better compression because it is designed specifically for audio, and you can play back compressed FLAC files in your favorite player (or your car or home stereo, if supported) just like you would a lossy file.

FLAC is natively supported in Android since version 3.1, in Windows 10, and in macOS High Sierra 10.13.

== General aspects of the format ==
FLAC is freely available and supported on most operating systems, including Windows, UNIX (Linux, *BSD, Solaris, OS X, IRIX), BeOS, OS/2, and Amiga. There are build systems for autotools, MSVC, Watcom C, and Project Builder.

The FLAC project consists of:
* the stream format
* reference encoders and decoders in library form
* flac, a command-line program to encode and decode FLAC files
* metaflac, a command-line metadata editor for FLAC files
* input plugins for various music players

When it's said that FLAC is ''free'', it means more than just that it is available at no cost. It means that the specification of the format is fully open to the public to be used for any purpose, although the FLAC project reserves the right to set the FLAC specification and certify compliance. It also means that neither the FLAC format nor any of the implemented encoding/decoding methods are covered by any known patent. And it means that all the source code is available under [http://xiph.org/flac/license.html open-source licenses]. It is the first truly open and free lossless audio format.

== Features ==
* '''Lossless:''' The encoding of audio (PCM) data incurs no loss of information, and the decoded audio is bit-for-bit identical to what went into the encoder. Each frame contains a 16-bit CRC of the frame data for detecting transmission errors. The integrity of the audio data is further insured by storing an MD5 signature of the original unencoded audio data in the file header, which can be compared against later during decoding or testing.
* '''Fast:''' FLAC is asymmetric in favor of decode speed. Decoding requires only integer arithmetic, and is much less compute-intensive than for most perceptual codecs. Real-time decode performance is easily achievable on even modest hardware.
* '''Hardware support:''' Because of FLAC's free reference implementation, low decoding complexity and popularity, FLAC has relatively widespread hardware support compared to other lossless formats.
* '''Streamable:''' Each FLAC frame contains enough data to decode that frame. FLAC does not even rely on previous or following frames. FLAC uses sync codes and CRCs (similar to MPEG and other formats), which, along with framing, allow decoders to pick up in the middle of a stream with a minimum of delay.
* '''Seekable:''' FLAC supports fast sample-accurate seeking. Not only is this useful for playback, it makes FLAC files suitable for use in editing applications.
* '''Flexible metadata:''' New metadata blocks can be defined and implemented in future versions of FLAC without breaking older streams or decoders. Currently there are metadata types for tags, cue sheets, and seek tables. Applications can write their own APPLICATION metadata once they register an ID.
* '''Suitable for archiving:''' FLAC is an open format, and there is no generation loss if you need to convert your data to another format in the future. In addition to the frame CRCs and MD5 signature, FLAC has a verify option that decodes the encoded stream in parallel with the encoding process and compares the result to the original, aborting with an error if there is a mismatch.
* '''Convenient CD archiving:''' FLAC has a ''cue sheet'' metadata block for storing a CD table of contents and all track and index points. For instance, you can rip a CD to a single file, then import the CD's extracted cue sheet while encoding to yield a single file representation of the entire CD. If your original CD is damaged, the cue sheet can be exported later in order to burn an exact copy.
* '''Error resistant:''' Because of FLAC's framing, stream errors limit the damage to the frame in which the error occurred, typically a small fraction of a second worth of data. Contrast this with some other lossless codecs, in which a single error destroys the remainder of the stream.

== Pros ==
* Portable to many systems
* Open source and freely licensed
* Hardware support (PhatBox, Kenwood MusicKeg, Rio Karma, etc. See below)
* Streaming support
* Extremely fast decoding
* Supports multichannel and high resolution streams
* Supports [[ReplayGain]]
* Supports cue-sheet (with some limitations)
* Gaining wide use as successor to [[Shorten]]

== Cons ==
* Compresses less efficiently than other popular modern compressors ([[Monkey's Audio]], [[OptimFROG]])
* Higher compression modes slow, for little gain over the default setting.

== Hardware and software that support FLAC ==
For a more comprehensive list see the [http://xiph.org/flac/links.html FLAC links page].

=== Hardware ===
==== Car stereo ====
* Kenwood [http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/audiofile/index.php?model=KMM KMM series]
* Pioneer [http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/121/61/overview.html Car Stereo] (search FLAC)
* JVC [http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?pathId=139 KD-X "Digital Media Receivers" series] (almost all)
* Soundstream [http://soundstream.com/store/car-video/source-units.html Source Units]
* Tesla Model S
* Citroën DS5
* Volvo Sensus (SPA Platform)

==== Home stereo ====
* Olive's [http://www.olive.us/ Symphony] wireless digital music center
* [http://www.numark.com/ Numark]'s DJ equipment (HDX and CDX turntables, HDMIX mixer)
* [http://www.sonos.com/ Sonos Digital Music System]
* Slim Devices' [http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_squeezebox.html Squeezebox] networked audio players

==== Portable ====
* [[Apple iPod]] with [[Rockbox]] firmware
* [[iAudio M3]], M5 and X5
* [[iRiver]] iHP-120/iHP-140 with [[Rockbox]] firmware
* [[Iwod G10]]
* [[Rio Karma]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SanDisk_Sansa SanDisk Sansa]
* TrekStor's [http://www.trekstor.de/en/products/detail_mp3.php?pid=66 Vibez]
* Devices running Android 3.1+
* [[Pono|Pono Player]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiiO_X_Series FiiO X Series]

== Software ==

==== Players Software ====

*Windows
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[MediaMonkey]]
*# [[MusicBee]]
*# [[Winamp]]
*# [https://www.aimp.ru/ AIMP]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [http://www.un4seen.com/ XMPlay]
*# [http://mplayerwin.sourceforge.net/ MPlayer] Console player

*Mac
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [http://cogx.org/ Cog]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [http://coppertino.com/ VOX]

*Linux
*# [http://www.clementine-player.org/ Clementine]
*# [http://www.mplayerhq.hu/ MPlayer]
*# [http://www.mythtv.org/ MythTV]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [[XMMS]]

*Android
*# [https://powerampapp.com/ Poweramp]
*# [https://www.aimp.ru/ AIMP]
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[VLC]]

===Frontends (Windows)===
* [[foobar2000]] Music Converter / Audio Player
* [https://moisescardona.me/flac-gui/ FLAC GUI] (By Moisés Cardona)
* <s> FLAC frontend (ktf) </s>
* <s> Windows Frontend (by Speek) </s>

===Frontends (Mac)===
* [http://www.sbooth.org/Max/ Max]

===Converters===
*for a more comprehensive list [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#Transcoders here]
*# [http://www.dbpoweramp.com/ dBpowerAMP] Music Converter / Audio Player / CD Writer
*# [[ MediaMonkey]] Music Manager / Audio Player / CD Writer
*# [[fre:ac]] Music Converter / CD Writer/Ripper
*# [[foobar2000]] Music Converter / Audio Player

===Editors===
*List of popular audio editors
*# [[Audacity]]
*# [[Adobe Audition]]
*# [http://www.goldwave.com/ GoldWave]

===CD writers/rippers===
*for a comprehensive list of CD/DVD [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#CD.2FDVD_Writers Writers] & [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#CD_Rippers rippers]
*# [http://www.nero.com/eng/ Nero]
*# [http://cdburnerxp.se/ CDBurnerXP] CD writer
*# [[MediaMonkey]] - CD ripper/writer
*# [[Exact Audio Copy]] CD Ripper
*# [http://www.cdwave.com/ CD Wave]
*# [http://arson.sourceforge.net/ Arson]
*#  Burrrn  Audio CD burner
*#  CDex CD ripper

===Taggers===
*for a comprehensive list of tag editors [[http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#Tagging_Utilities here]]
*# [[Mp3tag]] - Universal Tag Editor
*# [http://www.xdlab.ru/en/ TagScanner] - "The Ultimate Tag Editor"
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[MediaMonkey]] - Tagger / Music manager (Including multiple and linked album art support)
*# [http://www.jtclipper.eu/thegodfather/ The GodFather] - Tagger / Music manager
*# [http://sbooth.org/Tag/ Tag] - for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
*# <s>[http://www.synthetic-soul.co.uk/tag/ Case's Tag] - Command line tagger </s>
*# [https://xiph.org/flac/documentation_tools_metaflac.html metaflac] - for general metadata (including Vorbis comments) maintenance

==== Other tools ====
* [http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/ mkvtoolnix] - tool to multiplex FLAC streams inside the Matroska container
* [https://xiph.org/flac/documentation_tools_metaflac.html metaflac] - for general metadata (including Vorbis comments) maintenance, also to calculate [[ReplayGain]] values for FLAC files lacking such

== Frequently asked questions ==
''Question:'' Does the compression level affect decompression speed?

''Short Answer'': No.

''Long Answer'': In truth, the compression level does affect the decompression speed, but the difference between the various compress levels can barely be measured and is too small to be noticed, even on low-end machines.

''Question:'' What is the best compression level for encoding my music?

''Short Answer'': The default setting, 5.

''Long Answer'': Encoding at the default setting will give the best balance between compression and encoding speed. Encoding at 8 can more than quadruple the encoding time, while having an insignificant effect on compression.

== See also ==
* [[Lossless]]
* [[Lossless comparison]]
* [[FLAC decoder testbench]]

== External links ==
* [http://xiph.org/flac/ FLAC homepage]
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/board,67.0.html|FLAC discussion board}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123025.0.html|FLAC v1.4.x Performance Tests}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123234.0.html|FLAC 1.4.2 topic}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,122949.0.html|FLAC 1.4.0 topic}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,118008.msg974100/topicseen.html#new|FLAC 1.3.3 topic}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107611.0.html|FLAC 1.3.1 topic}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107913.0.html|FLAC 1.3.1 non-SSE2 build for older CPUs}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107990.0.html|Lossless codec comparison (Jan ’15)}} by [http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?action=profile;u=68263 ktf] graphs the influence of the chosen encoding level on the encoding and decoding performance of FLAC 1.3.1 and various other lossless codecs. Omion's older test, "[http://web.archive.org/web/20091108104748/http://people.ucsc.edu/~rswilson/flactest File Size vs. Decoding Speed]", covers the influence of the chosen encoding level on the decoding speed of FLAC 1.2.1.

[[Category:Codecs]]
[[Category:Lossless]]
[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]

Apple AAC

2022-10-17T08:21:16Z

Jaybeee: updated qaac release version to 2.76

{{aac-encoders}}
'''Apple AAC''' is an [[AAC]] codec developed by Apple Inc. and included in Apple's audio framework, ''Core Audio''. ''Core Audio'' is used in [[iTunes]], Safari web browser, and other Apple products. Apple's AAC encoder is known to be one of the highest quality medium-bitrate [[CBR]] and [[VBR]] LC [[AAC]] encoders. The encoder started as part of the ''QuickTime'' media framework, but Apple has transitioned away from ''QuickTime'', to ''AV Foundation''.

The encoder does consistently well in [[Hydrogenaudio Listening Tests|Hydrogenaudio listening tests]].

 
== afconvert ==
Apple's macOS includes a command-line utility for transcoding audio files that employs this encoder when encoding to AAC.

Usage:
afconvert [options] <infile> <outfile>

Options:
;-f --file <string>:File format. Several; use 'm4af' for '.m4a' file or 'adts' for raw '.aac' file.
;-d --data <string>:Data format. Several; use 'aac'.
;-s --strategy <0,1,2,3>:Bitrate allocation strategy. 0 for CBR, 1 for ABR, 2 for VBR_constrained, 3 for VBR
;-b --bitrate <n>:Bitrate in bits per second. Does nothing when used with strategy 3.
;-ue vbrq <0-127>:Output quality for VBR mode. Only applicable when using strategy 3.
;-q --quality <0-127>:Speed/quality trade-off. Internally rounded to a value of either 32, 64, or 96.

== QAAC ==
{{Software Infobox
| name = qaac
| logo =
| screenshot =
| caption =
| maintainer = nu774
| stable_release = 2.76
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows
| use = Encoder
| license = Various
| website = [https://github.com/nu774/qaac github/qaac]
}}

QAAC is an open-source wrapper for ''Core Audio's'' AAC and [[ALAC]] encoders that allow them to be used directly in applications that don't otherwise use ''Core Audio''. It exists only for Windows.

* [https://github.com/nu774/qaac/wiki QAAC documentation]

 

==External links==
*[http://www.apple.com/quicktime Apple's Quicktime Website]

Free Lossless Audio Codec

2022-09-18T18:42:16Z

Jaybeee: v1.4.0 release added

{{Codec Infobox
| name = FLAC
| logo = [[Image:FLAC logo.gif]]
| type = lossless
| purpose = Popular open source patent free lossless compression scheme.
| maintainer = Josh Coalson, Xiph Community
| released = {{start date and age|2001}}
| recommended_encoder = FLAC encoder
| recommended_text = FLAC v1.4.0 (09 Sep 2022)
| website = http://xiph.org/flac/
}}
'''Free Lossless Audio Codec''' ('''FLAC''') is a codec for lossless audio compression.
Grossly oversimplified, FLAC is similar to [[MP3]], but [[lossless]], meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. This is similar to how Zip works, except with FLAC you will get much better compression because it is designed specifically for audio, and you can play back compressed FLAC files in your favorite player (or your car or home stereo, if supported) just like you would a lossy file.

FLAC is natively supported in Android since version 3.1, in Windows 10, and in macOS High Sierra 10.13.

== General aspects of the format ==
FLAC is freely available and supported on most operating systems, including Windows, UNIX (Linux, *BSD, Solaris, OS X, IRIX), BeOS, OS/2, and Amiga. There are build systems for autotools, MSVC, Watcom C, and Project Builder.

The FLAC project consists of:
* the stream format
* reference encoders and decoders in library form
* flac, a command-line program to encode and decode FLAC files
* metaflac, a command-line metadata editor for FLAC files
* input plugins for various music players

When it's said that FLAC is ''free'', it means more than just that it is available at no cost. It means that the specification of the format is fully open to the public to be used for any purpose, although the FLAC project reserves the right to set the FLAC specification and certify compliance. It also means that neither the FLAC format nor any of the implemented encoding/decoding methods are covered by any known patent. And it means that all the source code is available under [http://xiph.org/flac/license.html open-source licenses]. It is the first truly open and free lossless audio format.

== Features ==
* '''Lossless:''' The encoding of audio (PCM) data incurs no loss of information, and the decoded audio is bit-for-bit identical to what went into the encoder. Each frame contains a 16-bit CRC of the frame data for detecting transmission errors. The integrity of the audio data is further insured by storing an MD5 signature of the original unencoded audio data in the file header, which can be compared against later during decoding or testing.
* '''Fast:''' FLAC is asymmetric in favor of decode speed. Decoding requires only integer arithmetic, and is much less compute-intensive than for most perceptual codecs. Real-time decode performance is easily achievable on even modest hardware.
* '''Hardware support:''' Because of FLAC's free reference implementation, low decoding complexity and popularity, FLAC has relatively widespread hardware support compared to other lossless formats.
* '''Streamable:''' Each FLAC frame contains enough data to decode that frame. FLAC does not even rely on previous or following frames. FLAC uses sync codes and CRCs (similar to MPEG and other formats), which, along with framing, allow decoders to pick up in the middle of a stream with a minimum of delay.
* '''Seekable:''' FLAC supports fast sample-accurate seeking. Not only is this useful for playback, it makes FLAC files suitable for use in editing applications.
* '''Flexible metadata:''' New metadata blocks can be defined and implemented in future versions of FLAC without breaking older streams or decoders. Currently there are metadata types for tags, cue sheets, and seek tables. Applications can write their own APPLICATION metadata once they register an ID.
* '''Suitable for archiving:''' FLAC is an open format, and there is no generation loss if you need to convert your data to another format in the future. In addition to the frame CRCs and MD5 signature, FLAC has a verify option that decodes the encoded stream in parallel with the encoding process and compares the result to the original, aborting with an error if there is a mismatch.
* '''Convenient CD archiving:''' FLAC has a ''cue sheet'' metadata block for storing a CD table of contents and all track and index points. For instance, you can rip a CD to a single file, then import the CD's extracted cue sheet while encoding to yield a single file representation of the entire CD. If your original CD is damaged, the cue sheet can be exported later in order to burn an exact copy.
* '''Error resistant:''' Because of FLAC's framing, stream errors limit the damage to the frame in which the error occurred, typically a small fraction of a second worth of data. Contrast this with some other lossless codecs, in which a single error destroys the remainder of the stream.

== Pros ==
* Portable to many systems
* Open source and freely licensed
* Hardware support (PhatBox, Kenwood MusicKeg, Rio Karma, etc. See below)
* Streaming support
* Extremely fast decoding
* Supports multichannel and high resolution streams
* Supports [[ReplayGain]]
* Supports cue-sheet (with some limitations)
* Gaining wide use as successor to [[Shorten]]

== Cons ==
* Compresses less efficiently than other popular modern compressors ([[Monkey's Audio]], [[OptimFROG]])
* Higher compression modes slow, for little gain over the default setting.

== Hardware and software that support FLAC ==
For a more comprehensive list see the [http://xiph.org/flac/links.html FLAC links page].

=== Hardware ===
==== Car stereo ====
* Kenwood [http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/audiofile/index.php?model=KMM KMM series]
* Pioneer [http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/121/61/overview.html Car Stereo] (search FLAC)
* JVC [http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?pathId=139 KD-X "Digital Media Receivers" series] (almost all)
* Soundstream [http://soundstream.com/store/car-video/source-units.html Source Units]
* Tesla Model S
* Citroën DS5
* Volvo Sensus (SPA Platform)

==== Home stereo ====
* Olive's [http://www.olive.us/ Symphony] wireless digital music center
* [http://www.numark.com/ Numark]'s DJ equipment (HDX and CDX turntables, HDMIX mixer)
* [http://www.sonos.com/ Sonos Digital Music System]
* Slim Devices' [http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_squeezebox.html Squeezebox] networked audio players

==== Portable ====
* [[Apple iPod]] with [[Rockbox]] firmware
* [[iAudio M3]], M5 and X5
* [[iRiver]] iHP-120/iHP-140 with [[Rockbox]] firmware
* [[Iwod G10]]
* [[Rio Karma]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SanDisk_Sansa SanDisk Sansa]
* TrekStor's [http://www.trekstor.de/en/products/detail_mp3.php?pid=66 Vibez]
* Devices running Android 3.1+
* [[Pono|Pono Player]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiiO_X_Series FiiO X Series]

== Software ==

==== Players Software ====

*Windows
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[MediaMonkey]]
*# [[MusicBee]]
*# [[Winamp]]
*# [https://www.aimp.ru/ AIMP]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [http://www.un4seen.com/ XMPlay]
*# [http://mplayerwin.sourceforge.net/ MPlayer] Console player

*Mac
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [http://cogx.org/ Cog]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [http://coppertino.com/ VOX]

*Linux
*# [http://www.clementine-player.org/ Clementine]
*# [http://www.mplayerhq.hu/ MPlayer]
*# [http://www.mythtv.org/ MythTV]
*# [[VLC]]
*# [[XMMS]]

*Android
*# [https://powerampapp.com/ Poweramp]
*# [https://www.aimp.ru/ AIMP]
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[VLC]]

===Frontends (Windows)===
* [[foobar2000]] Music Converter / Audio Player
* [https://moisescardona.me/flac-gui/ FLAC GUI] (By Moisés Cardona)
* <s> FLAC frontend (ktf) </s>
* <s> Windows Frontend (by Speek) </s>

===Frontends (Mac)===
* [http://www.sbooth.org/Max/ Max]

===Converters===
*for a more comprehensive list [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#Transcoders here]
*# [http://www.dbpoweramp.com/ dBpowerAMP] Music Converter / Audio Player / CD Writer
*# [[ MediaMonkey]] Music Manager / Audio Player / CD Writer
*# [[fre:ac]] Music Converter / CD Writer/Ripper
*# [[foobar2000]] Music Converter / Audio Player

===Editors===
*List of popular audio editors
*# [[Audacity]]
*# [[Adobe Audition]]
*# [http://www.goldwave.com/ GoldWave]

===CD writers/rippers===
*for a comprehensive list of CD/DVD [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#CD.2FDVD_Writers Writers] & [http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#CD_Rippers rippers]
*# [http://www.nero.com/eng/ Nero]
*# [http://cdburnerxp.se/ CDBurnerXP] CD writer
*# [[MediaMonkey]] - CD ripper/writer
*# [[Exact Audio Copy]] CD Ripper
*# [http://www.cdwave.com/ CD Wave]
*# [http://arson.sourceforge.net/ Arson]
*#  Burrrn  Audio CD burner
*#  CDex CD ripper

===Taggers===
*for a comprehensive list of tag editors [[http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Download_page#Tagging_Utilities here]]
*# [[Mp3tag]] - Universal Tag Editor
*# [http://www.xdlab.ru/en/ TagScanner] - "The Ultimate Tag Editor"
*# [[foobar2000]]
*# [[MediaMonkey]] - Tagger / Music manager (Including multiple and linked album art support)
*# [http://www.jtclipper.eu/thegodfather/ The GodFather] - Tagger / Music manager
*# [http://sbooth.org/Tag/ Tag] - for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
*# <s>[http://www.synthetic-soul.co.uk/tag/ Case's Tag] - Command line tagger </s>
*# [https://xiph.org/flac/documentation_tools_metaflac.html metaflac] - for general metadata (including Vorbis comments) maintenance

==== Other tools ====
* [http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/ mkvtoolnix] - tool to multiplex FLAC streams inside the Matroska container
* [https://xiph.org/flac/documentation_tools_metaflac.html metaflac] - for general metadata (including Vorbis comments) maintenance, also to calculate [[ReplayGain]] values for FLAC files lacking such

== Frequently asked questions ==
''Question:'' Does the compression level affect decompression speed?

''Short Answer'': No.

''Long Answer'': In truth, the compression level does affect the decompression speed, but the difference between the various compress levels can barely be measured and is too small to be noticed, even on low-end machines.

''Question:'' What is the best compression level for encoding my music?

''Short Answer'': The default setting, 5.

''Long Answer'': Encoding at the default setting will give the best balance between compression and encoding speed. Encoding at 8 can more than quadruple the encoding time, while having an insignificant effect on compression.

== See also ==
* [[Lossless]]
* [[Lossless comparison]]
* [[FLAC decoder testbench]]

== External links ==
* [http://xiph.org/flac/ FLAC homepage]
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/board,67.0.html|FLAC discussion board}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,122949.0.html|FLAC 1.4.0 topic}}
* {{ha|https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,118008.msg974100/topicseen.html#new|FLAC 1.3.3 topic}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107611.0.html|FLAC 1.3.1 topic}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107913.0.html|FLAC 1.3.1 non-SSE2 build for older CPUs}}
* {{ha|http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,107990.0.html|Lossless codec comparison (Jan ’15)}} by [http://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?action=profile;u=68263 ktf] graphs the influence of the chosen encoding level on the encoding and decoding performance of FLAC 1.3.1 and various other lossless codecs. Omion's older test, "[http://web.archive.org/web/20091108104748/http://people.ucsc.edu/~rswilson/flactest File Size vs. Decoding Speed]", covers the influence of the chosen encoding level on the decoding speed of FLAC 1.2.1.

[[Category:Codecs]]
[[Category:Lossless]]
[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]

TAK

2021-10-24T13:38:27Z

Jaybeee: linkified lossless in first sentence

{{Codec Infobox
| name = Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor
| logo =
| type = lossless
| purpose = (T)om's verlustfreier (A)udio(k)ompressor
| maintainer = Thomas Becker
| recommended_encoder = TAK encoder
| recommended_text = TAK v2.3.0 (2013-06-18)
| website = [http://thbeck.de/Tak/Tak.html ThBeck.de/Tak/Tak.html] ''(German)''
}}

== Description ==
'''Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor''' ('''TAK''') is a [[lossless]] audio compressor which promises compression performance similar to [[Monkey's Audio]] “High” and decompression speed similar to [[Free Lossless Audio Codec|FLAC]].

=== Features ===
* High compression
* Fast compression and decompression speed
* Streaming support (necessary headers for decompressing the audio are written to the stream every 2 seconds)
* Piping support for encoding
* Error tolerance (single bit error will never affect more than 250 ms)
* Error detection (each frame protected by a 24-bit checksum (CRC))
* High-resolution (up to 24-bit/channel) audio support
* Support for up to 192 Khz Audio
* Seeking without seek table
* APEv2 tags supported at end of file

=== Pros ===
* Fast encoding speed (while providing better compression TAK encodes as fast as [[Free Lossless Audio Codec|FLAC]] -8 in TAK's “Insane” and several times faster in “Turbo” mode)
* Fast decompression speed (on par with FLAC / [[WavPack]])
* Good compression levels (on par with [[Monkey's Audio]] High)
* Error Robustness
* Fast Seeking

=== Cons ===
* Closed Source
* No hardware support

== Software support ==
=== Windows ===
* [http://thbeck.de/Download/TAK_2.3.0.zip TAK 2.3.0] - Official release which consists of a CLI, a GUI, a [[Winamp]] plugin, the SDK, and the decoding library.
* [http://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_input_tak TAK Decoder 0.4.8] - Plugin for [[foobar2000]] (supports tagging and [[ReplayGain]]).
* [http://www.liviocavallo.altervista.org/ dsfTAKSource 0.0.1.6] - DirectShow source filter which uses the official decoding library to play TAK-files in Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic - Home Cinema, Zoom Player and alike.
* [http://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/dc-bsm/index.htm DC-Bass Source Mod] - DirectShow source filter which uses the official decoding library to play TAK-files, amongst many others, in any DirectShow media player (as mentioned above).
* [http://code.google.com/p/lavfilters/ LAV Filters] - Set of open-source DirectShow filters which uses [https://ffmpeg.org/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2012-September/131785.html FFMpeg's reverse-engineered decoder] to play TAK-files in any DirectShow media player.
* [http://www.videolan.org/vlc VLC Media Player] - Can: transcode from/play (no encoding); since at least version 2.2.0
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/mpcbe/ Media Player Classic - BE] - DirectShow media player with an internal TAK source filter which uses FFMpeg's reverse-engineered decoder to play TAK-files. The internal TAK source filter also supports embedded cue-sheets.
* [[Mp3tag]] – universal tag editor with support for TAK
* [http://shnutils.freeshell.org/shntool/ shntool] (since version 3.0.6)
* [http://picard.musicbrainz.org/ MusicBrainz Picard] (since version 0.11)

=== Linux ===
* ffmpeg can demux, decode and parse TAK since commit d7a473926504e2acfa6ae3bead0938e1f4e03441:[http://git.videolan.org/?p=ffmpeg.git;a=commit;h=d7a473926504e2acfa6ae3bead0938e1f4e03441]. First official release that supports TAK decoding is 1.1.
* The GUI program (Tak.exe) and the command-line program (Takc.exe) work with [http://www.winehq.org/ Wine].
* <s>[http://caudec.net/ caudec]</s> is a command-line tool that can encode and decode TAK files, using the official binary (Takc.exe) with Wine (see: <s>[http://caudec.net/documentation/windowscodecs/ installation instructions]</s>). Caudec can also test file integrity and compute (and tag) Replaygain data. While it hasn't been tested at the time of writing, it is possible that TAK support in caudec works on OS X as well.
* [http://picard.musicbrainz.org/ MusicBrainz Picard] (since version 0.11)

== Hardware support ==
* None

== Recommended Settings ==
* Default compression: “-p2” (formerly ''Normal'') is the most attractive setting, providing an excellent compromise between compression and encoding speed. (At compression levels close to [[Monkey's Audio]] High (<0.4% difference), it is able to encode more quickly.)
takc -e [input file]
* Highest compression: “-pMax” (same as -p4m) (This will create files which are comparable in size to file created using [[Monkey's Audio]] High. Decompression speed is comparable to [[WavPack]] Normal.)
takc -e -pMax [input file]
* Fastest compression: “-p0” (This will create files which are comparable in size to [[Monkey's Audio]] Fast or [[WavPack]] High. Decompression speed is comparable to [[Free Lossless Audio Codec|FLAC]] 0.)
takc -e -p0 [input file]

=== TAK Performance Graph ===
[[Image:TAK_performance_graph_1-0-4.png|frame|center|Graph showing encoding and decoding rate against compression, using data from Synthetic Soul's test on TAK 1.0.4 (see [[TAK#External Links|External Links]])]]

== Using TAK ==
=== TAK with [[foobar2000]] ===
* Copy the takc.exe to your [[foobar2000]] directory
* Go to File → Preferences → Tools → Converter
* Set it up as shown:
[[Image:Tak_foobar_converter.png|frame|center|Screenshot of foobar 0.9.5 Converter settings for TAK 1.0.3]]
'''Note:''' replace -p2 with the desired compression level.

* TAK introduced encoding from STDIN in version 1.0.3, eliminating the need for a temporary file and greatly improving overall compression time. If you are using an earlier version of TAK use the following command line instead:
-e -p2 %s %d
* Use [[APEv2 specification|APEv2]] tagging (will be used as internal tagging)

=== TAK with EAC ===
Please read the [[EAC and TAK|wiki guide]], which details how to create TAK files with [[Exact Audio Copy|EAC]].

=== Converting TAK using pipe ===
Takc.exe -d input.tak - | lame.exe -V 6 - output.mp3
Takc.exe -d input.tak - | opusenc.exe --bitrate 64 - output.opus
Takc.exe -d input.tak - | flac.exe -8 - -o output.flac
Takc.exe -d input.tak - | wavpack.exe -hhx - output.wv

flac.exe -dc input.flac | Takc.exe -e -pMax - output.tak
wvunpack.exe input.wv - | Takc.exe -e -pMax - output.tak
ffmpeg.exe -i input.xxx -f wav - | Takc.exe -e -pMax '''-ihs''' - output.tak

== Future Features ==
* Unicode support
* MD5 audio checksums for verification and identification
* A German version
* Embedded cue sheets
* Embedded cover art
* Multichannel audio

== Frequently Asked Questions ==
; Is the codec safe for use/definitely lossless?
: Yes, TAK is verified as being lossless, as determined through rigorous testing by the author and satisfied users. To check, convert a WAV to TAK and back and compare the two, for instance using [[Foobar2000:Foobar2000|foobar2000]]'s [[Foobar2000:Components/Binary Comparator (foo_bitcompare)|Binary Comparator]].
; Why should I use TAK?
: TAK offers high ratios of compression but also great decoding speeds.
; What can I compress with TAK?
: TAK 1.0 can compress any integer-format (up to 24 bits per channel) PCM RIFF WAVE file (.WAV). Piping support is implemented as of v1.0.3, so converting lossless files to WAV first is not necessary: users can simply pipe the decompressed output from their decoder of choice directly into TAK's encoder.
; What about hardware support?
: There is none at the moment. However, ''-p0'', ''-p1'' and ''-p2'' are the candidates for most suitable settings for hardware.
; Will the source be opened?
: The official encoder and decoder are currently closed-source. Thomas has expressed an intention to open the source of the decoder at some point in time, stipulating preconditions of its first being further refined, ported to C or C++, and documented. This may or may not lead to releases of other code. However, as of June of 2013, he feels that “a lot of (not very exciting) work is required” until the decoding source would be ready to be published, and that may or may not happen in the foreseeable future. Such questions generally generate more noise than fruitful discussion, so it is best to wait and see what happens. In any case, there is an independently implemented open source decoder available, bundled with ffmpeg.

== External Links ==
* [http://thbeck.de/Tak/Tak.html thbeck.de/Tak/Tak.html] – Official Website ''(german)''
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=101386 TAK 2.3.0 Discussion Thread on HA] ''(english)''
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=89610 TAK 2.2.0 Discussion Thread on HA] ''(english)''
* <s>[http://synthetic-soul.co.uk/comparison/lossless/ synthetic-soul.co.uk/comparison/lossless] – Comparison with Other Codecs (by Synthetic Soul) </s>
* [http://flac.sourceforge.net/comparison.html flac.sourceforge.net/comparison.html] – An Updated Comparison (from FLAC Homepage)

[[Category:Lossless]]
[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]

Cue sheet

2018-01-06T12:09:47Z

Jaybeee: added cuegenerator as a very useful online/browser-based cue sheet creator

A '''cue sheet''' (or '''CUE file''', '''.cue''', '''CUE sheet''', etc.) is a formatted text file which provides index and other supplemental information for one or more audio files. A cue sheet is generally used in conjunction with either extracting from or burning to [[Compact Disc|CD]]. For example, when a CD's complete audio content has been ripped to a single file, a cue sheet contains information about the track boundaries, and CD-R burning software can use it to make a copy of the original CD with the same track layout as the original. Cue sheets can also be used when writing data CDs.

Increasingly, cue sheets are being used as playlists: you load the cue sheet in a media player, and it can play an "image" (single-file) rip as if it were separate files, one for each track. Cue sheets can be used for file-per-track rips as well, but many such rips require that the cue sheet not adhere strictly to the original specification's rules.

==Cue sheet contents==
All cue sheets contain the following info:
* The name & type of at least one file being indexed (an audio file, normally);
* A numbered list of tracks each file corresponds to or contains;
* The start point (index 01) for each track, time-wise (MM:SS:FF format).

Cue sheets may contain the following additional info:
* CD-Text [[metadata]] such as performer, title, songwriter for the disc and/or each track;
* ISRCs (sound recording IDs to burn)
* Special flags for CD burning (e.g. for pre-emphasis)
* Gap info (how much silence to insert before or after each track)
* Comments (which are used by some programs to store nonstandard metadata like genre, freeDB disc ID, etc.)

A cue sheet isn't necessary to make an exact copy of the audio portion of a CD; ripping & burning software will get you the audio wave data and can figure out where each track starts. However, a cue sheet ''can'' be used to specify the location of the first track (if it deviates from the standard), as well as certain subcode information, such as non-01 index points, CD-TEXT (which may not exist on the original CD), UPC/ISRC data, and [[pre-emphasis]] information.

A cue sheet ''is'' required to burn "hidden track one audio" ([[HTOA]]), which is audio that can only be played after scanning backwards from the beginning of track 1. A cue sheet may be needed when silent frames have been omitted from the beginning or end of files to be burned; the cue sheet can be used to reconstruct the pauses by telling the burner or player where to insert silence. A cue sheet may also be needed when there is a mix of audio and data tracks to be burned (unless the burning software is told which tracks are which).

== History ==
The cue sheet format was invented by Jeff Arnold of [http://web.archive.org/web/20070217191217/http://www.goldenhawk.com/ GoldenHawk Technology] for use with his [[DAO]] ('''D'''isc '''A'''t '''O'''nce) and [http://web.archive.org/web/20070217191217/http://www.goldenhawk.com/ CDRWIN] applications. The format has since been adopted as the ''de facto'' standard, and is used by various other applications, including the audio player [[foobar2000]]. The official cue sheet specification is widely accepted to be Appendix A of the CDRWIN User's Guide.

The name is taken from the '''SEND CUE SHEET''' command (as defined in the ''SCSI-3 Multimedia Commands'' specification), used for sending a binary-format cue sheet describing the disc layout to the drive before writing starts in SAO (Session-At-Once) write mode. The drive writes to the disc, using the cue sheet information to generate the P and Q subchannel data, and to retrieve the format and block size of the data transferred with the '''WRITE''' command.<ref>Text adapted from [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=42485&view=findpost&p=374579 a post by Martin H].</ref>

The DAO and CDRWIN software was developed for use on MS-DOS and early Windows systems, when it was common to refer to types of files by their file name extensions, in all-caps: TXT for text, DOC for Word document, and so on. Early references to cue sheets likewise referred to ''CUE files''. This convention continues to the present day, but the ''cue'' in the term ''cue sheet'' is not an acronym and need not be capitalized.

== Cue sheet commands ==
The following commands are detailed in the Appendix A of the [http://web.archive.org/web/20070221154246/http://www.goldenhawk.com/download/cdrwin.pdf CDRWIN User's Guide]:
* CATALOG – A 13-digit UPC/EAN code.
* CDTEXTFILE – A path to a file containing CD-Text info.
* FILE – A path to a file containing audio data, and to which subsequent commands apply.
* FLAGS – Per-track subcode flag(s).
* INDEX – Per-track index(es).
* ISRC – Per-track ISRC(s).
* PERFORMER – Per-disc or per-track performer name for CD-Text data.
* POSTGAP – Amount of post-track silence to add.
* PREGAP – Amount of pre-track silence to add.
* REM – A remark/comment to be ignored.
* SONGWRITER – Per-disc or per-track songwriter name for CD-Text data.
* TITLE – Per-disc or per-track title for CD-Text data.
* TRACK – Type of track to create, and to which subsequent commands apply.

=== Most often used ===
;FILE
:The FILE command specifies the file that the cue sheet is currently referencing. Valid file types are WAVE, MP3, AIFF, BINARY and MOTOROLA. Other formats, such as the lossless formats [[WavPack]] or [[FLAC]], can also be used under the WAVE file type.
;INDEX
:A number between 00 and 99. Index points are specified in MM:SS:FF format, and are relative to the start of the file currently referenced. MM is the number of minutes, SS the number of seconds, and FF the number of frames (there are seventy five frames to one second). INDEX 01 commands specify the beginning of a new track. INDEX 00 commands specify the pre-gap of a track; you may notice your [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Audio CD]] player count up from a negative value before beginning a new track - this is the period between INDEX 00 and INDEX 01.
;PERFORMER
:At top-level this will specify the CD artist, while at track-level it specifies the track artist.
;PREGAP
:Used to specify the length of a track pre-gap, in MM:SS:FF format. Although the SCSI specs reserve the term ''pre-gap'' for the pause before a data track, in a cue sheet the PREGAP command can be used to create a pause before any kind of track, data or audio.
;REM
:Used to record comments in a cue sheet. This command is often used to store additional meta data to TITLE and PERFORMER, e.g.: the date or genre of the disc.
;TITLE
:At top-level this will specify the album name, while at track-level it specifies the track name.
;TRACK
:A number between 01 and 99, indicating the track number.

=== Whitespace ===
Line breaks must be used between commands. Spaces or tabs can be used to indent; they're ignored but can make the file easier to understand when viewing or manually editing. Customarily, for audio CDs, all the commands which apply to a particular file are indented under the FILE command, and those which apply to a specific track are further indented under the TRACK command.

=== Examples ===
'''A standard single file cue sheet'''
<pre>
REM GENRE Alternative
REM DATE 1991
REM DISCID 860B640B
REM COMMENT "ExactAudioCopy v0.95b4"
PERFORMER "My Bloody Valentine"
TITLE "Loveless"
FILE "My Bloody Valentine - Loveless.wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Only Shallow"
PERFORMER "My Bloody Valentine"
INDEX 01 00:00:00
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Loomer"
PERFORMER "My Bloody Valentine"
INDEX 01 04:17:52
</pre>
The cue sheet above, created by [[EAC]], shows the first two tracks of a standard single file cue sheet. Note the use of REM commands to record additional [[metadata]], in the format '''REM <TAG> "<value>"'''. The '''PERFORMER''' and '''TITLE''' commands at the top of the cue sheet detail the [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|CD]] artist and album name respectively. The '''PERFORMER''' and '''TITLE''' commands at track-level specify the track artist and title.

TRACK 02's INDEX 01 entry does not state that the track is 4m 17.693s long, but that the beginning of the track is 4m 17.693s into the file (so TRACK 01 was in fact 4m 17.693s long). If TRACK 02 was 3m long exactly, TRACK 03's INDEX 01 value would be 07:17:52.

Also note the file reference specifying a relative path to the file (references can also be absolute) and the file type: [[WAV|WAVE]].

==== A single-file cue sheet with a TRACK 01 INDEX 00 hidden track ====
<pre>
PERFORMER "Bloc Party"
TITLE "Silent Alarm"
FILE "Bloc Party - Silent Alarm.flac" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Like Eating Glass"
PERFORMER "Bloc Party"
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 03:22:70
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Helicopter"
PERFORMER "Bloc Party"
INDEX 00 07:42:69
INDEX 01 07:44:69
</pre>

The cue sheet above shows the first two tracks of a single file cue sheet for a disc with a hidden track at the start. Note that TRACK 01 INDEX 01 starts at 03:22:70 (3m 22.933s) instead of 00:00:00 as in the first example, and most cue sheets. The INDEX 00 index on TRACK 02 displays the more usual behaviour, being two seconds before INDEX 01.

As the INDEX 00 is on TRACK 01 you will not normally see the usual countdown from a negative value that you might see from an INDEX 00 command on a subsequent track. To listen to this track on a [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Audio CD]] player you will need to start the disc playing and press rewind, to rewind, essentially, from 3m 22s into the disc back to the true beginning.

Also note that the file referenced is [[FLAC]], but the [[WAV|WAVE]] files type is used. For [[MP3]] files the file type "'''[[MP3]]'''" should be used, for [[AIFF]] you should use "'''[[AIFF]]'''", but for all other types "'''[[WAV|WAVE]]'''" is used.

==== Multiple files with corrected gaps ====
<pre>
FILE "The Specials - Singles - 01 - Gangsters.wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Gangsters"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "The Specials - Singles - 02 - Rudi, A Message To You.wav" WAVE
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Rudi, A Message To You"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 00:00:00
INDEX 01 00:00:28
</pre>
This multiple file cue sheet, created by [[EAC]], has gaps prepended to the next track. This method allows users to retain gaps, but by prepending the gap to the next track each track may begin with silence, which makes playback less satisfactory. This is a very uncommon way to rip CDs, even though it is more in line with the disc's actual track layout.

==== Multiple files with gaps left out ====
<pre>
FILE "The Specials - Singles - 01 - Gangsters.wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Gangsters"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "The Specials - Singles - 02 - Rudi, A Message To You.wav" WAVE
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Rudi, A Message To You"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
PREGAP 00:00:28
INDEX 01 00:00:00
</pre>
This multiple file cue sheet, created by [[EAC]], has removed the gaps, but artificially recreates silence between tracks using the PREGAP command. This is fine if the gap was silence, but unsatisfactory if it contained audio.

==== Multiple files with gaps (Noncompliant) ====
<pre>
FILE "The Specials - Singles - 01 - Gangsters.wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Gangsters"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 01 00:00:00
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Rudi, A Message To You"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 02:47:74
FILE "The Specials - Singles - 02 - Rudi, A Message To You.wav" WAVE
INDEX 01 00:00:00
</pre>
This multiple-file cue sheet, created by [[EAC]], has gaps appended to the previous track, and is a favourite among users who rip to track files but wish to retain gap information. This format allows the user to retain gaps, but in a position in the track file that does not hinder playback. Unfortunately, this format is non-compliant; this type of rip, despite its popularity, was not supported by the original DAO and CDRWIN software for which cue sheets were designed. Applications that adhere to the cue sheet specification, like [[foobar2000]], will not be able to read it. Of course, [[EAC]] will read these cue sheets, as will the [[Compact Disc|CD]] burning application [[Burrrn]].

Note that INDEX 00 of TRACK 02 is set while still referencing the first FILE.

==== Single file version of the cue sheet used above ====
<pre>
FILE "The Specials - Singles.wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Gangsters"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 01 00:00:00
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Rudi, A Message To You"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 02:47:74
INDEX 01 02:48:27
</pre>
For reference, the cue sheet used in the examples above is in single file format.

== Example cue sheet ==
<pre>
REM GENRE Ska
REM DATE 1991
REM DISCID D00DA810
REM COMMENT "ExactAudioCopy v0.95b4"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
TITLE "Singles"
FILE "The Specials - Singles.wav" WAVE
TRACK 01 AUDIO
TITLE "Gangsters"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 01 00:00:00
TRACK 02 AUDIO
TITLE "Rudi, A Message To You"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 02:47:74
INDEX 01 02:48:27
TRACK 03 AUDIO
TITLE "Nite Klub"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 05:41:50
INDEX 01 05:42:27
TRACK 04 AUDIO
TITLE "Too Much Too Young"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 08:53:47
INDEX 01 08:54:37
TRACK 05 AUDIO
TITLE "Guns Of Navarone"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 10:59:20
INDEX 01 11:00:17
TRACK 06 AUDIO
TITLE "Rat Race"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 13:20:55
INDEX 01 13:20:67
TRACK 07 AUDIO
TITLE "Stereotype"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 16:29:67
INDEX 01 16:30:30
TRACK 08 AUDIO
TITLE "International Jet Set"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 20:19:27
INDEX 01 20:20:20
TRACK 09 AUDIO
TITLE "Do Nothing"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 24:30:70
INDEX 01 24:32:27
TRACK 10 AUDIO
TITLE "Ghost Town"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 28:23:30
INDEX 01 28:23:42
TRACK 11 AUDIO
TITLE "Why?"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 34:21:37
INDEX 01 34:21:47
TRACK 12 AUDIO
TITLE "Friday Night, Saturday Morning"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 38:16:50
INDEX 01 38:16:55
TRACK 13 AUDIO
TITLE "War Crimes"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 41:50:07
INDEX 01 41:51:00
TRACK 14 AUDIO
TITLE "Racist Friend"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 45:50:55
INDEX 01 45:51:72
TRACK 15 AUDIO
TITLE "Nelson Mandela"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 49:35:55
INDEX 01 49:38:22
TRACK 16 AUDIO
TITLE "(What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend"
PERFORMER "The Specials"
INDEX 00 54:11:00
INDEX 01 54:12:40
</pre>

== Useful applications ==
=== Playing ===
* [[foobar2000]]

=== Splitting ===
* [[ACDIR]]: http://nyaochi.sakura.ne.jp/xoops/modules/mysoftwares/tc_2.html
* CUE Splitter: http://www.enfis.it/downloads.php?cat_id=1
* CueProc: http://nyaochi.sakura.ne.jp/xoops/modules/mysoftwares/tc_6.html
* [[CueTools]]: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=41476
* [[foobar2000]]: http://www.foobar2000.org/
* pcutmp3: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=35654
* [[shntool]]: http://www.etree.org/shnutils/shntool/
* WavSplit: http://tangerine.uw.hu/prog/

=== Joining ===
* CueMake: http://www.synthetic-soul.co.uk/files/cuemake/
* [[CueTools]]: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=41476
* [[foobar2000]]: http://www.foobar2000.org/
* [[shntool]]: http://www.etree.org/shnutils/shntool/

=== Creating ===
* CD Wave: http://www.milosoftware.com/cdwave/
* CueMaster: http://cuemaster.org/
* [[CueTools]]: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=41476
* [[foobar2000]]: http://www.foobar2000.org/
* [[Goldwave]]: http://www.goldwave.com/
* [[shntool]]: http://www.etree.org/shnutils/shntool/
* Wave Repair: http://www.waverepair.com/
* CUEgenerator: http://cuegenerator.net/

== References ==
<references/>

== See also ==
* [[Gap settings]]
* [[EAC CUE Sheets]]

== External links ==
* Wikipedia article: [[wikipedia:Cue sheet (computing)|Cue sheet (computing)]]
* The Goldenhawk website: [http://web.archive.org/web/20070217191217/http://www.goldenhawk.com/ goldenhawk.com]

[[Category:CD ripping]]

MP3packer

2012-09-18T20:42:24Z

Jaybeee: Updated version from 2.01 to 2.04. Created new WinMP3Packer package with 2.04 packaged with it.

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.04.7z 2.04] (2012-08-31)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like -b 320) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make CBR ''-b 320'' files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME [[Xing]] header for proper VBR seeking
* Provides the ability to losslessly turn VBR files into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files
* Multi-core support
* 64-bit support (precompiled Windows executable builds for 32 and 64 bit available)
* There is a limitation in that it cannot repack Freeformat MP3s

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* Platforms with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha-2.04.7z WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v2.04)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-17T12:12:16Z

Jaybeee: /* Features */ updated for new features

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z 2.01] (15-07-2012)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like -b 320) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make CBR ''-b 320'' files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME [[Xing]] header for proper VBR seeking
* Provides the ability to losslessly turn VBR files into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files
* Multi-core support
* 64-bit support (precompiled Windows executable builds for 32 and 64 bit available)
* There is a limitation in that it cannot repack Freeformat MP3s

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* Platforms with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha-2.01.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v2.01)
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-17T12:11:07Z

Jaybeee: /* Introduction */

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z 2.01] (15-07-2012)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like -b 320) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME [[Xing]] header for proper VBR seeking
* Provides the ability to losslessly turn VBR files into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files
* Multi-core support
* 64-bit support (precompiled Windows executable builds for 32 and 64 bit available)
* There is limitation in that it cannot repack Freeformat MP3s

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* Platforms with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha-2.01.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v2.01)
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-16T20:04:53Z

Jaybeee: /* External links */ added a new link to download WinMP3Packer packaged with mp3packer v2.01

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z 2.01] (15-07-2012)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* Platforms with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha-2.01.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v2.01)
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-16T19:44:50Z

Jaybeee: /* Introduction */

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z 2.01] (15-07-2012)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* Platforms with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-16T19:42:33Z

Jaybeee: Updated version from 1.26 to 2.01

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z 2.01] (15-07-2012)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files
* Works on Windows, Linux, 64-bit Linux, Linux through WINE, and should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-16T19:37:56Z

Jaybeee: /* Features */

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-1.20.rar 1.20] (06-05-2008)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files
* Works on Windows, Linux, 64-bit Linux, Linux through WINE, and should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-16T19:37:20Z

Jaybeee: /* Features */ added new features since version 1.20

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-1.20.rar 1.20] (06-05-2008)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* Supports Unicode file names and paths
* Supports encoding an entire directory of files
* Works on Windows, Linux, 64-bit Linux, Linux through WINE, and should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port
*

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2012-07-16T19:34:15Z

Jaybeee: /* External links */

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| logo =
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-1.20.rar 1.20] (06-05-2008)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfill specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* works on directories

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-2.01.7z MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

MP3val

2009-09-10T11:09:40Z

Jaybeee:

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3val
| screenshot = [[Image:MP3val-screenshot.png|250px|MP3val screenshot]]
| caption = validation and (optionally) fixing of MP3 files
| maintainer = Alexey Kuznetsov and Eugen Tikhonov
| stable_release = [http://mp3val.sourceforge.net/download.shtml 0.1.8] (25-06-2009)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and major Unix
| use = validation, fixing
| license = GPL
| website = [http://mp3val.sourceforge.net/ http://mp3val.sourceforge.net/]
}}

=Introduction=
'''MP3val''' is a tool for [[MPEG]] audio files validation and (optionally) fixing problems. It can be useful for finding corrupted files (e.g. incompletely downloaded).
[[MP3]] decoders are very tolerant to inconsistencies in the input file. Most players even don't report to user about stream errors. So, as a rule, user doesn't know whether his files are valid or broken. But using broken files can eventually lead to problems during playback on certain software/hardware.

''Be careful'': although MP3val can repair even files with [[MPEG]] stream errors, it is recommended that you find a "good" copy of this file, because a "click" sound usually can't be removed, the repaired file will only look like good.

The core component of MP3val is an application with command-line interface. There are two graphical frontends one is a Windows application and a multi-platform Python script.

==Features==

* validation of [[MPEG]] audio files
* fixing of [[MPEG]] audio files
* finding corrupted files

==Supported formats==

* [[MPEG]]-[[MPEG-1|1]], [[MPEG-2|2]], 2.5; [[MPEG1_Layer_3|Layers I, II, III]] ([[MP3]])
* [[ID3v1]] tags (must be at the very end of the file)
* [[ID3v2]] tags (must be at the very beginning of the file)
* [[APEv2]] tags

==Operating Systems==
* Windows
* major Unix systems

==External links==
* [http://mp3val.sourceforge.net/ MP3val: Homepage]
* [http://mp3val.sourceforge.net/download.shtml MP3val: Download]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=53341 MP3val: hydrogenaudio forum]

[[Category:Software]]

MP3packer

2008-10-21T10:14:29Z

Jaybeee: Updated to add more info about WinMP3Packer & also a download link since the original link on the forums was dead.

{{Software Infobox
| name = MP3packer
| screenshot = [[Image:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png|250px|WinMP3Packer screenshot]]
| caption = rearrange and compress MP3 data
| maintainer = Reed Wilson (Omion)
| stable_release = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-1.20.rar 1.20] (06-05-2008)
| preview_release =
| operating_system = Windows and Linux
| use = rearrange, compress
| license = GPL
| website = [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html Homepage]
}}

= Introduction =
'''MP3packer''' is a program which can rearrange the data within an [[MP3]] to fulfil specific goals. By default, the program generates the smallest MP3 possible (with the least padding). However, many people also use it to turn [[Variable Bitrate|VBR]] files into [[Constant Bitrate|CBR]] for use with players which don't support VBR.

It can save space by storing frame data in the smallest possible frame. Usually MP3s are already stored in the most efficient way possible. However, for high-bitrate CBR files (like --preset insane) there can be a lot of wasted space.

== Features ==
* Can make --preset insane files up to 10 % smaller [[lossless]]ly (depending on the [[LAME]] version used)
* Squeezes out all the padding it can from any MP3 (Will not produce a larger file, unless you use the -b switch or something goes wrong)
* Writes valid LAME / [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xing-Header/ XING header] for proper VBR seeking
* Many people also use this backwards, to losslessly turn VBR into larger CBR files to humor players which can't handle VBR
* Includes a brute-force compression optimization option to further compress files
* works on directories

== How It Works ==
'''-z switch:'''
The default operation is to choose the minimum frame size to fit the data and will also minimize the data size. This is completely lossless, and is equivalent to decompressing a ZIP file and recompressing with a more aggressive setting. It attempts to minimize the data by doing a brute-force search for the optimal parameters, so it takes much longer than it would normally.

'''-b switch:'''
Setting the -b switch will set the minimum bitrate for each frame. Using this switch will make more room in small frames for other frames' data, so it will also generally reduce the maximum bitrate as well. There is no direct control over the maximum bitrate, since there may simply be too much data to fit into a smaller frame. The exact format of the parameter is a bit odd: if the bitrate given is a valid frame bitrate, the minimum bitrate is dithered between padded and unpadded frames. If the bitrate is one more than a valid frame bitrate, then the minimum is a padded frame of bitrate one less than the given. Anything else is rounded up to the next highest unpadded bitrate.

'''-r, -R switches:'''
After mp3packer has chosen an output bitrate for a given frame, there is generally a range of positions to put the actual data. The data can be packed as much as possible into the previous frame, or it can be set to fill up the current frame as much as possible. Usually it is best to put as much as possible into previous frames, since this will maximize the space available for any subsequent frames. However, if the minimum bitrate is adds enough padding, there is no reason to cram the data into previous frames; it's just going to move around the padding.
The default is to pack as far behind as possible if the -b switch is not given, since there is usually no problem filling up the frames. If a minimum bitrate is specified then the frames are pushed as far up as possible without affecting any of the following frames.
The -r switch will attempt to always push data as far up as possible, even if a minimum bitrate is not specified. Conversely, the -R switch will push the data into previous frames as possible

== Operating Systems ==
* Windows
* Linux
* should work perfectly on any other platform with an OCaml port

== WinMP3Packer ==
Created by Chris Close (psyllium) '''WinMP3Packer''' is a graphical front-end to the mp3packer.exe program. It is a Windows only program that requires Microsoft .NET Runtime version 2.0 and has been tested on Windows 2000 & XP (XP SP2).

The latest version allows the user to upgrade the mp3packer version by adding the mp3packer.exe into main WinMP3Packer directory.

* The latest release is '''1.0.18-alpha''' (13-06-2007)

== External links ==
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html/ MP3packer: Homepage]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer-1.20.rar MP3packer: Download]
* [http://omion.dyndns.org/mp3packer/mp3packer.html#changelog MP3packer: changelog]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32379 MP3packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40780 WinMP3Packer: hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://jaybeee.themixingbowl.org/winmp3packer/WinMP3Packer-1.0.18-alpha.zip WinMP3Packer: Download] (packaged with mp3packer v1.20)

[[Category:Software]]

File:WinMP3Packer-screenshot.png

2008-10-21T09:38:22Z

Jaybeee: Updated picture. Also amended the name to WinMP3Packer

Updated picture.
Also amended the name to WinMP3Packer