Multichannel

2006-11-27T14:08:19Z

Rjamorim: /* Test Streams */

'''Multichannel''' refers to audio streams with more than two channels. The most usual multichannel setups are 5.1 (five main channels: front center, front right, front left, rear right, rear left and one [[LFE|Low Frequency Extension]] channel) and 6.1 (the five channels from 5.1 + back center).

Formerly limited to movie theaters, multichannel audio has became popular since the introduction of the DVD video format. The two competitors to the title of CD successor, [[DVD-Audio]] and [[SACD]], can also offer multichannel content.

Some formats that support multichannel encoding are: [[AAC]], [[Ogg Vorbis]], [[WMA]] Pro, [[AC3]], [[DTS]], [[FLAC]] and [[WavPack]].

There's no standard channel mapping for multichannel streams, and each vendor (Microsoft, Dolby, MPEG, Xiph...) creates its own or copies it from another vendor.

Multichannel recordings are often referred to as "Surround".

=Test Streams=

[[User:rjamorim|rjamorim]] prepared some test streams so that you can check if your surround setup speakers are positioned correctly. The [[AC3]] and [[DTS]] streams follow the standards set by the developers of such technologies (they were encoded with official encoders). The AAC stream was created with [[Compaact!]], and it's impossible to guarantee that all channels will be decoded at their correct places when playing back with different AAC decoders. If you can, test the AAC stream with Compaact's "official" players - Mpegable [http://www.mpegable.net/download/DS/mpegableDSdecoder-Setup.exe DirectShow Decoder] or [http://www.mpegable.net/download/Player/mpegablePlayer-Setup.exe Player].

In this test, a synthetic voice will say out loud the position where each stream should be coming from.

* [http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/upload/test.ac3.zip AC3 stream] 101kB
* [http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/upload/test.dts.zip DTS stream] 136kB
* [http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/upload/test.m4a AAC stream] 58kB

==See also==
* [[Stereo]]
* [[Mono]]

[[Category:Technical]]

Talk:Lossless comparison

2006-10-12T22:52:55Z

2006-09-24T17:32:15Z

Rjamorim: /* Recommended encoder settings */

{{Software Infobox
| name = LAME
| screenshot = [[Image:Lamelogo.png|250px|LAME official logo]]
| caption = LAME ain't an MP3 encoder
| maintainer = The LAME project
| stable_release = 3.97
| preview_release = none
| operating_system = All
| use = Audio encoder/decoder
| license = LGPL
| website = [http://lame.sourceforge.net/ LAME website]
}}{{featured}}
'''LAME''' (Lame Ain't an MP3 Encoder) is the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended [[MP3]] encoder. It has been developed by the open-source community since 1998, and has become the highest quality [[MP3]] encoder for most purposes.

Some benefits for using LAME:
* Highly optimised presets
* Fast encoding
* [[CBR]], [[ABR]] and [[VBR]] encoding methods
* [[Gapless]] playback with LAME-header compliant decoders
* [[Exact Audio Copy]] and [[CDex]] support

==History==
LAME development began around mid-1998. Mike Cheng started it as a patch against the 8hz-MP3 encoder sources. After some quality concerns raised by others, he decided to start from scratch based on the dist10 sources. That branch (a patch against the reference sources) became LAME 2.0, and only on LAME 3.81 they got rid of all dist10 code, making LAME a completely new program-not a mere patch of an existing encoder.

The project quickly became a team effort. Mike Cheng eventually left leadership and started working on [http://toolame.sourceforge.net/ tooLAME], an [[MP2]] encoder. Mark Taylor became leader and released version 3.0 featuring gpsycho, a new psychoacoustic model developed by him.

Nowadays LAME is considered the best MP3 encoder at mid-high bitrates and features the best VBR model among MP3 implementations, mostly thanks to the dedicated work of talented developers like Takehiro Tominaga, Naoki Shibata, Darin Morrison, Gabriel Bouvigne, Robert Hegemann, etc. And development is still going on...

==Recommended encoder compiles and source code==
This list will be kept up to date with the current LAME compiles that are recommended for optimal quality and will keep track of any development compiles released on [[Hydrogenaudio]].

It is suggested that the compiles available here be used with the [[#Recommended encoder settings|recommended encoder settings]].

<center>'''The currently recommended LAME version is'''</center>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center;color:red;"
|-
! 3.97
|}

*[http://rarewares.org/dancer/dancer.php?f=1 Download] (317 KB - Win32 compile including lame_enc.dll)

*[http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/lame/lame-3.97.tar.gz?download Download] (1.3 MB - Lame source code from Lame project page)

==Recommended encoder settings==
This section describes the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended settings to be used with [[LAME]] for highest quality [[MP3]] encoding.

These settings require LAME 3.94 or later. LAME 3.97 is the recommended version.

Avoid using alpha (a) versions of LAME. More often than not those are exclusively for testing purposes. Use them only if you want to help developers with feedback.

'''Note #1:''' the rule of thumb when considering encoding options: at a given bitrate, [[VBR]] is higher quality than [[ABR]], which is higher quality than [[CBR]] ([[VBR]] > [[ABR]] > [[CBR]] in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible [[CBR]] bitrate, which is 320 kbps (-b 320 = --alt-preset insane), but this produces very large filesizes for very little audible benefit.

'''Note #2:''' all modes and settings mentioned in this topic belong to the specifications of the [[MP3]] standard, and the resulting MP3s should be playable by every [[MP3]] decoder that conforms with the standard. If your decoder or device does not play MP3s produced by LAME, blame the manufacturer or developer, and not LAME.

===VBR (variable bitrate) settings===
'''[[VBR]]:''' ''variable bitrate mode. Use variable bitrate modes when the goal is to achieve a fixed level of quality using the lowest possible bitrate.''

[[VBR]] is best used to target a specific quality level, instead of a specific bitrate. The final file size of a [[VBR]] encode is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

'''Usage:''' <code>-V(number)</code> where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

'''Example:''' <code>-V2</code>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|+'''List of recommended settings'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbit/s''' || '''Bitrate range kbit/s'''
|- style="background:white;"
| -b 320 || --preset insane || 320 || 320 CBR
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || 245 || 220...260
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || 245 || 220...260
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || || 225 || 200...250
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 1 || || 225 || 200...250
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || 190 || 170...210
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 2 || --preset standard || 190 || 170...210
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || 175 || 155...195
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 3 || || 175 || 155...195
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || 165 || 145...185
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 4 || --preset medium || 165 || 145...185
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || 130 || 110...150
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 5 || || 130 || 110...150
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || 115 || 95...135
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 6 || || 115 || 95...135
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || 100 || 80...120
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 7 || || 100 || 80...120
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || 85 || 65...105
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 8 || || 85 || 65...105
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || 65 || 45...85
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 9 || || 65 || 45...85
|}
See also [[#Technical information|Technical details for recommended LAME settings]].

If you need a predictable bitrate (in a streaming application, for example), use [[ABR]] or [[CBR]] modes, described below.

===ABR (average bitrate) settings===
'''[[ABR]]:''' ''average bitrate mode. A compromise between [[VBR]] and [[CBR]] modes, [[ABR]] encoding varies bits around a specified target bitrate.''

Use [[ABR]] when you need to know the final size of the file but still want to allow the encoder some flexibility to decide which passages need more bits.

'''Usage:''' <code>--preset <bitrate></code> where <bitrate> (desired averaged bitrate in kbit/s) can be any value between 8 - 320 , like eg. 9, 17, 80, 128, 133, 200 etc.

'''Example:''' <code>--preset 200</code>

'''Important:''' ''[[ABR]] setting is tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s.''

===CBR (constant bitrate) settings===
'''[[CBR]]:''' ''constant bitrate mode. [[CBR]] encoding is not efficient. Whereas [[VBR]] and [[ABR]] modes can supply more bits to complex music passages and save bits on simpler ones, [[CBR]] encodes every frame at the same bitrate.''

[[CBR]] is only recommended for usage in streaming situations where the upper bitrate must be strictly enforced.

'''Usage:''' <code>-b <bitrate></code> where <bitrate> (bitrate in kbit/s) must be chosen from the following values: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, or 320.

'''Example:''' <code>-b 192</code>

'''Important:''' ''[[CBR]] setting is tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s.''

===Remarks===
The <code>--vbr-new</code> switch enables the new [[VBR]] mode. Lame will encode much faster than the old/default [[VBR]] mode. In terms of quality, <code>--vbr-new</code> appears to be better than the old model, but reports of artifacts when using the new model do exist. Despite these possible issues, <code>--vbr-new</code> is currently recommended over the default [[VBR]] mode due to both the speed and quality increases afforded by the new algorithm.

===Quick start===
'''Best quality: 'archiving''''

<code>-b 320</code>. This is the strongest setting for [[MP3]], with the lowest risk of [[artifact]]s.
With the exception of a few situations, quality is rarely better than the highest [[VBR]] profiles described below. However, 'archiving' music using a lossy format like [[MP3]] is never recommended – no matter how transparent the resulting files might be.
The alternative is to use [[Lossless]] formats like [[WavPack]], [[FLAC]] etc. that allow true archiving bit for bit like on original CD.

'''High quality: HiFi, home or quiet listening'''

<code>-V3 --vbr-new</code> (~175 kbps), <code>-V2 --vbr-new</code> (~190 kbps), <code>-V1 --vbr-new</code> (~210 kbps) or <code>-V0 --vbr-new</code> (~230 kbps) are recommended.
These settings will produce [[transparent]] encoding (transparent = most people cannot distinguish the [[MP3]] from the original in an [[ABX]] blind test).
Audible differences between these presets exist, but are extremely rare.

'''Portable: background noise and low bitrate requirement, small sizes'''

<code>-V6 --vbr-new</code> (~115 kbps), <code>-V5 --vbr-new</code> (~130 kbps) or <code>-V4 --vbr-new</code> (~160 kbps) are recommended for this use.
<code>-V6 --vbr-new</code> produces an acceptable quality, while <code>-V4--vbr-new</code> should be close to perceptual [[transparency]].

'''Very low bitrate, small sizes: eg. for voice, radio, [[mono]] encoding etc.'''

For very low bitrates, up to 100kbps, [[ABR]] is most often the best solution.
Use <code>--abr <bitrate></code> (e.g. --abr 80).

[[Image:lame-chart-2.png|frame|center|Here a trial to get a view, how the perceived listening quality improves with settings/averaged filesize]]

'''Hey! What happened to "--alt-preset"?'''

The revolutionary <code>--alt-preset</code> system was introduced in LAME 3.90; it was replaced by the <code>--preset</code> flags in later versions. Starting with version 3.94, the <code>-Vx</code> quality system was introduced, which allows finer control over the desired bitrate; the <code>--preset</code> switches were made into aliases to the corresponding <code>-V</code> flags for the sake of backwards compatibility. '''There is no difference between the output you get if you use <code>-V2</code> or <code>--alt-preset standard</code>.''' (Although adding <code>--vbr-new</code> is recommended for now, see above for details.)

More encoding options are available under the new system, such as <code>-V1</code>, which provides a level of quality between the old "standard" and "extreme" presets, or <code>-V3</code>, which is between the old "medium" and "standard" presets.

LAME 3.97 features more streamlined command line options, and it's recommended to stick to one of the values described in the text or shown in the tables above. You don't need to worry anymore about quality, settings, arcane combinations of switches, or presets.

For example, the following command lines will all produce the same output:

<code>--alt-preset insane</code> = <code>--preset insane</code> = <code>-b 320</code> = <code>--preset 320</code> = <code>--preset cbr 320</code>

(<code>--preset cbr 320</code> is the exact same thing as <code>--alt-preset insane</code>, etc.)

==Technical information==
The table below contains technical details about the recommended settings.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|+'''Technical details of the recommended settings'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbps''' || '''Y Switch''' || '''-b''' || '''Lowpass''' || '''Resample'''
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || ~240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || ~240 || || || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 1 || || ~210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || || ~210 || || || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 2 || --preset standard || ~190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || ~190 || || || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 3 || || ~175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || ~175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 4 || --preset medium || ~165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || ~165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 5 || || ~130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || ~130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 6 || || ~115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || ~115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 7 || || ~100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || ~100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 8 || || ~85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || ~85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 9 || || ~65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || ~65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|}

==See also==
* [[MP3]]
* [[Exact_Audio_Copy|Exact Audio Copy]]
* [[EAC_and_Lame | Configuring EAC and LAME]]

==Notes and references==
A big thanks to all LAME developers for making one kickass [[MP3]] codec.

'''People who took part in suggesting the different settings:'''

Dibrom, r3mix, ff123, Hans Heijden, kjempen, Benjamin Lebsanft, GeSomeone, Wombat & GuruBoolez for his immense testing.

'''Creation of the alt preset system and related special code level quality enhancements:'''

Dibrom, with technical assistance from Robert Hegemann and Naoki Shibata, Gabriel and extensive tuning help and quality verification via listening tests from JohnV and also initial help (--dm-preset era) from Hans Heijden, ff123, Wombat, and others. Test clips, bitrate information, and further listening tests provided by TheBashar, zbutsam, Pio2001, BadDuDeX, r3mix, h, TarX, Hans Heijden, ff123, Wombat, Filburt, Volcano, Garf, MrDrew, TrNSZ, nyaochi, Amadeus93, in no particular order, and many, many others we (Dibrom, user) probably forgot to mention.

'''Idea (also exposing the need for a unified preset system), Original post and list of original settings collected by:''' user

'''Layout and additional work by:''' dev0, CiTay, SNYder, Dibrom.

And finally...

Thank you ALL in the community for making it what it is, providing interest and discussion and helping to work towards the most concise, well tuned, and most thought out MP3 quality "paradigm" seen yet! -- Dibrom

==Further reading==
*[[CBR]]
*[[ABR]]
*[[VBR]]

==External links==
*[http://lame.sourceforge.net LAME official homepage]
*[http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/lame.html Historical versions of LAME] at ReallyRareWares
*[http://www.rjamorim.com/test/ Several multiformat listening tests] featuring LAME and other encoders.
*[http://www.rarewares.org/mp3.html RareWares MP3 page]
*[http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=478&st=0 Discussion of recommended Lame compiles in the Hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=16&t=32288 Forum discussion of the recommended settings]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=15&t=203 Forum discussion of the recommended settings (older)]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32288&view=findpost&p=327262 Previous recommendations (outdated)]

[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]

LAME

2006-09-24T15:32:00Z

Rjamorim: /* Recommended encoder compiles and source code */

{{Software Infobox
| name = LAME
| screenshot = [[Image:Lamelogo.png|250px|LAME official logo]]
| caption = LAME ain't an MP3 encoder
| maintainer = The LAME project
| stable_release = 3.96.1
| preview_release = 3.97b3
| operating_system = All
| use = Audio encoder/decoder
| license = LGPL
| website = [http://lame.sourceforge.net/ LAME website]
}}{{featured}}
'''LAME''' (Lame Ain't an MP3 Encoder) is the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended [[MP3]] encoder. It has been developed by the open-source community since 1998, and has become the highest quality [[MP3]] encoder for most purposes.

Some benefits for using LAME:
* Highly optimised presets
* Fast encoding
* [[CBR]], [[ABR]] and [[VBR]] encoding methods
* [[Gapless]] playback with LAME-header compliant decoders
* [[Exact Audio Copy]] and [[CDex]] support

==History==
LAME development began around mid-1998. Mike Cheng started it as a patch against the 8hz-MP3 encoder sources. After some quality concerns raised by others, he decided to start from scratch based on the dist10 sources. That branch (a patch against the reference sources) became LAME 2.0, and only on LAME 3.81 they got rid of all dist10 code, making LAME a completely new program-not a mere patch of an existing encoder.

The project quickly became a team effort. Mike Cheng eventually left leadership and started working on [http://toolame.sourceforge.net/ tooLAME], an [[MP2]] encoder. Mark Taylor became leader and released version 3.0 featuring gpsycho, a new psychoacoustic model developed by him.

Nowadays LAME is considered the best MP3 encoder at mid-high bitrates and features the best VBR model among MP3 implementations, mostly thanks to the dedicated work of talented developers like Takehiro Tominaga, Naoki Shibata, Darin Morrison, Gabriel Bouvigne, Robert Hegemann, etc. And development is still going on...

==Recommended encoder compiles and source code==
This list will be kept up to date with the current LAME compiles that are recommended for optimal quality and will keep track of any development compiles released on [[Hydrogenaudio]].

It is suggested that the compiles available here be used with the [[#Recommended encoder settings|recommended encoder settings]].

<center>'''The currently recommended LAME version is'''</center>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center;color:red;"
|-
! 3.97
|}

*[http://rarewares.org/dancer/dancer.php?f=1 Download] (317 KB - Win32 compile including lame_enc.dll)

*[http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/lame/lame-3.97.tar.gz?download Download] (1.3 MB - Lame source code from Lame project page)

==Recommended encoder settings==
This section describes the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended settings to be used with [[LAME]] for highest quality [[MP3]] encoding.

These settings require LAME 3.94 or later. LAME 3.97beta3 is the recommended version.

Avoid using alpha (a) versions of LAME. More often than not those are exclusively for testing purposes. Use them only if you want to help developers with feedback.

'''Note #1:''' the rule of thumb when considering encoding options: at a given bitrate, [[VBR]] is higher quality than [[ABR]], which is higher quality than [[CBR]] ([[VBR]] > [[ABR]] > [[CBR]] in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible [[CBR]] bitrate, which is 320 kbps (-b 320 = --alt-preset insane), but this produces very large filesizes for very little audible benefit.

'''Note #2:''' all modes and settings mentioned in this topic belong to the specifications of the [[MP3]] standard, and the resulting MP3s should be playable by every [[MP3]] decoder that conforms with the standard. If your decoder or device does not play MP3s produced by LAME, blame the manufacturer or developer, and not LAME.

===VBR (variable bitrate) settings===
'''[[VBR]]:''' ''variable bitrate mode. Use variable bitrate modes when the goal is to achieve a fixed level of quality using the lowest possible bitrate.''

[[VBR]] is best used to target a specific quality level, instead of a specific bitrate. The final file size of a [[VBR]] encode is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

'''Usage:''' <code>-V(number)</code> where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

'''Example:''' <code>-V2</code>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|+'''List of recommended settings'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbit/s''' || '''Bitrate range kbit/s'''
|- style="background:white;"
| -b 320 || --preset insane || 320 || 320 CBR
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || 245 || 220...260
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || 245 || 220...260
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || || 225 || 200...250
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 1 || || 225 || 200...250
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || 190 || 170...210
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 2 || --preset standard || 190 || 170...210
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || 175 || 155...195
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 3 || || 175 || 155...195
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || 165 || 145...185
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 4 || --preset medium || 165 || 145...185
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || 130 || 110...150
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 5 || || 130 || 110...150
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || 115 || 95...135
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 6 || || 115 || 95...135
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || 100 || 80...120
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 7 || || 100 || 80...120
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || 85 || 65...105
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 8 || || 85 || 65...105
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || 65 || 45...85
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 9 || || 65 || 45...85
|}
See also [[#Technical information|Technical details for recommended LAME settings]].

If you need a predictable bitrate (in a streaming application, for example), use [[ABR]] or [[CBR]] modes, described below.

===ABR (average bitrate) settings===
'''[[ABR]]:''' ''average bitrate mode. A compromise between [[VBR]] and [[CBR]] modes, [[ABR]] encoding varies bits around a specified target bitrate.''

Use [[ABR]] when you need to know the final size of the file but still want to allow the encoder some flexibility to decide which passages need more bits.

'''Usage:''' <code>--preset <bitrate></code> where <bitrate> (desired averaged bitrate in kbit/s) can be any value between 8 - 320 , like eg. 9, 17, 80, 128, 133, 200 etc.

'''Example:''' <code>--preset 200</code>

'''Important:''' ''[[ABR]] setting is tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s.''

===CBR (constant bitrate) settings===
'''[[CBR]]:''' ''constant bitrate mode. [[CBR]] encoding is not efficient. Whereas [[VBR]] and [[ABR]] modes can supply more bits to complex music passages and save bits on simpler ones, [[CBR]] encodes every frame at the same bitrate.''

[[CBR]] is only recommended for usage in streaming situations where the upper bitrate must be strictly enforced.

'''Usage:''' <code>-b <bitrate></code> where <bitrate> (bitrate in kbit/s) must be chosen from the following values: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, or 320.

'''Example:''' <code>-b 192</code>

'''Important:''' ''[[CBR]] setting is tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s.''

===Remarks===
The <code>--vbr-new</code> switch enables the new [[VBR]] mode. Lame will encode much faster than the old/default [[VBR]] mode. In terms of quality, <code>--vbr-new</code> appears to be better than the old model, but reports of artifacts when using the new model do exist. Despite these possible issues, <code>--vbr-new</code> is currently recommended over the default [[VBR]] mode due to both the speed and quality increases afforded by the new algorithm.

===Quick start===
'''Best quality: 'archiving''''

<code>-b 320</code>. This is the strongest setting for [[MP3]], with the lowest risk of [[artifact]]s.
With the exception of a few situations, quality is rarely better than the highest [[VBR]] profiles described below. However, 'archiving' music using a lossy format like [[MP3]] is never recommended – no matter how transparent the resulting files might be.
The alternative is to use [[Lossless]] formats like [[WavPack]], [[FLAC]] etc. that allow true archiving bit for bit like on original CD.

'''High quality: HiFi, home or quiet listening'''

<code>-V3 --vbr-new</code> (~175 kbps), <code>-V2 --vbr-new</code> (~190 kbps), <code>-V1 --vbr-new</code> (~210 kbps) or <code>-V0 --vbr-new</code> (~230 kbps) are recommended.
These settings will produce [[transparent]] encoding (transparent = most people cannot distinguish the [[MP3]] from the original in an [[ABX]] blind test).
Audible differences between these presets exist, but are extremely rare.

'''Portable: background noise and low bitrate requirement, small sizes'''

<code>-V6 --vbr-new</code> (~115 kbps), <code>-V5 --vbr-new</code> (~130 kbps) or <code>-V4 --vbr-new</code> (~160 kbps) are recommended for this use.
<code>-V6 --vbr-new</code> produces an acceptable quality, while <code>-V4--vbr-new</code> should be close to perceptual [[transparency]].

'''Very low bitrate, small sizes: eg. for voice, radio, [[mono]] encoding etc.'''

For very low bitrates, up to 100kbps, [[ABR]] is most often the best solution.
Use <code>--abr <bitrate></code> (e.g. --abr 80).

[[Image:lame-chart-2.png|frame|center|Here a trial to get a view, how the perceived listening quality improves with settings/averaged filesize]]

'''Hey! What happened to "--alt-preset"?'''

The revolutionary <code>--alt-preset</code> system was introduced in LAME 3.90; it was replaced by the <code>--preset</code> flags in later versions. Starting with version 3.94, the <code>-Vx</code> quality system was introduced, which allows finer control over the desired bitrate; the <code>--preset</code> switches were made into aliases to the corresponding <code>-V</code> flags for the sake of backwards compatibility. '''There is no difference between the output you get if you use <code>-V2</code> or <code>--alt-preset standard</code>.''' (Although adding <code>--vbr-new</code> is recommended for now, see above for details.)

More encoding options are available under the new system, such as <code>-V1</code>, which provides a level of quality between the old "standard" and "extreme" presets, or <code>-V3</code>, which is between the old "medium" and "standard" presets.

LAME 3.97 features more streamlined command line options, and it's recommended to stick to one of the values described in the text or shown in the tables above. You don't need to worry anymore about quality, settings, arcane combinations of switches, or presets.

For example, the following command lines will all produce the same output:

<code>--alt-preset insane</code> = <code>--preset insane</code> = <code>-b 320</code> = <code>--preset 320</code> = <code>--preset cbr 320</code>

(<code>--preset cbr 320</code> is the exact same thing as <code>--alt-preset insane</code>, etc.)

==Technical information==
The table below contains technical details about the recommended settings.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|+'''Technical details of the recommended settings'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbps''' || '''Y Switch''' || '''-b''' || '''Lowpass''' || '''Resample'''
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || ~240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || ~240 || || || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 1 || || ~210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || || ~210 || || || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 2 || --preset standard || ~190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || ~190 || || || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 3 || || ~175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || ~175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 4 || --preset medium || ~165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || ~165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 5 || || ~130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || ~130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 6 || || ~115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || ~115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 7 || || ~100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || ~100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 8 || || ~85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || ~85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|- style="background:white;"
| -V 9 || || ~65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || ~65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|}

==See also==
* [[MP3]]
* [[Exact_Audio_Copy|Exact Audio Copy]]
* [[EAC_and_Lame | Configuring EAC and LAME]]

==Notes and references==
A big thanks to all LAME developers for making one kickass [[MP3]] codec.

'''People who took part in suggesting the different settings:'''

Dibrom, r3mix, ff123, Hans Heijden, kjempen, Benjamin Lebsanft, GeSomeone, Wombat & GuruBoolez for his immense testing.

'''Creation of the alt preset system and related special code level quality enhancements:'''

Dibrom, with technical assistance from Robert Hegemann and Naoki Shibata, Gabriel and extensive tuning help and quality verification via listening tests from JohnV and also initial help (--dm-preset era) from Hans Heijden, ff123, Wombat, and others. Test clips, bitrate information, and further listening tests provided by TheBashar, zbutsam, Pio2001, BadDuDeX, r3mix, h, TarX, Hans Heijden, ff123, Wombat, Filburt, Volcano, Garf, MrDrew, TrNSZ, nyaochi, Amadeus93, in no particular order, and many, many others we (Dibrom, user) probably forgot to mention.

'''Idea (also exposing the need for a unified preset system), Original post and list of original settings collected by:''' user

'''Layout and additional work by:''' dev0, CiTay, SNYder, Dibrom.

And finally...

Thank you ALL in the community for making it what it is, providing interest and discussion and helping to work towards the most concise, well tuned, and most thought out MP3 quality "paradigm" seen yet! -- Dibrom

==Further reading==
*[[CBR]]
*[[ABR]]
*[[VBR]]

==External links==
*[http://lame.sourceforge.net LAME official homepage]
*[http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/lame.html Historical versions of LAME] at ReallyRareWares
*[http://www.rjamorim.com/test/ Several multiformat listening tests] featuring LAME and other encoders.
*[http://www.rarewares.org/mp3.html RareWares MP3 page]
*[http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=478&st=0 Discussion of recommended Lame compiles in the Hydrogenaudio forum]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=16&t=32288 Forum discussion of the recommended settings]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=15&t=203 Forum discussion of the recommended settings (older)]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32288&view=findpost&p=327262 Previous recommendations (outdated)]

[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:Encoder/Decoder]]

LAME

2006-09-24T15:31:33Z

2005-12-25T17:39:05Z

Rjamorim: /* WV CONS */ WTF is "GUI encoder"?

Given the enormous amount of [[lossless]] audio compressor choices available, it is a very difficult task to choose the one most suited for each person's needs.

Several people only take into consideration compression performance when choosing a codec. But as the following table and article shows, there are several other features worth taking into consideration when making that choice.

For example, users wanting good multiplatform compatibility and robustness (E.G, people sharing live recordings) would favour [[WavPack]] or [[FLAC]]. Another user, looking for the very highest compression available, would go with [[OptimFROG]]. Someone wanting portable support would use [[FLAC]] or [[ALAC]], and so on.

En fin, this is not a matter worth getting too worked up about. If you later find out the codec you chose isn't the best for your needs, you can just transcompress to another format, without risk of losing quality.

==Comparison Table==



{| border="0" cellspacing="0"
| '''Features''' || {{Turquoise}} ALAC || {{Turquoise}} FLAC || {{Turquoise}} Monkey's || {{Turquoise}} OptimFROG || {{Turquoise}} Real Lossless || {{Turquoise}} Shorten
|-
| {{yellow}} Encoding speed || {{white}} average || {{light-green}} fast || {{light-green}} fast || {{orange}} slow || {{white}} average || {{green}} very fast
|-|
| {{yellow}} Decoding speed || {{green}} very fast || {{green}} very fast || {{light-green}} fast || {{orange}} slow || {{light-green}} fast || {{green}} very fast
|-|
| {{yellow}} Compression* || {{light-green}} 58,50% || {{light-green}} 58,70% || {{green}} 55,50% || {{green}} 54,70% || {{white}}   || {{orange}} 63,50%
|-|
| {{yellow}} Flexibility** || {{orange}} bad || {{green}} very good || {{green}} very good || {{green}} very good || {{orange}} bad || {{orange}} bad
|-
| {{white}}  
|-
| {{yellow}} Error handling || {{white}}   || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{white}}   || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Seeking || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes
|-|
| {{yellow}} Tagging || {{green}} QT tags || {{green}} FLAC tags || {{green}} ID3/APE || {{green}} ID3/APE || {{light-green}} Proprietary || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Hardware support || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Software support || {{orange}} bad || {{green}} very good || {{light-green}} good || {{white}} average || {{orange}} bad || {{green}} very good
|-|
| {{yellow}} Hybrid/lossy || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} ReplayGain || {{white}} sort of || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} RIFF chunks || {{white}}   || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{white}}   || {{green}} yes
|-|
| {{yellow}} Streaming || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Pipe support || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes
|-|
| {{yellow}} Open source || {{light-green}} Yes (decoding) || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes
|-|
| {{yellow}} Multichannel || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} High resolution || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} OS support || {{light-green}} Win/Mac || {{green}} All || {{green}} All || {{light-green}} Win/Linux || {{green}} Win/Mac/Linux || {{green}} All
|-|
| {{gray}}   || {{gray}}   || {{gray}}   || {{gray}}   || {{gray}}   || {{gray}}   || {{gray}}  
|-|
| '''Features''' || {{Turquoise}} WavPack || {{Turquoise}} WMA || {{Turquoise}} LA || {{Turquoise}} TTA || {{Turquoise}} LPAC
|-|
| {{yellow}} Encoding speed || {{green}} very fast || {{white}} average || {{orange}} slow || {{green}} very fast || {{white}} average
|-|
| {{yellow}} Decoding speed || {{green}} very fast || {{white}} average || {{orange}} slow || {{green}} very fast || {{green}} very fast
|-|
| {{yellow}} Compression* || {{light-green}} 58% || {{green}} 56,30% || {{green}} 53,50% || {{light-green}} 57,10% || {{light-green}} 57,20%
|-|
| {{yellow}} Flexibility** || {{green}} very good || {{orange}} bad || {{white}} average || {{orange}} bad || {{orange}} bad
|-
| {{white}}  
|-
| {{yellow}} Error handling || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Seeking || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} slow
|-|
| {{yellow}} Tagging || {{green}} ID3/APE || {{light-green}} Proprietary || {{light-green}} ID3v1 || {{light-green}} ID3 || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Hardware support || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Software support || {{light-green}} good || {{light-green}} good || {{orange}} bad || {{white}} average || {{white}} average
|-|
| {{yellow}} Hybrid/lossy || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} ReplayGain || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} RIFF chunks || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes
|-|
| {{yellow}} Streaming || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{white}}   || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Pipe support || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{white}}  
|-|
| {{yellow}} Open source || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} Multichannel || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no
|-|
| {{yellow}} High resolution || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes || {{orange}} no || {{green}} yes || {{green}} yes
|-|
| {{yellow}} OS support || {{green}} All || {{light-green}} Win/Mac || {{light-green}} Win/Linux || {{green}} All || {{light-green}} Win/Linux/Sol
|}

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Encoding speed, Decoding speed and Compression ratio are based on each encoder's default settings.

<nowiki>**</nowiki> Flexibility refers to the amount of encoding choices offered to the users (Fast/low compression, Slow/high compression and everything inbetween)

These are the most popular lossless codecs, in alphabetical order:

==ALAC - Apple Lossless Audio Codec== http://www.apple.com/itunes/import.html

[[ALAC]] is a codec developed by Apple for usage in [[Apple iPod|iPod]] and AirPort Express.

===ALAC PROS===
* Very fast decoding
* [[Open source]] ([http://craz.net/programs/itunes/alac.html decoding only])
* Hardware support ([[Apple iPod|iPod]], AirPort Express)
* Streaming support
* Tagging support (QT tags)
* Excellent hardware-software-lossy format integration with [[iTunes]]/iPod.
* Supports [[multichannel]] audio and [[high resolution]]s

===ALAC CONS===
* Closed source (encoding)
* Limited software support
* Compression efficiency not on par with other lossless codecs
* No hybrid/lossy mode

===ALAC Other features===
* Fits in the [[MP4]] container
* Can be used with the AirPort Express gadget

==FLAC - Free Lossless Audio Codec== http://flac.sourceforge.net/

[[FLAC]] is a lossless codec developed by Josh Coalson. It's part of the Xiph multimedia portfolio, along with [[Ogg]], [[Vorbis]], [[Speex]] and [[Theora]].

===FLAC PROS===
* [[Open source]]
* Very fast decoding
* Hardware support ([[Rio Karma|Karma]], Phatbox, etc.)
* Very good software support
* Error robustness
* Streaming support
* Supports [[multichannel]] audio and [[high resolution]]s
* Tagging support (FLAC tags)
* Pipe support
* [[ReplayGain]] compatible

===FLAC CONS===
* Relatively slow encoding
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* Doesn't support [[RIFF]] chunks

===FLAC Other features===
* Supports embedded CUE sheets (with [http://flac.sourceforge.net/faq.html#general__no_cuesheet_tags limitations])
* Includes MD5 hashes for quick integrity checking
* Fits the [[Ogg]] and [[Matroska]] containers

==LA - LosslessAudio== http://www.lossless-audio.com/

[[LA]] is a lossless codec developed by Michael Bevin.

===LA PROS===
* Very high compression
* Tagging support ([[ID3v1]])
* Supports [[RIFF]] chunks
* Pipe support

===LA CONS===
* Closed source
* Very slow encoding and decoding
* Doesn't support [[multichannel]] audio and [[high resolution]]s
* No hardware support
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* Bad software support
* Doesn't support [[ReplayGain]]

'''''It's important to mention that the LA foobar plugin is buggy and doesn't produce lossless streams!'''''

==LPAC== http://www.nue.tu-berlin.de/wer/liebchen/lpac.html

Lossless Predictive Audio Coder ([[LPAC]]) is a lossless codec developed by Tilman Liebchen. Development of it has been halted in favour of development of [[MPEG-4]] ALS.

===LPAC PROS===
* Reasonable compression ratios
* [[High resolution]] audio support
* Supports [[RIFF]] chunks

===LPAC CONS===
* Closed source
* No error robustness
* Slow seeking
* No tagging
* No [[multichannel]] support
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* No hardware support
* Doesn't support [[ReplayGain]]

==Monkey's Audio== http://www.monkeysaudio.com/

[[Monkey's Audio]] is a very efficient lossless compressor developed by Matt Ashland.

===APE PROS===
* [[Open source]]
* High efficiency
* Good software support
* Java version (multiplatform)
* Tagging support ([[ID3v1]], [[APE tags]])
* [[High resolution]] audio support
* Supports [[RIFF]] chunks (only in the GUI encoder)
* Pipe support (only in a [http://www.etree.org/shnutils/shntool/ special] version)

===APE CONS===
* No [[multichannel]] support
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* No hardware support
* No error robustness
* Doesn't support [[ReplayGain]]

===APE Other features===
* Supports APL image link files (similar to CUE sheets)

==OptimFROG== http://losslessaudiocompression.com/

[[OptimFROG]] is a lossless format developed by Florin Ghido to become the champion in audio compression.

===OFR PROS===
* Very high compression
* Good software support
* Error robustness
* Streaming support
* Supports [[high resolution]]s
* Hybrid/lossy mode
* Tagging support ([[ID3]], [[APE tags]])
* Supports [[RIFF]] chunks
* [[ReplayGain]] compatible

===OFR CONS===
* Closed source
* No [[multichannel]] audio support
* No hardware support
* Quite slow decoding

===OFR Other features===
* Supports 32bit float streams
* Includes MD5 hashes for quick integrity checking

==RealAudio Lossless== http://www.realnetworks.com/products/codecs/realaudio.html

RealAudio lossless is the lossless codec developed by Real Networks for their multimedia portfolio

===RAL PROS===
* Very fast decoding
* Streaming support
* Tagging support (proprietary)

===RAL CONS===
* Closed source
* No [[multichannel]] and [[high resolution]] audio support
* Little software support (Real Player)
* No hardware support
* Compression efficiency not on par with other lossless codecs
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* No pipe support
* Doesn't support [[ReplayGain]]

==Shorten== http://www.etree.org/shnutils/shorten/

[[Shorten]] is a very old and featureless lossless codec developed by Tony Robinson at SoftSound.

===SHN PROS===
* [[Open source]]
* Fast decoding
* Very good software support
* Supports [[RIFF]] chunks
* Pipe support

===SHN CONS===
* Quite inefficient
* No [[multichannel]] or [[high resolution]] audio support
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* No error robustness
* Not streamable
* No hardware support
* No native tagging
* Doesn't support [[ReplayGain]]

==True Audio (TTA)== http://www.true-audio.com/

[[TTA]] is a new lossless codec developed by a team of russian programmers.

===TTA PROS===
* [[Open source]]
* Good efficiency
* Hardware support (obscure DVD player)
* Supports [[multichannel]] audio and [[high resolution]]s
* Tagging support ([[ID3]])
* [[ReplayGain]] compatible
* Error robustness

===TTA CONS===
* No streaming support
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* Doesn't support [[RIFF]] chunks
* No pipe support

===TTA Other features===
* Fits the [[Matroska]] container

==WavPack== http://www.wavpack.com/

[[WavPack]] is a fast and featureful lossless codec developed by David Bryant.

===WV PROS===
* [[Open source]]
* Very fast decoding
* Good efficiency
* Error robustness
* Streaming support
* Hardware support ([http://www.rockbox.org/ RockBox])
* Supports [[multichannel]] audio and [[high resolution]]s
* Hybrid/lossy mode
* Tagging support ([[ID3v1]], [[APE tags]])
* Supports [[RIFF]] chunks
* Ability to create self extracting files for Win32 platform
* Pipe support
* Good software support
* [[ReplayGain]] compatible

===WV CONS===
* Limited player support

===WV Other features===
* Supports 32bit float streams
* Supports embedded CUE sheets
* Includes MD5 hashes for quick integrity checking
* Can encode in both symmetrical and assymmetrical modes.
* Fits the [[Matroska]] container

==Windows Media Audio Lossless== http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/codecs/audio.aspx

WMA Lossless is the lossless codec developed by Microsoft to be featured in their Windows Media codec portfolio.

===WMAL PROS===
* Streaming support
* Very good software support
* Supports [[multichannel]] audio and [[high resolution]]s.
* Tagging support (proprietary)
* Pipe support

===WMAL CONS===
* Closed source
* No hybrid/lossy mode
* No hardware support (but it's likely to appear sooner or later)
* Doesn't support [[RIFF]] chunks
* Doesn't support [[ReplayGain]]

===WMAL Other features===
* Fits the [[ASF]] container

==Oddball Formats==

There are several old lossless formats that aren't being featured in the article above. Reasons are: lack of widespread support, lack of features, bad efficiency and, most importantly, it seems noone is really interested in them.

Most of those would have disappeared by now, but they are being preserved for posterity at [[User:Rjamorim|rjamorim]]'s [http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/ ReallyRareWares]

===Advanced Digital Audio (ADA)===

* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/ada.html

===Bonk===

* http://www.logarithmic.net/pfh/bonk

===Marian's a-Pac===

* http://www.marian.de/en/downloads#APAC
* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/apac.html

===AudioZip===

* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/audiozip.html

===Dakx WAV===

* http://www.dakx.com/
* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/daxwav.html

===Entis Lab MIO===

* http://www.entis.gr.jp/eri/frame.html
* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/mio.html

===LiteWave===

* http://www.clearjump.com/products/LiteWave.html
* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/litewave.html

===Pegasus SPS===

* http://www.krishnasoft.com/sps.htm
* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/pegasussps.html

===RKaudio===

* http://www.msoftware.co.nz/downloads_page.php
* http://rksoft.virtualave.net/rkau.html

===Split2000===

* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/split2000.html

===Sonarc===

* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/sonarc.html

===VocPack===

* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/vocpack.html

===WavArc===

* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/wavarc.html

===WaveZip/MUSICompress===

* http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/sndspace/
* http://www.rjamorim.com/rrw/wavezip.html

==Links==

Some links to lossless format compression comparisons:

* [http://web.inter.nl.net/users/hvdh/lossless/lossless.htm Hans Heijden's] (used as reference to build the table);
* [http://members.home.nl/w.speek/comparison.htm Speek's];
* [http://foobar2000.net/lossless/ Guruboolez'] - comparing only classical music;
* [http://uclc.info/lossless_audio_compression_test.htm Johan de Bock's] - aimed only at the maximum compression setting for each codec (based on a somewhat limited set of samples, however).

* Go to the [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=33226 Hydrogenaudio thread] to discuss this article.