Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase - User contributions [en]

LAME

2006-10-04T20:48:08Z

User: /* Remarks */

{{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
|}

'''Download the latest LAME from these links:'''
* [http://rarewares.org/ RareWares MP3 Page] - Compiles for Win32, Mac OS X universal binary, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, Linux etc.
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=290&package_id=309 LAME source code on SourceForge]

==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. History of [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125/ Lame versions & compiles].

'''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.

'''-mm''' : the sound will be encoded in '''mono'''. Eg. useful for low bitrates & when stereo is less important.

===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).

'''--preset voice''' is only available in the command line front-end, and is there for compatibility.
It is currently mapped to '''''--abr 56 -mm''''', so that means that the recommendation would be to encode in mono, and use ABR.

[[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==

'''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

2006-10-04T20:47:27Z

User: /* Quick start */

{{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
|}

'''Download the latest LAME from these links:'''
* [http://rarewares.org/ RareWares MP3 Page] - Compiles for Win32, Mac OS X universal binary, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, Linux etc.
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=290&package_id=309 LAME source code on SourceForge]

==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. History of [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125/ Lame versions & compiles].

'''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.
'''-mm''' : the sound will be encoded in '''mono'''. Eg. useful for low bitrates & when stereo is less important.

===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).

'''--preset voice''' is only available in the command line front-end, and is there for compatibility.
It is currently mapped to '''''--abr 56 -mm''''', so that means that the recommendation would be to encode in mono, and use ABR.

[[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==

'''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

2006-10-04T20:46:41Z

User: /* Quick start */

{{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
|}

'''Download the latest LAME from these links:'''
* [http://rarewares.org/ RareWares MP3 Page] - Compiles for Win32, Mac OS X universal binary, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, Linux etc.
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=290&package_id=309 LAME source code on SourceForge]

==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. History of [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125/ Lame versions & compiles].

'''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.
'''-mm''' : the sound will be encoded in '''mono'''. Eg. useful for low bitrates & when stereo is less important.

===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).
'''--preset voice''' is only available in the command line front-end, and is there for compatibility.

It is currently mapped to '''''--abr 56 -mm''''', so that means that the recommendation would be to encode in mono, and use ABR.

[[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==

'''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

2006-10-04T20:46:02Z

User: /* Remarks */

{{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
|}

'''Download the latest LAME from these links:'''
* [http://rarewares.org/ RareWares MP3 Page] - Compiles for Win32, Mac OS X universal binary, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, Linux etc.
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=290&package_id=309 LAME source code on SourceForge]

==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. History of [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125/ Lame versions & compiles].

'''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.
'''-mm''' : the sound will be encoded in '''mono'''. Eg. useful for low bitrates & when stereo is less important.

===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).
'''--preset voice''' is only available in the command line front-end, and is there for compatibility.
It is currently mapped to '''''--abr 56 -mm''''', so that means that the recommendation would be to encode in mono, and use ABR.

[[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==

'''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

2006-10-04T20:44:56Z

User: /* Quick start */

{{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
|}

'''Download the latest LAME from these links:'''
* [http://rarewares.org/ RareWares MP3 Page] - Compiles for Win32, Mac OS X universal binary, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, Linux etc.
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=290&package_id=309 LAME source code on SourceForge]

==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. History of [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125/ Lame versions & compiles].

'''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).
'''--preset voice''' is only available in the command line front-end, and is there for compatibility.
It is currently mapped to '''''--abr 56 -mm''''', so that means that the recommendation would be to encode in mono, and use ABR.

[[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==

'''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

2006-10-04T20:38:43Z

User: /* 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
|}

'''Download the latest LAME from these links:'''
* [http://rarewares.org/ RareWares MP3 Page] - Compiles for Win32, Mac OS X universal binary, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, Linux etc.
* [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=290&package_id=309 LAME source code on SourceForge]

==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. History of [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28125/ Lame versions & compiles].

'''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==

'''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]]

Musepack

2006-03-16T11:08:40Z

User: /* User oriented links */

=Introduction=
'''Musepack''' is a lossy audio compression scheme created by [[Andree Buschmann]]. It is strongly based on the [[MPEG-1]] Layer-2 ([[MP2]]) algorithms. Informal listening tests have demonstrated that MPC is the best [[lossy]] audio encoder at ~140kbps and above [[bitrate]]s, but competes less well at lower, 'streaming' bitrates such as 32/48/64kbps. This is due to MPC being a [[subband]] [[codec]] as well as the fact that very little optimization has gone into such low [[bitrate]]s. As can be seen in various 128kbit/s listening tests (see below), despite the fact that MPC has been optimized little for such bitrates it is in the same class of other modern competitors such as [[AAC]] and [[Ogg Vorbis]].

==Pros==
* Best [[lossy]] encoder for mid-high bitrates
* Suffers from far less "problem cases" than other formats.
* Very fast encoding/decoding
* Designed to be [[transparency|transparent]] by default at --standard setting.
* Open source encoder
* Portable playback by Pocket-PCs, Palm OS-based and Windows CE/Windows Mobile-based devices, even Smartphones, see http://tcpmp.corecodec.org
* Portable playback on iRiver h1x0 and Archos Gmini players, see http://www.rockbox.org
* Support & development forum at http://www.Musepack.net

==Cons==
* Marginal support (yet) on portable players
* No [[multichannel]]
* No specification available
* Seeking is imperfect (to be fixed in SV7.5)
* Not streamable
* Can't be cut/edited
* No support for [[sampling rate]]s above 48khz

=Technical details=
==Supported input formats (SV7)==
* channels: 1 or 2
* bit depths: 1 to 32 bit linear [[PCM]]
* sample rates: 32kHz, 37.8kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz (44.1 and 48 are highly tuned)
* [[WAV]], raw [[PCM]], a lot of [[lossless]] compressed audio formats like [[FLAC]], [[LPAC]], [[Monkey's_Audio|APE]], [[OptimFROG]], [[SZIP]] and Shorten ([[SHN]])

==Encoder Functions==
[[MPC Encoder Functions]]

=Links=
==User oriented links==
* [http://musepack.net Musepack.net] - a general info, news and software site.
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1927 Users' HowTo MPC guide at HydrogenAudio]
* [[Case]]'s [http://www.saunalahti.fi/~cse/ page] (Winamp plug-ins and more).
* [[Frank Klemm]]'s [http://www.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/ official page (out of order now)]
* Mirrored at: http://hydrogenaudio.org/musepack/klemm/www.personal.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/
* [http://betaplayer.corecodec.org/ BetaPlayer], the first Musepack-able player on PocketPCs

==Technical links==
* [[Frank Klemm]]'s [http://www.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/ official page]
* [http://www.audiocoding.com/modules/wiki/?page=MPC MPC at AudioCodingWiki]
* [http://www.caddr.com/code/libmusepack libmusepack portable musepack decoding library (in progress)]

==Listening test involving MPC==
* [http://ff123.net/128tests.html ff123's 128kbit/s group listening test]
* [http://ff123.net/128test/instruct.html ff123's second 128kbit/s group listening test]
* [http://audio.ciara.us/test/128extension/results.html rjamorim's 128kbit/s test]

Please note that some of these tests, while valid, used versions of the encoders in almost all of the formats tested which have now been superseded. You should make your own decision about the comparative quality of MPC, listening to clips of music in the style you prefer.

Also note that these are tests at low bitrates; an area where MPC is not particularly optimized. The encoder was designed by the author to be transparent at the --standard setting, thus little to no low [[bitrate]] tuning has gone into the [[codec]], opposite to that of [[AAC]], [[Ogg Vorbis]], [[WMA]] and others which focus more on this region. However, as can be seen in the various listening test pages, MPC competes surprisingly well with the rest of them.

Musepack

2006-03-16T11:04:33Z

User: /* Pros */

=Introduction=
'''Musepack''' is a lossy audio compression scheme created by [[Andree Buschmann]]. It is strongly based on the [[MPEG-1]] Layer-2 ([[MP2]]) algorithms. Informal listening tests have demonstrated that MPC is the best [[lossy]] audio encoder at ~140kbps and above [[bitrate]]s, but competes less well at lower, 'streaming' bitrates such as 32/48/64kbps. This is due to MPC being a [[subband]] [[codec]] as well as the fact that very little optimization has gone into such low [[bitrate]]s. As can be seen in various 128kbit/s listening tests (see below), despite the fact that MPC has been optimized little for such bitrates it is in the same class of other modern competitors such as [[AAC]] and [[Ogg Vorbis]].

==Pros==
* Best [[lossy]] encoder for mid-high bitrates
* Suffers from far less "problem cases" than other formats.
* Very fast encoding/decoding
* Designed to be [[transparency|transparent]] by default at --standard setting.
* Open source encoder
* Portable playback by Pocket-PCs, Palm OS-based and Windows CE/Windows Mobile-based devices, even Smartphones, see http://tcpmp.corecodec.org
* Portable playback on iRiver h1x0 and Archos Gmini players, see http://www.rockbox.org
* Support & development forum at http://www.Musepack.net

==Cons==
* Marginal support (yet) on portable players
* No [[multichannel]]
* No specification available
* Seeking is imperfect (to be fixed in SV7.5)
* Not streamable
* Can't be cut/edited
* No support for [[sampling rate]]s above 48khz

=Technical details=
==Supported input formats (SV7)==
* channels: 1 or 2
* bit depths: 1 to 32 bit linear [[PCM]]
* sample rates: 32kHz, 37.8kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz (44.1 and 48 are highly tuned)
* [[WAV]], raw [[PCM]], a lot of [[lossless]] compressed audio formats like [[FLAC]], [[LPAC]], [[Monkey's_Audio|APE]], [[OptimFROG]], [[SZIP]] and Shorten ([[SHN]])

==Encoder Functions==
[[MPC Encoder Functions]]

=Links=
==User oriented links==
* [http://musepack.net Musepack.net] - a general info, news and software site.
* [[Case]]'s [http://www.saunalahti.fi/~cse/ page] (Winamp plug-ins and more).
* [[Frank Klemm]]'s [http://www.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/ official page (out of order now)]
* Mirrored at: http://hydrogenaudio.org/musepack/klemm/www.personal.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/
* [http://betaplayer.corecodec.org/ BetaPlayer], the first Musepack-able player on PocketPCs

==Technical links==
* [[Frank Klemm]]'s [http://www.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/ official page]
* [http://www.audiocoding.com/modules/wiki/?page=MPC MPC at AudioCodingWiki]
* [http://www.caddr.com/code/libmusepack libmusepack portable musepack decoding library (in progress)]

==Listening test involving MPC==
* [http://ff123.net/128tests.html ff123's 128kbit/s group listening test]
* [http://ff123.net/128test/instruct.html ff123's second 128kbit/s group listening test]
* [http://audio.ciara.us/test/128extension/results.html rjamorim's 128kbit/s test]

Please note that some of these tests, while valid, used versions of the encoders in almost all of the formats tested which have now been superseded. You should make your own decision about the comparative quality of MPC, listening to clips of music in the style you prefer.

Also note that these are tests at low bitrates; an area where MPC is not particularly optimized. The encoder was designed by the author to be transparent at the --standard setting, thus little to no low [[bitrate]] tuning has gone into the [[codec]], opposite to that of [[AAC]], [[Ogg Vorbis]], [[WMA]] and others which focus more on this region. However, as can be seen in the various listening test pages, MPC competes surprisingly well with the rest of them.

Musepack

2006-03-16T11:03:37Z

User: /* Pros */

=Introduction=
'''Musepack''' is a lossy audio compression scheme created by [[Andree Buschmann]]. It is strongly based on the [[MPEG-1]] Layer-2 ([[MP2]]) algorithms. Informal listening tests have demonstrated that MPC is the best [[lossy]] audio encoder at ~140kbps and above [[bitrate]]s, but competes less well at lower, 'streaming' bitrates such as 32/48/64kbps. This is due to MPC being a [[subband]] [[codec]] as well as the fact that very little optimization has gone into such low [[bitrate]]s. As can be seen in various 128kbit/s listening tests (see below), despite the fact that MPC has been optimized little for such bitrates it is in the same class of other modern competitors such as [[AAC]] and [[Ogg Vorbis]].

==Pros==
* Best [[lossy]] encoder for mid-high bitrates
* Suffers from far less "problem cases" than other formats.
* Very fast encoding/decoding
* Designed to be [[transparency|transparent]] by default at --standard setting.
* Open source encoder
* Portable playback by Pocket-PCs, Palm OS-based and Windows CE/Windows Mobile-based devices, even Smartphones, see http://tcpmp.corecodec.org
* Portable playback on iRiver h1x0 and Archos Gmini players, see www.rockbox.org
* Support & development forum at www.Musepack.net

==Cons==
* Marginal support (yet) on portable players
* No [[multichannel]]
* No specification available
* Seeking is imperfect (to be fixed in SV7.5)
* Not streamable
* Can't be cut/edited
* No support for [[sampling rate]]s above 48khz

=Technical details=
==Supported input formats (SV7)==
* channels: 1 or 2
* bit depths: 1 to 32 bit linear [[PCM]]
* sample rates: 32kHz, 37.8kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz (44.1 and 48 are highly tuned)
* [[WAV]], raw [[PCM]], a lot of [[lossless]] compressed audio formats like [[FLAC]], [[LPAC]], [[Monkey's_Audio|APE]], [[OptimFROG]], [[SZIP]] and Shorten ([[SHN]])

==Encoder Functions==
[[MPC Encoder Functions]]

=Links=
==User oriented links==
* [http://musepack.net Musepack.net] - a general info, news and software site.
* [[Case]]'s [http://www.saunalahti.fi/~cse/ page] (Winamp plug-ins and more).
* [[Frank Klemm]]'s [http://www.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/ official page (out of order now)]
* Mirrored at: http://hydrogenaudio.org/musepack/klemm/www.personal.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/
* [http://betaplayer.corecodec.org/ BetaPlayer], the first Musepack-able player on PocketPCs

==Technical links==
* [[Frank Klemm]]'s [http://www.uni-jena.de/~pfk/mpp/ official page]
* [http://www.audiocoding.com/modules/wiki/?page=MPC MPC at AudioCodingWiki]
* [http://www.caddr.com/code/libmusepack libmusepack portable musepack decoding library (in progress)]

==Listening test involving MPC==
* [http://ff123.net/128tests.html ff123's 128kbit/s group listening test]
* [http://ff123.net/128test/instruct.html ff123's second 128kbit/s group listening test]
* [http://audio.ciara.us/test/128extension/results.html rjamorim's 128kbit/s test]

Please note that some of these tests, while valid, used versions of the encoders in almost all of the formats tested which have now been superseded. You should make your own decision about the comparative quality of MPC, listening to clips of music in the style you prefer.

Also note that these are tests at low bitrates; an area where MPC is not particularly optimized. The encoder was designed by the author to be transparent at the --standard setting, thus little to no low [[bitrate]] tuning has gone into the [[codec]], opposite to that of [[AAC]], [[Ogg Vorbis]], [[WMA]] and others which focus more on this region. However, as can be seen in the various listening test pages, MPC competes surprisingly well with the rest of them.

Joint stereo

2006-02-27T14:30:45Z

User:

Joint stereo coding methods try to increase the coding efficiency when encoding stereo signals by exploiting commonalties between the left and right signal. There are two usual joint stereo coding algorithms, namely mid-side (ms) stereo coding and intensity stereo coding. Ms stereo applies a matrix to the left and right channel signals, computing sum and difference of the two original signals. Whenever a signal is concentrated in the middle of the stereo image, ms stereo can achieve a significant saving in [[bitrate]]. Even more important is the fact that by applying the inverse matrix in the decoder the quantization noise becomes correlated and falls in the middle of the stereo image where it is masked by the signal.

[[Intensity stereo]] coding is a method that achieves a saving in bitrate by replacing the left and the right signal by a single representing signal plus directional information. This replacement is psychoacoustically justified in the higher [[frequency]] range since the human auditory system is insensitive to the signal phase at frequencies above approximately 2kHz.

Intensity stereo is by definition a [[lossy]] coding method thus it is primarily useful at low bitrates. For coding at higher bitrates only ms stereo should be used.

Text © Menno Bakker - [http://www.audiocoding.com/ Audiocoding]

Some more details, history and examples about joint stereo & mid/side coding:

mid/side can be lossless like obviously in Lossless formats Flac, Wavpack, Monkey's Audio (ape) etc., but in lossy encoders the encoder tries to do the best to minimize all losses in perception. And here the encoder has not only to deal with stereo modes, but also with mids, highs etc. etc.
So, regarding lossy formats like MP3 (Lame, Fraunhofer, Xing), Musepack (MPC), Vorbis etc., the mid/side coding might be even mathematical lossless, might be perceptual lossless (=transparent), or not so lossless at all at low bitrates.
So, it depends in the lossy formats about the quality of mid/side (js) coding.
From obvious bad sounding bugs like in some old Fraunhofer mp3 ("Radium hack"), not so optimized perfomance like in mp3-Xing, up to the optimized js-modes in mp3-Lame, which offer frame-dependent stereo or mid/side coding to achieve maximum qualities. And advanced formats like mp3-lame, Musepack-MPC or Vorbis-ogg offer increasing js(mid/side//stereo)qualities in increasing general quality (q) levels, examples:
Mp3-Lame inside the presets eg. -V quality levels, with different -msfix values up to the "nssafejoint" mode in 320 kbit cbr.
Musepack-MPC inside the various q-levels/presets and the --ms x switch.
Vorbis in its presets, 1 example above q6 the "lossless stereo coupling".

So, regarding js/mid/side coding, there is no black & white, there are shades of grey, dependent on the target bitrate or quality level.
(Even if you ignore faulty implementations like in old Fraunhofer/"Radium hack" or Xing). But it should be said, that the prejudice of js=bad originates with high probability by these old faulty implementations of ancient encoders.

written by user - [http://www.High-Quality.ch.vu/ High Quality Audio guides]

User:User

2005-10-16T20:33:38Z

User:

my preferred pages, guides & tutorials for audio:

[http://www.High-Quality.ch.vu www.High-Quality.ch.vu]

User:User

2005-10-16T20:32:47Z

User:

my preferred pages, guides & tutorials for audio:

[http://www.High-Quality.ch.vu]

User:User

2005-10-16T20:31:57Z

User:

my preferred pages, guides & tutorials for audio:

http://www.High-Quality.ch.vu

EAC and Lame

2005-10-16T20:29:50Z

User: /* Installation */

===Software Needed===
* [http://exactaudiocopy.org/eac6.html Exact Audio Copy]
* [http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Recommended_LAME Recommended LAME version]

===Installation===
'''Note:''' This guide assumes that EAC has been configured for secure ripping, if not please follow [[EAC_Drive_Configuration | this]] guide.
* Unzip the chosen LAME version into the same directory that EAC is in.

===Configuration===

* Open EAC and insert a CD into the drive.
* Click the '''EAC''' menu and select '''Compression Options'''.
* Click the '''External Compression''' Tab, and put a check box in '''use external program for compression'''.
* Change '''Parameter Passing Scheme''' to '''User Defined Encoder'''.
* Change '''Use file extension''' to '''.mp3''' if not already that.
* Click the '''Browse''' button and locate the '''LAME.exe''' that you unzipped earlier.
* Remove the ticks from '''Use CRC check''', '''Add ID3 tag''' and '''check for external programs return code'''.
* Do not worry what bit rate is shown in the '''Bit rate''' drop down box as this will not have any effect on the resultant MP3 file (See Note 4 at the bottom of this page).

* In the '''Addtional command line options''' box, copy and paste one of the below strings based on the Tag you would prefer.

'''No Tags:'''

'''-V 2 --vbr-new''' %s %d

'''ID3v1:'''

'''-V 2 --vbr-new''' --id3v1-only --ta "%a" --tt "%t" --tl "%g" --ty "%y" --tn "%n" %s %d

'''ID3v2:'''

'''-V 2 --vbr-new''' --id3v2-only --pad-id3v2 --ta "%a" --tt "%t" --tl "%g" --ty "%y" --tn "%n" %s %d

'''ID3v1 and ID3v2:'''

'''-V 2 --vbr-new''' --add-id3v2 --pad-id3v2 --ta "%a" --tt "%t" --tl "%g" --ty "%y" --tn "%n" %s %d

'''APEv2: (requires [http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/files/wapet.zip wapet.exe])'''
* Set file extension to .mp3
* Locate '''wapet.exe'''
%d -t "Artist=%a" -t "Title=%t" -t "Album=%g" -t "Year=%y" -t "Track=%n" -t "Genre=%m" LAME.exe '''-V 2 --vbr-new''' %s %d

'''Note 1:''' LAME.exe needs to be in the same directory as wapet.exe.

'''Note 2:''' If you wanted to change the [[LAME#Encoder_Presets| LAME preset]], the green portion what you would substitute with the new preset.

'''Note 3:''' If you are using LAME version 3.95.1+, please note that '''--alt-preset''' is no longer used, it is now just '''--preset'''

'''Note 4:''' The '''%l...%l''' and '''%h...%h''' placeholders are used to add text according to whether the High quality or Low quality radio button is selected as shown below:

'''Note 5:''' The '''%s''' and '''%d''' at the end of each string above are placeholders for EAC. '''%s''' means '''Source filename''' and '''%d''' means '''Destination filename'''.

'''%l--preset 128%l%h--preset standard%h''' %s %d

Therefore, if you select '''Low quality''', EAC will invoke the LAME encoder with the following command line parameters:

LAME.exe --preset 128 %s %d

..and if you select '''High quality''' EAC will invoke LAME with these command line parameters:

LAME.exe --preset standard %s %d

You can access the bitrate value in the dropdown list using the '''%r''' placeholder, For Example:

--preset %r %s %d

So, if you selected '''192 kBit/s''' in the '''Bit Rate''' drop-down list, the command line would be:

LAME.exe --preset 192 %s %d

It is a generally accepted fact that the bitrate selected in the drop-down list doesn't affect the command line. In essence this is true, as it will not affect the command line ''unless you use the %r placeholder''. However, using ABR or CBR over VBR is not recommended and hence, you will probably never have to use the '''%r''' option.

<center>[[Image:EAC_LAME02.png|frame|center|LAME configured with ID3v1 tagging]]</center>

Recommended LAME

2005-10-16T20:26:13Z

User: /* VBR (Variable bitrate) settings */

==Introduction==

This article is meant to explain to the users what are the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended settings to be used with [[LAME]] for highest quality [[MP3]] encoding.

These settings require LAME 3.94 or later. LAME 3.97beta found on this website is the recommended version ([[LAME Compiles|check here to download]]).

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

Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale is following: 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).

''Note: all modes and settings mentioned in this topic belong to the specifications of the MP3 standard, and the resulting MP3s should be played by every standard-conform MP3-Decoder. If this shouldn't be the case, blame the manufacturer or developer of your MP3-Decoder/device.''

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
'''[[VBR]]:''' ''variable bitrate mode, the goal is to keep a constant quality and saving bits where possible without lowering the quality.''

[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

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

If the target is eg. streaming, where you need MP3 in ABR or even CBR mode, there are still the ABR and CBR modes.

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
'''[[ABR]]:''' ''average bitrate mode varies bits around a specified target bitrate''

''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --preset <bitrate>

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

:: Example: --preset 200

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==
'''[[CBR]]:''' ''constant bitrate mode is not efficient regarding distributing bitrate to more complex music parts and saving bits where it would be possible without lowering the quality of those music parts. Only recommended for usage in streaming situations where the upper bitrate margin must be strictly enforced.''

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** -b <bitrate>

<bitrate> (bitrate in kbit/s) can be only: 8 , 16 , 24 , 32 , 40 , 48 , 64 , 80 , 96 , 112 , 128 , 160 , 192 , 256 or 320.

==Remarks==
The '''--vbr-new''' switch enables the new VBR mode. Lame will encode much faster compared to old/default vbr mode. Current knowledge qualitywise comparing vbr with --vbr-new is, that --vbr-new might even be better qualitywise than the default vbr mode, but there are also reports about artefact, which is worse in --vbr-new compared to default. Though the general impression is, that --vbr-new should be recommended over vbr-default.
--vbr-new can be faster and at equal/better quality at same time, because it uses a different algorithm than old/default vbr mode.

===Quick Start===

'''Best Quality : 'archiving''''

-b 320. 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.
Alternative: [[Lossless]] formats like [[WavPack]], [[FLAC]] etc. allow true archiving bit for bit like on original CD.

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

-V3 --vbr-new (~175 kbps), -V2 --vbr-new (~190 kbps), -V1 --vbr-new (~210 kbps) or -V0 --vbr-new (~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 marginal.

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

-V6 --vbr-new (~115 kbps), -V5 --vbr-new (~130 kbps) or -V4 --vbr-new (~160 kbps) are recommended for this use.
-V6 --vbr-new produces an acceptable quality, while -V4--vbr-new 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 '''--abr xx''' (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]]

The revolutionary --alt-preset system introduced in LAME 3.90, is replaced nowadays by the preset system, which is already substituted by the above explained settings -V x system.

You don't need to worry anymore about quality, settings, switches, presets, if you stick to the recommended settings discussed here, everything will be fine and optimized.

If you select nowadays in LAME 3.97 either --alt-preset xy , preset xy or corresponding switch xy, you will always get the same, simply stick to one of the recommended switches of the table or described here in the text.

E.G.: --alt-preset cbr 320 is the exact same thing as --alt-preset insane etc.:

--alt-preset insane = --preset insane = -b 320 = --preset 320 = --preset cbr 320

==Setting up EAC for LAME.exe with tagging==

{{:EAC and Lame}}

==Additional reading==

* [[LAME|More information on LAME]]
* [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)]
* [[Recommended LAME credits|Credits for the recommended settings]]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32288&view=findpost&p=327262 Previous recommendations (outdated)]
* [[MP3]]
* [[LAME]]
* [[Exact_Audio_Copy|Exact Audio Copy]]

----
[[Recommended LAME credits|Credits]]

Recommended LAME

2005-10-16T20:21:12Z

User: /* Quick Start */

==Introduction==

This article is meant to explain to the users what are the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended settings to be used with [[LAME]] for highest quality [[MP3]] encoding.

These settings require LAME 3.94 or later. LAME 3.97beta found on this website is the recommended version ([[LAME Compiles|check here to download]]).

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

Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale is following: 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).

''Note: all modes and settings mentioned in this topic belong to the specifications of the MP3 standard, and the resulting MP3s should be played by every standard-conform MP3-Decoder. If this shouldn't be the case, blame the manufacturer or developer of your MP3-Decoder/device.''

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
'''[[VBR]]:''' ''variable bitrate mode, the goal is to keep a constant quality and saving bits where possible without lowering the quality.''

[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

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

If the target is eg. streaming, where you need MP3 in ABR or even CBR mode, there are still the ABR and CBR modes.

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
'''[[ABR]]:''' ''average bitrate mode varies bits around a specified target bitrate''

''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --preset <bitrate>

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

:: Example: --preset 200

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==
'''[[CBR]]:''' ''constant bitrate mode is not efficient regarding distributing bitrate to more complex music parts and saving bits where it would be possible without lowering the quality of those music parts. Only recommended for usage in streaming situations where the upper bitrate margin must be strictly enforced.''

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** -b <bitrate>

<bitrate> (bitrate in kbit/s) can be only: 8 , 16 , 24 , 32 , 40 , 48 , 64 , 80 , 96 , 112 , 128 , 160 , 192 , 256 or 320.

==Remarks==
The '''--vbr-new''' switch enables the new VBR mode. Lame will encode much faster compared to old/default vbr mode. Current knowledge qualitywise comparing vbr with --vbr-new is, that --vbr-new might even be better qualitywise than the default vbr mode, but there are also reports about artefact, which is worse in --vbr-new compared to default. Though the general impression is, that --vbr-new should be recommended over vbr-default.
--vbr-new can be faster and at equal/better quality at same time, because it uses a different algorithm than old/default vbr mode.

===Quick Start===

'''Best Quality : 'archiving''''

-b 320. 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.
Alternative: [[Lossless]] formats like [[WavPack]], [[FLAC]] etc. allow true archiving bit for bit like on original CD.

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

-V3 --vbr-new (~175 kbps), -V2 --vbr-new (~190 kbps), -V1 --vbr-new (~210 kbps) or -V0 --vbr-new (~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 marginal.

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

-V6 --vbr-new (~115 kbps), -V5 --vbr-new (~130 kbps) or -V4 --vbr-new (~160 kbps) are recommended for this use.
-V6 --vbr-new produces an acceptable quality, while -V4--vbr-new 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 '''--abr xx''' (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]]

The revolutionary --alt-preset system introduced in LAME 3.90, is replaced nowadays by the preset system, which is already substituted by the above explained settings -V x system.

You don't need to worry anymore about quality, settings, switches, presets, if you stick to the recommended settings discussed here, everything will be fine and optimized.

If you select nowadays in LAME 3.97 either --alt-preset xy , preset xy or corresponding switch xy, you will always get the same, simply stick to one of the recommended switches of the table or described here in the text.

E.G.: --alt-preset cbr 320 is the exact same thing as --alt-preset insane etc.:

--alt-preset insane = --preset insane = -b 320 = --preset 320 = --preset cbr 320

==Setting up EAC for LAME.exe with tagging==

{{:EAC and Lame}}

==Additional reading==

* [[LAME|More information on LAME]]
* [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)]
* [[Recommended LAME credits|Credits for the recommended settings]]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32288&view=findpost&p=327262 Previous recommendations (outdated)]
* [[MP3]]
* [[LAME]]
* [[Exact_Audio_Copy|Exact Audio Copy]]

----
[[Recommended LAME credits|Credits]]

Recommended LAME

2005-10-16T20:16:17Z

User: /* Quick Start */

==Introduction==

This article is meant to explain to the users what are the [[Hydrogenaudio]] recommended settings to be used with [[LAME]] for highest quality [[MP3]] encoding.

These settings require LAME 3.94 or later. LAME 3.97beta found on this website is the recommended version ([[LAME Compiles|check here to download]]).

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

Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale is following: 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).

''Note: all modes and settings mentioned in this topic belong to the specifications of the MP3 standard, and the resulting MP3s should be played by every standard-conform MP3-Decoder. If this shouldn't be the case, blame the manufacturer or developer of your MP3-Decoder/device.''

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
'''[[VBR]]:''' ''variable bitrate mode, the goal is to keep a constant quality and saving bits where possible without lowering the quality.''

[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

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

If the target is eg. streaming, where you need MP3 in ABR or even CBR mode, there are still the ABR and CBR modes.

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
'''[[ABR]]:''' ''average bitrate mode varies bits around a specified target bitrate''

''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --preset <bitrate>

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

:: Example: --preset 200

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==
'''[[CBR]]:''' ''constant bitrate mode is not efficient regarding distributing bitrate to more complex music parts and saving bits where it would be possible without lowering the quality of those music parts. Only recommended for usage in streaming situations where the upper bitrate margin must be strictly enforced.''

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** -b <bitrate>

<bitrate> (bitrate in kbit/s) can be only: 8 , 16 , 24 , 32 , 40 , 48 , 64 , 80 , 96 , 112 , 128 , 160 , 192 , 256 or 320.

==Remarks==
The '''--vbr-new''' switch enables the new VBR mode. Lame will encode much faster compared to old/default vbr mode. Current knowledge qualitywise comparing vbr with --vbr-new is, that --vbr-new might even be better qualitywise than the default vbr mode, but there are also reports about artefact, which is worse in --vbr-new compared to default. Though the general impression is, that --vbr-new should be recommended over vbr-default.
--vbr-new can be faster and at equal/better quality at same time, because it uses a different algorithm than old/default vbr mode.

===Quick Start===

'''Best Quality : 'archiving''''

-b 320. 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.
Alternative: [[Lossless]] formats like [[WavPack]], [[FLAC]] etc. allow true archiving bit for bit like on original CD.

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

-V3 --vbr-new (~175 kbps), -V2 --vbr-new (~190 kbps), -V1 --vbr-new (~210 kbps) or -V0 --vbr-new (~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 marginal.

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

-V6 --vbr-new (~115 kbps), -V5 --vbr-new (~130 kbps) or -V4 --vbr-new (~160 kbps) are recommended for this use.
-V6 --vbr-new produces an acceptable quality, while -V4--vbr-new 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 '''--abr xx''' (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:]]

The revolutionary --alt-preset system introduced in LAME 3.90, is replaced nowadays by the preset system, which is already substituted by the above explained settings -V x system.

You don't need to worry anymore about quality, settings, switches, presets, if you stick to the recommended settings discussed here, everything will be fine and optimized.

If you select nowadays in LAME 3.97 either --alt-preset xy , preset xy or corresponding switch xy, you will always get the same, simply stick to one of the recommended switches of the table or described here in the text.

E.G.: --alt-preset cbr 320 is the exact same thing as --alt-preset insane etc.:

--alt-preset insane = --preset insane = -b 320 = --preset 320 = --preset cbr 320

==Setting up EAC for LAME.exe with tagging==

{{:EAC and Lame}}

==Additional reading==

* [[LAME|More information on LAME]]
* [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)]
* [[Recommended LAME credits|Credits for the recommended settings]]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32288&view=findpost&p=327262 Previous recommendations (outdated)]
* [[MP3]]
* [[LAME]]
* [[Exact_Audio_Copy|Exact Audio Copy]]

----
[[Recommended LAME credits|Credits]]

Recommended LAME

2005-10-07T20:56:33Z

User: /* ABR (average bitrate) settings */

'''Note: These settings require Lame 3.97 or later. Lame 3.97 found on this website is the recommended version''' ([[Lame Compiles|Check here to download]])

''Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale usually works to where VBR is higher quality than ABR which is higher quality than CBR (CBR < ABR < VBR in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible CBR bitrate which is 320kbps. In the case of the named VBR profiles "standard" and "extreme" they are usually "effectively" equal in quality to high bitrate cbr, in the range of around 256 kbps due to their ability to scale down the bitrate when necessary but increase the bitrate beyond 256 kbps on a frame by frame basis also, when that is necessary.''

=Recommended encoder settings=

* -V 2 or --preset standard (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220. '''Best quality / size ratio''')

* -V 2 --vbr-new or --preset fast standard (~190 kbit/s, faster)

* -V 0 or --preset extreme (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270. Quality can be a little better than standard)

* -V 0 --vbr-new or --preset fast extreme (~250 kbit/s, faster)

* -b 320 or --preset insane (320 kbit/s CBR, highest possible quality, that can be a little higher than extreme)

For high quality on portable MP3 players, you may use --alt-preset standard -Y (around 160 kbit/s). -Y usually limits to 16 KHz, something you likely won't notice unless you have an exeptional hearing.

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with ABR, but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-10, 0 being highest quality, 10 being the lowest.

V0 is ~280kbs
V1 is ~250kbs

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --preset <bitrate>
:: Example: --preset 200

* '''128 kbit/s ABR'''
** -V5 --athaa-sensitivity 1 (when using >= LAME 3.96.1, for best results at 128kbps)
** --preset 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: --abr 128 -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93
:: but this is only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT for Lame 3.97b1 and later !

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** -b <bitrate>
:: Example: -b 96

* '''128 kbit/s CBR'''
** -b 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93
:: but this is only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT for Lame 3.97b1 and later !

: note: --b 320 is the exact same thing as --preset insane

==Additional reading==

[http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 List of recommended LAME settings] @ HydrogenAudio forum

Recommended LAME

2005-10-07T20:55:39Z

User: /* CBR (constant bitrate) settings */

'''Note: These settings require Lame 3.97 or later. Lame 3.97 found on this website is the recommended version''' ([[Lame Compiles|Check here to download]])

''Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale usually works to where VBR is higher quality than ABR which is higher quality than CBR (CBR < ABR < VBR in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible CBR bitrate which is 320kbps. In the case of the named VBR profiles "standard" and "extreme" they are usually "effectively" equal in quality to high bitrate cbr, in the range of around 256 kbps due to their ability to scale down the bitrate when necessary but increase the bitrate beyond 256 kbps on a frame by frame basis also, when that is necessary.''

=Recommended encoder settings=

* -V 2 or --preset standard (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220. '''Best quality / size ratio''')

* -V 2 --vbr-new or --preset fast standard (~190 kbit/s, faster)

* -V 0 or --preset extreme (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270. Quality can be a little better than standard)

* -V 0 --vbr-new or --preset fast extreme (~250 kbit/s, faster)

* -b 320 or --preset insane (320 kbit/s CBR, highest possible quality, that can be a little higher than extreme)

For high quality on portable MP3 players, you may use --alt-preset standard -Y (around 160 kbit/s). -Y usually limits to 16 KHz, something you likely won't notice unless you have an exeptional hearing.

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with ABR, but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-10, 0 being highest quality, 10 being the lowest.

V0 is ~280kbs
V1 is ~250kbs

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --preset <bitrate>
:: Example: --preset 200

* '''128 kbit/s ABR'''
** -V5 --athaa-sensitivity 1 (when using >= LAME 3.96.1, for best results at 128kbps)
** --preset 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: --abr 128 -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** -b <bitrate>
:: Example: -b 96

* '''128 kbit/s CBR'''
** -b 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93
:: but this is only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT for Lame 3.97b1 and later !

: note: --b 320 is the exact same thing as --preset insane

==Additional reading==

[http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 List of recommended LAME settings] @ HydrogenAudio forum

LAME

2005-09-29T08:56:42Z

User: /* ABR (average bitrate) settings */

LAME (LAME Ain't an [[MP3]] Encoder) is the recommended encoder. It has been developed by the open-source community since 1998, and has become the highest quality encoder for most purposes.

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

'''Note: These settings require Lame 3.90 or later. Lame 3.90.3 found on this website is the recommended version''' ([[Lame Compiles|Check here to download]])

''Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale usually works to where VBR is higher quality than ABR which is higher quality than CBR (CBR < ABR < VBR in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible CBR bitrate which is 320kbps. In the case of the named VBR profiles "standard" and "extreme" they are usually "effectively" equal in quality to high bitrate cbr, in the range of around 256 kbps due to their ability to scale down the bitrate when necessary but increase the bitrate beyond 256 kbps on a frame by frame basis also, when that is necessary.''

=Encoder Presets=

'''Recommended Preset'''
* '''--alt-preset standard''' (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220. '''Best quality / size ratio''')

'''Other Presets'''
* '''--alt-preset fast standard''' (~190 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)

* '''--alt-preset extreme''' (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270. Quality can be a little better than standard)

* '''--alt-preset fast extreme''' (~250 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)

* '''--alt-preset insane''' (320 kbit/s CBR, highest possible quality, that can be a little higher than extreme)

'''Note:''' ''Lame version 3.95.1 and above use a different naming scheme for the presets, e.g. '''--alt-preset standard''' becomes '''--preset standard''' so if you remove '''alt-''' from the above presets, they will work with newer versions of Lame.''

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
*[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

{| align=center border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|+'''Lame 3.96.1 -V n, Presets, bitrates and lowpass of V values'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbps''' || '''Y Switch''' || '''-b''' || '''Lowpass''' || '''Resample'''
|-
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || 240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || 240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 || || 210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || ||210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 || --preset standard || 190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || 190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 || || 175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || 175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 || --preset medium || 165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || 165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 || || 130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || 130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 || || 115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || 115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 7 || || 100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || 100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 || || 85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || 85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 || || 65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || 65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|}

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --alt-preset <bitrate>
:: Example: --alt-preset 200

* '''128 kbit/s ABR'''
** -V5 --athaa-sensitivity 1 (when using >= LAME 3.96.1, for best results at 128kbps)
** --alt-preset 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: --abr 128 -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93
:: but this is only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT for Lame 3.97b1 and later !

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --alt-preset cbr <bitrate>
:: Example: --alt-preset cbr 96

* '''128 kbit/s CBR'''
** --alt-preset cbr 128

:: or: (only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT recommended for Lame > 3.97b1)(ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93

: note: --alt-preset cbr 320 is the exact same thing as --alt-preset insane

==Additional reading==

* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 List of recommended LAME settings] @ HydrogenAudio forum
* [http://lame.sourceforge.net LAME homepage]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=18091 -V n (in 3.95.1), Presets, bitrates and lowpass of V value] created by Vietwoojagig
* [[EAC_and_Lame | Configuring EAC and LAME]]

LAME

2005-09-29T08:55:49Z

User: /* ABR (average bitrate) settings */

LAME (LAME Ain't an [[MP3]] Encoder) is the recommended encoder. It has been developed by the open-source community since 1998, and has become the highest quality encoder for most purposes.

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

'''Note: These settings require Lame 3.90 or later. Lame 3.90.3 found on this website is the recommended version''' ([[Lame Compiles|Check here to download]])

''Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale usually works to where VBR is higher quality than ABR which is higher quality than CBR (CBR < ABR < VBR in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible CBR bitrate which is 320kbps. In the case of the named VBR profiles "standard" and "extreme" they are usually "effectively" equal in quality to high bitrate cbr, in the range of around 256 kbps due to their ability to scale down the bitrate when necessary but increase the bitrate beyond 256 kbps on a frame by frame basis also, when that is necessary.''

=Encoder Presets=

'''Recommended Preset'''
* '''--alt-preset standard''' (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220. '''Best quality / size ratio''')

'''Other Presets'''
* '''--alt-preset fast standard''' (~190 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)

* '''--alt-preset extreme''' (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270. Quality can be a little better than standard)

* '''--alt-preset fast extreme''' (~250 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)

* '''--alt-preset insane''' (320 kbit/s CBR, highest possible quality, that can be a little higher than extreme)

'''Note:''' ''Lame version 3.95.1 and above use a different naming scheme for the presets, e.g. '''--alt-preset standard''' becomes '''--preset standard''' so if you remove '''alt-''' from the above presets, they will work with newer versions of Lame.''

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
*[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

{| align=center border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|+'''Lame 3.96.1 -V n, Presets, bitrates and lowpass of V values'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbps''' || '''Y Switch''' || '''-b''' || '''Lowpass''' || '''Resample'''
|-
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || 240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || 240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 || || 210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || ||210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 || --preset standard || 190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || 190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 || || 175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || 175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 || --preset medium || 165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || 165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 || || 130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || 130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 || || 115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || 115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 7 || || 100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || 100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 || || 85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || 85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 || || 65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || 65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|}

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --alt-preset <bitrate>
:: Example: --alt-preset 200

* '''128 kbit/s ABR'''
** -V5 --athaa-sensitivity 1 (when using >= LAME 3.96.1, for best results at 128kbps)
** --alt-preset 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: --abr 128 -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93
but this is only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT for Lame 3.97b1 and later !

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --alt-preset cbr <bitrate>
:: Example: --alt-preset cbr 96

* '''128 kbit/s CBR'''
** --alt-preset cbr 128

:: or: (only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT recommended for Lame > 3.97b1)(ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93

: note: --alt-preset cbr 320 is the exact same thing as --alt-preset insane

==Additional reading==

* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 List of recommended LAME settings] @ HydrogenAudio forum
* [http://lame.sourceforge.net LAME homepage]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=18091 -V n (in 3.95.1), Presets, bitrates and lowpass of V value] created by Vietwoojagig
* [[EAC_and_Lame | Configuring EAC and LAME]]

LAME

2005-09-29T08:54:35Z

User: /* CBR (constant bitrate) settings */

LAME (LAME Ain't an [[MP3]] Encoder) is the recommended encoder. It has been developed by the open-source community since 1998, and has become the highest quality encoder for most purposes.

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

'''Note: These settings require Lame 3.90 or later. Lame 3.90.3 found on this website is the recommended version''' ([[Lame Compiles|Check here to download]])

''Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale usually works to where VBR is higher quality than ABR which is higher quality than CBR (CBR < ABR < VBR in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible CBR bitrate which is 320kbps. In the case of the named VBR profiles "standard" and "extreme" they are usually "effectively" equal in quality to high bitrate cbr, in the range of around 256 kbps due to their ability to scale down the bitrate when necessary but increase the bitrate beyond 256 kbps on a frame by frame basis also, when that is necessary.''

=Encoder Presets=

'''Recommended Preset'''
* '''--alt-preset standard''' (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220. '''Best quality / size ratio''')

'''Other Presets'''
* '''--alt-preset fast standard''' (~190 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)

* '''--alt-preset extreme''' (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270. Quality can be a little better than standard)

* '''--alt-preset fast extreme''' (~250 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)

* '''--alt-preset insane''' (320 kbit/s CBR, highest possible quality, that can be a little higher than extreme)

'''Note:''' ''Lame version 3.95.1 and above use a different naming scheme for the presets, e.g. '''--alt-preset standard''' becomes '''--preset standard''' so if you remove '''alt-''' from the above presets, they will work with newer versions of Lame.''

==VBR (Variable bitrate) settings==
*[[VBR]] can be useful to get good quality from a specific quality level. Size is less predictable than with [[ABR]], but the quality is usually better.

-V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.

{| align=center border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|+'''Lame 3.96.1 -V n, Presets, bitrates and lowpass of V values'''
| '''Switch''' || '''Preset''' || '''Target Kbps''' || '''Y Switch''' || '''-b''' || '''Lowpass''' || '''Resample'''
|-
| -V 0 || --preset extreme || 240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 0 --vbr-new || --preset fast extreme || 240 || || 128 || 19383 Hz - 19916 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 || || 210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 1 --vbr-new || ||210 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 || --preset standard || 190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 2 --vbr-new || --preset fast standard || 190 || || 128 || 18671 Hz - 19205 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 || || 175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 3 --vbr-new || || 175 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 || --preset medium || 165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 4 --vbr-new || --preset fast medium || 165 || Y || || 17960 Hz - 18494 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 || || 130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 5 --vbr-new || || 130 || Y || || 16538 Hz - 17071 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 || || 115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 6 --vbr-new || || 115 || Y || || 15826 Hz - 16360 Hz ||
|-
| -V 7 || || 100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 7 --vbr-new || || 100 || Y || || 14581 Hz - 14968 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 || || 85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 8 --vbr-new || || 85 || Y || || 12516 Hz - 12903 Hz || 32000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 || || 65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|-
| -V 9 --vbr-new || || 65 || Y || || 9774 Hz - 10065 Hz || 24000 Hz
|}

==ABR (average bitrate) settings==
''(128 kbit/s ABR: roughly the same filesize as 128 kbit/s CBR)''

* '''[[ABR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --alt-preset <bitrate>
:: Example: --alt-preset 200

* '''128 kbit/s ABR'''
** -V5 --athaa-sensitivity 1 (when using >= LAME 3.96.1, for best results at 128kbps)
** --alt-preset 128

:: or (ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: --abr 128 -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93

==CBR (constant bitrate) settings==

*'''[[CBR]] Setting tuned from 320 kbit/s down to 80 kbit/s'''
** --alt-preset cbr <bitrate>
:: Example: --alt-preset cbr 96

* '''128 kbit/s CBR'''
** --alt-preset cbr 128

:: or: (only for older Lame versions like 3.90.3, NOT recommended for Lame > 3.97b1)(ff123's and Hans' suggestion: http://www.ff123.net/cbr128.html ):
:: -h --nspsytune --athtype 2 --lowpass 16 --ns-bass -8 --scale 0.93

: note: --alt-preset cbr 320 is the exact same thing as --alt-preset insane

==Additional reading==

* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124 List of recommended LAME settings] @ HydrogenAudio forum
* [http://lame.sourceforge.net LAME homepage]
* [http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=18091 -V n (in 3.95.1), Presets, bitrates and lowpass of V value] created by Vietwoojagig
* [[EAC_and_Lame | Configuring EAC and LAME]]