Help converting flac to 320kbps MP3’s
August 2nd, 2016
Here is what I’ve got the conversion process set at (and they’ve come out saying they’re 320kbps and 44.1kz, but is it true 320kbps as if it were ripped directly from the CD??):
Thanks for any and all help guys, much appreciated!
The difference between CD -> FLAC -> 320kbps mp3 and CD -> 320kbps mp3 should be negligible and imperceptible. Short answer, no, they will not be EXACTLY the same. Will the difference matter? No.
What is your sound system setup op?
FLACs are the files ripped from the CD, thus flacs are superior than mp3 in terms of audio quality However, unless you have an expensive audio setup, there will be no audible difference between flac and 320kbps mp3s.
To answer your question, I will say that an mp3 made from Flac should be the sames as the mp3 made from CD as both are lossless sources ..
And as you are using a top of the range converter, it should not be a problem..
Of course, if you Google enough, you are bound to find some pedophiles, I mean audiophiles ,who would disagree..
But then, to them, anything less than a direct cut vinyl is not the real thing
I have been converting FLAC to MP3 for a while..and like you, ive always chosen CBR 320…But you should actually be using VBR, not CBR, you should set it too VBR and its highest value at ‘extreme’ if you have real FLAC to downconvert from.. I think V0 sounds much better than a CBR…
Unless you have one of the best setups money can buy (and can prove it) stick with 320.
I’ve tested many formats on my Sony surround and 320 sounds the best. If anything, flac sounds a bit synthetic.
I have been converting FLAC to MP3 for a while..and like you, ive always chosen CBR 320...But you should actually be using VBR, not CBR, you should set it too VBR and its highest value at 'extreme' if you have real FLAC to downconvert from.. I think V0 sounds much better than a CBR...
Only use VBR – Variable Bit Rate if you are concerened about file size. It will use higher compression in places it thinks it will not be noticeable. Use CBR – Constant Bit Rate if you are more concerned about quality.
I think V0 sounds much better than a CBR...
Placebo effect. It sounds better because your mind wants/expects it to sound better.
Thanks everyone.. and to answer some questions, I don’t have any top of the line audio setup at all… I pretty much download an album and put it onto my Galaxy S4 SD card and use it as an MP3 player in my car or put some headphones into it if I’m walking around.
I ALWAYS try to download an album in 320, but if it’s not available, but a FLAC version is, I’ll download the FLAC version and convert it to MP3 using the program I stated above and then delete the FLAC version I used to convert the album to 320 MP3… my only concern was that if I download, say, The Beatles White Album off torrents (or here) in 320kbps and then download The White Album in FLAC and convert it to 320, am I getting the same quality as the 320 version I downloaded first? I don’t have enough space to store all of my albums in FLAC, so 320 was the next best thing… just wanted to be certain that when converting FLAC to 320 MP3 that I’m getting the same quality I would get had I been able to find whatever album in 320 in the first place, ya know?
I think I confused some people.. I wasn’t asking if FLAC was better quality than 320kbps MP3’s.. I just wanted to know if when I convert FLAC’s TO 320 MP3’s, am I getting the 320 quality I am used to if I had been able to find the album in 320 originally.
Thanks everyone and sorry if I confused anyone.
You’ll probably find you’ll get better quality converting flac to 320 than downloading a 320.
You have to keep in mind that the 320s you’ve downloaded were converted to mp3s by someone and then uploaded by them, or someone else.
Often you’ll find a download that says it’s 320kbps when in fact it’s actually a lower bit rate.
Converting them yourself will ensure that your 320 is in fact 320.
Yes, it was proved a while back, by spectrum analysis, that some of these so called 320KB rips were really only 128KB rips that had been reconverted!
And although VBR is good, some stand alone players won’t handle it..
@: yes i am concerned about file size if i am already not saving it in FLAC…and i guess my mind does choose think VBR is better because what @ just said, 50/50 chance if you download a so called “320 cdrip/webrip/true 320” is usually upscaled/filesized /: I also tend to stick to VBR because when I convert from .M4A file (itunes 320 rip to 256) ripping to CBR320 wont work.
Didnt know some standalone players couldnt handle VBR…I guess from now on I will just do my FLAC compression to CBR320.
but answer for OP would be yes downloading the FLAC and converting yourself says the headache of getting a nontrue 320 “LEAK” or upp..