*please feel free to hum the theme of 'Kung Fu' while reading this post*

I, young grasshopper, wish to learn the masterful art of mp3 encoding. My kung fu is not as good as others. I have followed the 'search button' path but as of yet, I was unable to find a true master. I have been practicing 'MusicMatch Jukebox' style at a rate of 192kbps. Yet, I hear others using such kung fu as 'Lame' style with 'VBR'. My mp3 kung fu no good compaired to others. Others sound like wind rustling through rice paddy. Mine sound like old woman tripping over log. I shall remain in a lotus position awaiting my lesson.

have you tried easy cd ripper?

BTW are you a Sifl n Olly fan?

OUCH!!!!!

Ouch ouch ouch.

Since you are on the journey you next steps should be along the path http://www.r3mix.net

Walk carefully grasshopper.

r3mix is out of date...

MusicMatch with 192kps will give you good results. But if you want to step up, I recommend using AudioGrabber or Exact Audio Copy (if you have Win2K). Both are really good - EAC is free but a little harder to learn. I like EAC because it is great with scratched disks too.

Either way, use LAME encoding. The latest version of LAME is optimized to use the "-alt present standard" setting. Do a search on LAME or Audiograbber.

PS - Sensai is the master, not the student.

Ahhh....grasshopper get confused in following path to MP3 enlightenment.......and yes, Sifl & Olly are wise teachers, I advise the DVD of lost episodes......very good...

http://www.sifl-n-olly.com/merch/index.html

Agreed. Settings are out of date, but there is much learning to be gained from this site. Also agree with the use of EAC, a powerful tool.

The latest version of LAME is optimized to use the "-alt present standard" setting

Actually the correct parameter is --alt-preset standard
Typos suck don't they?

After reading though that site, I decided to do a couple of tests. Using a fIREHOSE (Everyone loves fIREHOSE) mp3 encoded both in MusicMatch Jukebox and EAC, I did the Analysis in Cool Edit 2000. Damn, MM cuts of at 16kHz and the EAC created mp3 cuts off at 19kHz.

Looks like I got my work cut out for me......

My next question is I notice that most downloaded MP3s sound very 'hot'. My guess is I have never used 'Normalization' (yeah, so, I cant spell) , Is this something I should be using?

You do have an option in MM to extend beyond 16KHz.
See attached picture.