BLADE FREEWARE ENCODER 0.72 & HELPER WINDOWS INTERFACE This is currently my favorite encoder. Though best results are at 160kbps or higher, this encoder, used with the enclosed blade helper front end, as this is actually a DOS program, does a excellent job at encoding. True stereo encoding is also available from blade, unlike the programs that have the fraunhofer codec, which often use the "joint stereo" method. I strongly recommend this encoder, especially if you are sourcing from analog sources...like Cassette or Vinyl, as the "phasing" effect with joint stereo seems to be more apparent with analog sources than digital. In addition, the "helper" gives you more option when in encoding anyway...where stream rate is concerned.....I recommend this encoder at 96kbps with mono sources, and mono output checked on the helper...really sounds good. this zip file is about 600k, and you will have to manually install the program...IE create a folder for it, and place it in, then link your startup menu to it, but small price to pay for freeware that works great. FYI, this isn't the newer version, as i've found newer versions won't convert stereo wavs to mono mp3's....which can be a pain in my use...this version CAN.
Audioactive Production Studio This is so far, the best encoder I've come across for low stream rates and joint stereo encoding, and the cheapest..short of being FREEWARE that is!!!!. While a lot of the decent ones are in the hundreds of dollars, their production studio "lite" version which uses the professional fraunhofer codec is $59 US..which is quite cheap, and works quite well.
MUSICMATCH JUKEBOX
While I'm
far from a fan, I can't ignore the wide spread interest in the all in one, CD/Analog
Source Ripper and Mp3 Encoder/Player MUSICMATCH JUKEBOX. Mp3.com seems to be pushing
it in your face of late, like there's nothing else out there, but that's just
my opinion. click the icon for a link to download from their homepage.
REAL
NETWORKS/XING AUDIO CATALYST FOR MACSWell,
wouldn't want those with MACS to not make their own mp3's. As MPECKER has now
been left in the dark for support and upgrades, This program, popular with Windows
PC users, now has expanded to MACS and other Operating Systems. The Fraunhofer
Codec Has been Incorporated within the newest versions of Audio Catalyst, which
some consider to be the best codec for low stream rates (128kbps and Under)
overall this is a good program. Please e-mail me if there are other mp3 encoders
for MACS and other operating systems. For OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS, for Audio
Catalyst, go HERE
Coding
Technologies-Mp3Pro Zone
June 2001, RCA and it's parent company Thompson, along with coding technologies,
announce MP3PRO, high quality mp3 audio files at pretty much the same quality
as regular mp3 files, only the file size is half of regular mp3's. Sounds like
BS???, well in my initial test, I would have to say NO. comparing the quality
of mp3's at the 44/64kbps stream rate, vs mp3 PRo at the same stream rate, Mp3
PRO wins hands down, with very few artifacts, and a fairly crisp and clean high
end. but don't take my word for it, use the link here to download the RCA player/encoder
and see for yourself, the only trick is that they HAVE to be played in the RCA
player, as while they say the files are backward compatible, that's a half truth.
sure they'll play in any mp3 player, but only at 1/2 the quality. the full fidelity
is heard in the RCA player. personally, I think this is mostly likely to be THE
format of the next compressed audio generation, but only time will tell.
REAL
AUDIO ENCODER 5.0
If you are looking for a Real Audio
Encoder...here it is! I have looked for one off the real audio site, but it seems
they are desperate to flog their new G2 player in your face, that a free encoder
is sort of put on the back burner...oh well...here's a freeware encoder that works
rather well, that I got off the real site a few months back. it converts from
wavs to real audio...FOR WIN 95 ONLY...sorry!!!!! I'll be looking for other formats
soon. If you are having trouble as this server is a pain sometimes, go to the
REAL AUDIO WEB PAGE
from here as you may have better luck!!!
Also, here's a great page to explain how to stream real audio on any web site...written
by John Lovell...it's amazing how simple it actually is....so
GO TO THE PAGE NOW to find out how to stream real audio on your site today.
OGG VORBIS ENCODER
Ogg Vorbis is a completely open, patent-free,
professional audio encoding and streaming technology with all the benefits of
Open Source." to quote the web site, which is quite different from the fraunhofer
originating mp3 format, which you would think was open source given the availability
of utilities to convert wavs to mp3. Will Ogg catch on??? likely not, as it's
not much of a advantage in quality over mp3 and file size (download the freeware
encoder software and playback plug in for winamp and try it for yourself!!) and
mp3 is still the king in compatibility, so this will likely fade into obsecurity,
but hell, don't let me influence you, give it a try yourself.
WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER/MS AUDIO ENCODER
MS Audio is comparable to mp3 in quality to a large degree...but MS says
it's half the file size as mp3's....and I cannot really say as of yet as to
the quality comparison, but if you wanna try it out for yourself, here's a link
direct to the download page.
FLAC
A newer codec, FLAC is the free lossless audio codec, which is another open source codec. Admittingly, on the highest quality, it doesn't really reduce the file all that much, and the quality is comparable to a high quality mp3, which can sounds as good, with smaller audio files. I'm starting to experiment with it, so the absolute verdict is out, but work playing around with, more so since the software is FREE!
