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Support => Questions => Topic started by: GroovyJohn on April 24, 2022, 02:51:33 PM

Title: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: GroovyJohn on April 24, 2022, 02:51:33 PM
Need some newbie advice as been using the outdated Microsoft Media Player for a long time, all my CD are ripped to MP3 format at either 196/256 bit rates as found this and ideal compromise. So just trying to rip my latest CDs via MBee as a test and their seems no option for this. Just (via lamf codec) VBR which is terrible and the higher 352 which takes too much space up. Am i missing something ?  Also while on, how do i get all my Cover thumbnails in a full alphabetical visual grid which i can scan down and down (have 1000s), like Media player. Been at both for hours with no luck, any advice welcome
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: hiccup on April 24, 2022, 05:21:25 PM
welcome to the forum

You posted this in MusicBee's 'Tips and Tricks' board, which—as it clearly states—is for: User-to-user advice and tips - no questions please!
So it will probably get moved by a mod anytime soon.

Quote from: GroovyJohn on April 24, 2022, 02:51:33 PM
Just (via lamf codec) VBR which is terrible and the higher 352 which takes too much space up. Am i missing something ?
I honestly have no idea what makes you think such restrictions exist.
MusicBee's CD-ripping tool has configuration options where you can define exactly how mp3 encoding should be done.

Quote
Also while on, how do i get all my Cover thumbnails in a full alphabetical visual grid which i can scan down and down (have 1000s), like Media player
In helping to keep topics, questions and answers a bit coherent on this forum, it would probably be good if you created a dedicated 'questions' topic for this.
 
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: Zak on April 25, 2022, 07:51:39 AM
The Rip CD command uses the same profiles as the format converter.
These are set via Edit > Preferences > File Converters.

There you can specify the parameters for the Small/Standard/High/Maximum quality settings.
You could use -cbr -b 196 for Standard and -cbr -b 256 for High to match your previous options.

You select which encoder profile to use via the Settings... button at the top of the Rip CD dialog.
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: GroovyJohn on April 26, 2022, 08:05:51 PM
Thanks for info but found all that, and seems to be no other CBR options in settings other than  --cbr -b 320 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]
The  Lame is 3.100.2.0   which is in the box, do i need to do anything else
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: sveakul on April 26, 2022, 09:26:13 PM
Quote from: GroovyJohn on April 26, 2022, 08:05:51 PM
Thanks for info but found all that, and seems to be no other CBR options in settings other than  --cbr -b 320 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]
The  Lame is 3.100.2.0   which is in the box, do i need to do anything else
You can manually change those options to any valid Lame parameter you want.  See a few examples/recommendations here: https://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/LAME (https://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php/LAME)
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: GroovyJohn on April 26, 2022, 09:42:45 PM
Thanks but that reference is far to complected for my elderly brain. I just need to rip to MP3 at 256 if you can suggest the line to put in the box,  cheers
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: GroovyJohn on April 26, 2022, 09:52:15 PM
Have just uninstalled as i got it via Windows site, so downloaded via MB site and codec has Lame on the MP3 section (which i downloaded separately)
All the other codec options are present ie Wave has multiple options, but MP3 is back to same with 3 VBR options and 1 at 320   --cbr -b 320 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]  If I alter this line to 256 as when i do i apply,  then save, then it just defaults to 320 again, most frustrating
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: sveakul on April 26, 2022, 11:43:35 PM
Quote from: GroovyJohn on April 26, 2022, 09:42:45 PM
Thanks but that reference is far to complected for my elderly brain. I just need to rip to MP3 at 256 if you can suggest the line to put in the box,  cheers
I suggest using the following as the line in the the encoding parameters box:

Code
--vbr-new -V 0 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]
This provides a variable bitrate that averages in the vicinity of the one you specified and with a quality that myself and many others feel constitutes "transparency," i.e. is audibly indistinguishable from the source of the encode.  Technically the "--vbr -new" part is not needed as it is the default with this version of LAME but I left it there as it appears in the MusicBee-supplied line already and hurts nothing to leave it in.

Be sure to hit the "Reset" button after making the manual change, to the right of the "MP3 Enabled" box, before hitting apply/save.  That's why your changes were not sticking.
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: Zak on April 27, 2022, 03:04:01 AM
Quote from: GroovyJohn on April 26, 2022, 09:52:15 PM
MP3 is back to same with 3 VBR options and 1 at 320   --cbr -b 320 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]  If I alter this line to 256 as when i do i apply,  then save, then it just defaults to 320 again, most frustrating
Those are the defaults for the LAME encoder. There is no good reason why MusicBee shouldn't accept any changes you make to these parameters - and yes, the number in the CBR option is the bitrate for the encoder to use.
Are you saying the parameter defaults back to 320, or do you mean that after changing it your encodes are still coming out at 320?
If the latter, see my earlier reply about how to specify which encoding profile to use when ripping CDs.
Also if the latter, if you still can't get it, I'll include screenshots to make it clear, but don't have time right now.

(see also: https://musicbee.fandom.com/wiki/Ripping which might help)

Quote from: sveakul on April 26, 2022, 11:43:35 PM
I suggest using the following as the line in the the encoding parameters box:

Code
--vbr-new -V 0 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]
This provides a variable bitrate that averages in the vicinity of the one you specified and with a quality that myself and many others feel constitutes "transparency," i.e. is audibly indistinguishable from the source of the encode.  Technically the "--vbr -new" part is not needed as it is the default with this version of LAME but I left it there as it appears in the MusicBee-supplied line already and hurts nothing to leave it in.
OP is asking for clear instructions to encode CBR at 196 or 256 and is having difficulties.
I'm not sure this is the right market to be selling the virtues of VBR.  :-X

Quote from: sveakul on April 26, 2022, 11:43:35 PM
Be sure to hit the "Reset" button after making the manual change, to the right of the "MP3 Enabled" box, before hitting apply/save.  That's why your changes were not sticking.
Er... what?
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: vincent kars on April 27, 2022, 12:13:55 PM
Quote
I'm not sure this is the right market to be selling the virtues of VBR
Not to mention the virtues of ripping to lossless  :)
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: GroovyJohn on April 27, 2022, 02:34:43 PM
Thanks for all your input, and will have another go later today by typing in 
 --cbr -b 196 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]   
 --cbr -b 256 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]
--cbr -b 320 --noreplaygain - [outputfile]

but do i then hit reset, apply, save, as per  sveakul s   instructions ? or something else
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: Zak on April 27, 2022, 03:50:05 PM
Reset, as it implies, will reset the parameters back to their default values.
I think there may have been a not missing from that reply.

You can use Apply or Save. Only difference is that Save will also close the Preferences dialog.
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: hiccup on April 27, 2022, 05:06:07 PM
Not sure if it is related to the struggles the OP is having, but it looks like he firstly used the Store version of MusicBee, then changed to an installer version, and also manually downloaded Lame from somewhere. Which should not be needed for recent MB versions since it has Lame included these days.

My advice would be to start with a clean slate, preferably using a portable version of MusicBee, installing it in a dedicated MusicBee folder outside of Windows controlled folders. E.g. on a D: partition/drive if that's available.
Title: Re: Ripping CDs to MP3 at 256/192 bit rates - Older Newbie
Post by: GroovyJohn on April 27, 2022, 08:58:24 PM
Have now sorted it and ripping new CDs, its quite a learning curve for an old newbie, as so many excellent variables. Trying to sort visual side now so its like media player as like it simple.
Perhaps be good to have a Basic setup quide for Windows Media Player to MB converts, Tagged to top, or perhaps you already have this somewhere.
Many many thanks for all your help  :-*   GroovyJohn in Nottingham UK. I am sure I will be back, and make sure I am in the right section.