AAC encoder/parameters?

[Alumni]

I could use some advice, as I have no experience with AAC encoders or their parameters.
Which encoder would you recommend, Nero or Quicktime? Should I go with VBR or ABR mode?
Since I have some hi-res audio files I also need an option to dither to 16 bit/44 khz.

[Zak]

I've just started converting a lot of my stuff to AAC so hopefully I can save you the hours I spent reading online threads and debates. 

1. Apple's AAC encoder is considered to be the best there is, so use that if you can (downside is that it will require iTunes, or at least part of it, to be installed). If you want to avoid iTunes, Nero is the best freely available encoder that doesn't require tracking down morally dubious encoders that use non-GPL code. At high enough bitrates the choice of encoder becomes less important anyway.

2. If you're not overly concerned about file sizes, there's no reason not to use VBR.

The best bitrate you should work out for yourself. With a good AAC encoder, I can't tell the difference as low as 128kbps, but I made a deliberate trade-off for smaller file sizes too. Anything above 192kbps should be transparent unless you have specific audiophile requirements. The iTunes store encodes their tracks at 256kbps if you want to match that.

Usual caveats apply: Your ears are different to my ears, your equipment is different to my equipment etc.

I don't work with hi-res files so I don't know if you need to do anything special for those.

[Logan]

The best none ITunes solution is an application called QAAC along with a component from the Apple QuickTime installer. A quick Google search will supply more info on how to set this up. You can use this combination to encode directly from MusicBee just as you would with LAME for example.

Nero is another option but the resulting sound quality is inferior to that from the Apple AAC encoder.

[Mr. Trev]

I use fdk myself. It came bundled with my install of dbpoweramp, but it plugs into MB quite nicely

-b 320000 -w 22050 -p 2 --ignorelength -S -o [outputfile] -
This will give me a 320kbps CBR file which sounds great to my ears.