Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions mp3 to wav converter question

Fairly new to music file manipulation. Will programs that convert mp3's to wav's restore files to original quality (redbook) or do they just change files to wav format for burning purposes without improving quality? Thx!

The second. Once the data is gone, it's gone.

Ok thx! I suspected as much... am I correct in assuming that flac files and other lossless formats will restore files back to original quality once converted (to wav)?

Well, lossless formats theoretically don't lose/give up any of the quality, so what you hear is what you get in FLAC, CD, or WAV. Theoretically.

Original quality, yes... it's mathematical compression, like ZIPping up an application... it's got to be the same coming out as going in.

Will they be bit perfect? Maybe not. More to do with the ripping process than the compression.

Bren R.

Along these lines, what is the best way/program to use to rip songs off of CDs and reburn them for a mix disc? It seems for music quality the WMA lossless would work but then you compromise by having fewer songs on the final disc. Is there some panacea program that allows me to jam pack a disc with songs at full, or close to full quality, or am I just gonna have to rip them at a lower bit rate? And what would a good rate be?

You mean compressed onto the CD?

You'll get as many answers as there are people who mix CDs.

Personally I use 256kbps CBR MP3s (at 256 I use straight stereo, less than that - joint stereo) - gets me 6-10 albums onto one... I use them for the car... less disc changing and I'm not worried about my music collection getting stolen or melting.

Bren R.

Refer to this thread for more information.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=tech&Number=128514&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=

The same sort of issue was discussed, except the other way around.

Lossless formats work like a zip archive, just zipping up a file without sacrificing quality. Lossy formats such as mp3, mwv, or mp4 actually take away data when compressing. The data that goes first is high end, so that is why mp3's sound less "lively" than original CD formats, because much of the higher frequencies simply get chopped off or compressed.

There is huge debate everywhere. Google has a treasure trove of information regarding the subject. I personally have my whole music collection in lossless format, .ape (Monkey's Audio) a cousin to FLAC.

Good luck!

In reply to:

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Refer to this thread for more information.

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Assuming that wasn't actually TO ME, but the original poster... since I was a major contributor to that discussion.

Bren R.

LINK