Best Audio Encoder Settings
What are the best encoder settings for MP3 and MP4 (AAC) ?
Frequency response test using uncompressed pink noise as a reference
PCM 48 kHz, 16 bit, Mono, Source file (WAV, 1225 kB)
MP4 Encoding
Encode with Logic Pro X to AAC
AAC, Mono, File size: 438 kB
Audio Format : mp4a
Audio Bits Per Sample : 16
Audio Sample Rate : 48000
Avg Bitrate : 236 kbps
Encode with FDK AAC in ffmpeg
wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Fraunhofer_FDK_AAC
M4A (AAC Audio)
ffmpeg -i PinkNoise_PCM.wav -c:a libfdk_aac -q:a 160k PinkNoise_FDK.m4a
Comments: The FDK AAC encoder is better than the normal "-c:a libfaac -b:a 160k".
Frequency response chart
AAC, Mono, File Size: 327 kB
Audio Format : mp4a
Audio Bits Per Sample : 16
Audio Sample Rate : 48000
Avg Bitrate : 202 kbps
MP3 Encoding - Lame
Use variable bitrate (VBR) or not ?
Different settings with Lame
Try "--preset insane" to get the best quality. The "extreme" preset uses VBR, "-V0" (VBR ), produces the same result
| Switch | Preset | Target Kbps | Typical Kbps[3] | Y Switch | Lowpass[4] | Resample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-b 320 |
--preset insane |
320 | 320 | Y[5] | ||
-V 0 |
--preset extreme |
~240 | 220–260 | |||
-V 1 |
~220 | 190–250 | 19383 Hz – 19916 Hz | |||
-V 2 |
--preset standard |
~190 | 170–210 | 18671 Hz – 19205 Hz | ||
-V 3 |
~170 | 150–195 | Y | 17960 Hz – 18494 Hz | ||
-V 4 |
--preset medium |
~160 | 140–185 | Y | 17249 Hz – 17782 Hz | |
-V 5 |
~130 | 120–150 | Y | 16538 Hz – 17071 Hz | ||
-V 6 |
~120 | 100–130 | Y | 15115 Hz – 15648 Hz | ||
-V 7 |
~100 | 80–120 | Y | 14581 Hz – 14968 Hz | 32000 Hz | |
-V 8 |
~80 | 70–105 | Y | 12516 Hz – 12903 Hz | 32000 Hz | |
-V 9 |
~70 | 45–85 | Y | 9336 Hz – 9602 Hz | 24000 Hz |
The following command-line options will all produce the same output:
-
--alt-preset insane -
--preset insane -
-b 320 -
--preset 320 -
--preset cbr 320
Taken from: wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=Lame
Frequency Response Tests
Test of different presets
Lame Insane Test
lame --preset insane PinkNoise_PCM.wav
Notice the low pass filter at 20.5 kHz
File size: 513 kB
Encoder : LAME3.99
Lame VBR Quality : 4
Lame Quality : 3
Lame Method : CBR
Lame Low Pass Filter : 20.5 kHz
Lame Bitrate : 255 kbps
Audio Bitrate : 320 kbps
Lame Extreme Test
lame --preset extreme PinkNoise_PCM.wav
File size: 205 kB
Encoder : LAME3.99
Lame VBR Quality : 0
Lame Quality : 0
Lame Method : VBR (new/mtrh)
Lame Low Pass Filter : 24 kHz
Lame Bitrate : 32 kbps
Lame Stereo Mode : Mono
Audio Bitrate : 128 kbps
Lame VBR Test
lame --V6 PinkNoise_PCM.wav
Notice the low pass filter at 16.5 kHz
File size: 94 kB
Encoder : LAME3.99
Lame VBR Quality : 6
Lame Quality : 0
Lame Method : VBR (new/mtrh)
Lame Low Pass Filter : 16.5 kHz
Lame Bitrate : 32 kbps
Lame Stereo Mode : Mono
Audio Bitrate : 58.5 kbps
|•| – 2015-02-04