Ripping songs to Itunes: 128 vs. 192

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I've got a whole library (30+ Gigs) full of songs ripped at 128 kbps. Is there really that much of a sound quality difference by ripping in into Itunes at 192? My ipod is basically going to be my only music source when I go off to college, so I was just wondering.

― Lee is Free (Lee is Free), Sunday, 25 December 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

google is your friend

― cutty (mcutt), Sunday, 25 December 2005 16:43 (twenty years ago)

there is a difference but not enough to bother reripping 30gbs of stuff

― kyle (akmonday), Sunday, 25 December 2005 16:56 (twenty years ago)

no, rerip everything at 192 if it's all you're going to have. you'll be happy later.

other related threads:

Headphone-induced TINNITUS

do aac's sound better than mp3's?

Converting your music collection (well, all the damned CDs at least) to mp3: C/D, RFI

― sleeve, away, Sunday, 25 December 2005 20:59 (twenty years ago)

Although I'm generally skeptical about these things, sometimes I do notice a difference, particularly with headphones. In the future I'd definitely rip at 192, but if your iPod is your only source, then you probably want to maximize storage capability. And 30Gb will take hella long to re-rip.

― Mitya (mitya), Sunday, 25 December 2005 21:46 (twenty years ago)

128 sounds awful. Rip at 192, or better yet, VBR or AAC.

― deej.. (deej..), Sunday, 25 December 2005 21:49 (twenty years ago)

Unless yr a fan of distorted cymbals.

― deej.. (deej..), Sunday, 25 December 2005 21:49 (twenty years ago)

a good 128 rip (i don't know what codec itunes uses) shouldn't be too annoying to listen to, but 192 is always preferable.

― el sabor de gene (yournullfame), Sunday, 25 December 2005 21:49 (twenty years ago)

iTunes sells tracks in 128 aac. Do these sound bad?

― Bob Six (bobbysix), Sunday, 25 December 2005 22:00 (twenty years ago)

do aac's sound better than mp3's?

― sleeve (sleeve), Sunday, 25 December 2005 22:15 (twenty years ago)

If on a mac, use iTunes-LAME (google for it, it's good!) and use --alt-preset-standard. If on PC, use EAC or CDex then import into iTunes or whatever you're managing the thing with. If you go the AAC route, go for something above 128kbps. It might be good enough for online sales, but I'm more comfortable with 160 or 192.

― mike h. (mike h.), Monday, 26 December 2005 02:58 (twenty years ago)

I rip to 160 using iTunes, but I buy a few things off there too without noticing any problems.

― Bob Six (bobbysix), Monday, 26 December 2005 09:39 (twenty years ago)

192 when I can, 160 if necessary, never 128. (Which is why I don't buy anything from the iTunes store, sorry!)

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 27 December 2005 06:03 (twenty years ago)

deej, I agree that 128 messes with the high end, especially on cymbals. I'm glad someone else notices this!

I started with 192 AAC and ended up at 256 VBR MP3, since people were asking for things I had and they didn't want AACs.

Reripping 30 GB of stuff ... that is a pain. I'm surprised you'll be at college and won't have your own computer; if you did, I'd say leave it for now, rip new stuff you get at a higher rate, and when you get a chance rip a couple of old CDs at the new rate, doing a few at a time so you can concentrate on something more important like homework.

― Brakhage (brakhage), Tuesday, 27 December 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

There's something about 160 and 192 I've never liked - too 'dense' somehow? I only do either 128 or 256 now. I'd rather have a punchy hi-hat or whatever than one that's too muffled or just flatter mid-range (as I tend to find happens with 160 or 192).

(Which is why I don't buy anything from the iTunes store, sorry!)

even though it's mp4? i've been satisfied with iTunes store quality (and you can really tell the difference between them and older cd-rips at 128kbps) but not with the stupid protection.

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Tuesday, 27 December 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

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