Mp3 FAQ 1

I don't like the way the song sounds on the CD because I like more bass. Should I adjust the equalization (EQ) on the .wav file before making it into an MP3 ?

I've ripped the track to my hard drive. Anything I should do before I turn it into an MP3?

I've listened to all my uncompressed files and they sound great, now how do I make them into MP3s?

I've heard that not all encoders/codecs give equal quality results. Which encoder/codec is best?

I don't have a lot of time or patience for testing, which codec do you recommend?

What codec settings ?

Winamp tells me that .wav files are 176kbps. Why don't we just encode at THAT bitrate and get .wav quality MP3s?

Should mono material get encoded at the same bitrate as stereo material?

Who listens to mono any more? Shouldn't I just encode my mono songs in stereo?

What's the Difference between Stereo, Joint-Stereo and Dual-Channel?

I've made some MP3s with Joint-Stereo and I think they sound fine, but I'm not sure my $20 computer speakers are very accurate. Is there a better way to tell if my Joint-Stereo MP3s are flanging?

My MP3s sound good except there is a little POP at the very beginning of the song. What can I do about that?

What is VBR ?

Should I be using VBR ?

Can I just sample the audio via my sound card instead of digitally ripping the CD?

I don't have a CD-ROM in my computer, but I do have a CD player in my stereo; can I just hook that up to my sound card and sample it that way?

I have some tapes that I want to post as MP3s. How can I do that?

I made an MP3 from a tape and it sounds TERRIBLE! No, I mean a lot worse than the .wav file did. Why?

I'm making some MP3s from a vinyl source. Is there any easy way to make my files sound better?

Can I edit my MP3s directly without having to decode them into .wav files first?

I've made my MP3s and it's time to name them. Is there a naming standard? What information should I include in the name?

I don't like the way other people name their MP3s, and now I have a whole directory filled with MP3s that I want to rename. Is there an easy way to do this?

What are MP3 ID3 tags? Should I bother with them?

I downloaded some MP3s from the web and they're all screwy. Why ?

I downloaded some cool songs from this web site that I found; should I upload them?

I used to use this cool thing called Agent-MP3. I cant find the place where I got it. Where is it?

What about Napster?

How do I get hold of some MP3 songs ?

How do I download MP3 files from newsgroups, joining all the parts and decoding them?

What is the best MP3 search engine?

What's a good MP3 search engine?

How do I get MP3 files from FTP sites?

What does a message like "New FTP site: 24.30.138.13 USER mp3 password mp3 port: 21 Ratio is 1/3" mean?

Can I access FTP sites using my browser?

I download MP3 files from the web, but they just disappear after a while - why?

I'm clicking a web link for an MP3 song and getting an ".htm" file instead - what's the problem?

When I click on an MP3 link in IE I get a message about "extended information" and no file downloads - why?

How does Napster link to MP3 files?

Is Napster safe to use?

I can't access the MP3 binary newsgroups - how do I get access?

Can I download MP3 files from newsgroups with Netscape?

Can I get MP3 files from multi-part usenet posts with Netscape?

How do I get an MP3 file from the all the separate parts in a newsgroup using Outlook Express?

When I play MP3 files, can I mix one song into another ?

Can I play the output from my computer MP3 player through my home stereo?

I downloaded MP3 files and they skip / play fast / make weird noises - what can I do?

Is it possible to get hi-fi output playing MP3 files from a computer through a stereo system?

Is it possible to play MP3 files from CD ROM data disks?

Will uncook95.exe fix the problems with my MP3 files?

How do I create a Winamp playlist containing a whole bunch of MP3 files I have on disk?

How do I put files on the Winamp playlist?

Why don't my Winamp playlists play in order?

How do I stop Winamp from skipping when playing MP3 files?

Winamp skips and stutters when playing MP3 - what can I do?

When I play MP3 through Winamp it plays too softly.what can I do ?

When I play MP3 in Winamp it won't play loud at all - why?

Why does Winamp keep trying to go online and access "CDDB" when I play a CD? How do I stop it ?

How do I use Winamp skins that I've downloaded ?

How do I use new Winamp skins I've downloaded ?

Will Winamp play MP3 on a 486 ?

What do "sampling rate" and "bitrate" mean when describing MP3 files ?

Is there an MP3 database to help me keep track of all my MP3 files ?

What information is contained in ID3 tags, and how can I manipulate it ?

What bitrate for MP3 files will give "CD quality" ?

What is VBR ?

What kbps and kHz rate should I record at for CD quality ?

Is there a "standard level" for digital recording ?

What do "ripping" and "encoding" mean ?

Do all CD ROM drives support "ripping" of audio tracks ?

My ripper program won't recognise my CD drive - what can I do?

Is it possible / ok to rip from CDs directly to MP3, or should I rip to WAV files?

When I rip tracks from CD I get static-like noises and skips - what can I do?

When I play an audio CD in my CD ROM drive and record a WAV file it sounds fine, but when I "rip" tracks from the CD they skip and have noises... what gives?

How is the volume controlled when "ripping" from a CD?

What's a good, free program to rip tracks from CD?

How do different ripping programs compare?

There's a file called CDFS.VXD which allows me to see my audio CD tracks as WAV files, so can't I use this instead of a ripper program?

Is it possible to rip tracks from a CD using Winamp?

Where can I get a good, legal, free MP3 encoder?

What is the best free MP3 encoder?

What is the best software to make MP3 files without losing quality?

Is there a free MP3 encoder that works under Windows NT?

Is there an encoder to encode multiple wav files in a batch?

Where can I get a version of the Fraunhofer codec?

How do I get BladeEnc to encode at a bitrate other than 128 kbps?

How do you record MP3 from Cassette Tapes?

How do I record from vinyl disks?

Is there software to remove noises (scratches etc.) from recording made from vinyl disks?

Mp3 FAQ - 1