Can anyone recommend a free MP3 conversion tool as I'd like to make the most of my hard drive in the car.

http://download.cnet.com/Free-WAV-to-MP3-Converter/3000-2140_4-10060500.html

 

Used that for years, when its installing read each page as it tries to install toolbars etc, works perfectly

There are hundreds, if not thousands of programs that do this, even WMP can do it (although not very well), I use an mp3Pro converter, as the resultant files then take up less space without losing detail.

Edited 22 July, 201510 yr by GentleGiant

There are hundreds, if not thousands of programs that do this, even WMP can do it (although not very well), I use an mp3Pro converter, as the resultant files then take up less space without losing detail.

That is what I tend to use because I am too lazy to find something else and let's face it storage is cheap these days.

I use CDex and EAC and MediaCoder. I normally set it up to encode mp3s at VBR 160-320k.

 

There are hundreds, if not thousands of programs that do this, even WMP can do it (although not very well), I use an mp3Pro converter, as the resultant files then take up less space without losing detail.

 

mp3 is a lossy compression algorithm, so there is always a loss of sound quality. However, most people would struggle to tell the difference between a good mp3 and lossless/original, especially on a car stereo!

I use CDex and EAC and MediaCoder. I normally set it up to encode mp3s at VBR 160-320k.

 

 

mp3 is a lossy compression algorithm, so there is always a loss of sound quality. However, most people would struggle to tell the difference between a good mp3 and lossless/original, especially on a car stereo!

 

TBH, for most music, unless you are parked up somewhere quiet, and have the engine switched off, you cannot really tell the difference between 64kbps, 92kbps and 160kbps; I usually recode to 92kbps as I use the same files on my PC, and only use a higher bit rate if I plan on feeding it through the HiFi downstairs, or for orchestral music (sound tracks etc).

TBH, for most music, unless you are parked up somewhere quiet, and have the engine switched off, you cannot really tell the difference between 64kbps, 92kbps and 160kbps; I usually recode to 92kbps as I use the same files on my PC, and only use a higher bit rate if I plan on feeding it through the HiFi downstairs, or for orchestral music (sound tracks etc).

 

Depends how good your car stereo and ears are

Storage is cheap these days so I just have one decent quality mp3 (and usually the FLAC) of every CD track I rip and the same file is played though my PC/Hi-Fi/car/mp3 player.

Depends how good your car stereo and ears are

Storage is cheap these days so I just have one decent quality mp3 (and usually the FLAC) of every CD track I rip and the same file is played though my PC/Hi-Fi/car/mp3 player.

 

My car unit is a cheap chinese job.

 

My PC set-up includes an Asus Sonar sound card, QED passive pre-amp and a Crimson Elelctric power amp.

TBH, for most music, unless you are parked up somewhere quiet, and have the engine switched off, you cannot really tell the difference between 64kbps, 92kbps and 160kbps; I usually recode to 92kbps as I use the same files on my PC, and only use a higher bit rate if I plan on feeding it through the HiFi downstairs, or for orchestral music (sound tracks etc).

 

 

 

Though I would say that my own preference is for VBR MP3s "up to 320Kbps". That is, if it has to be an MP3. I tend to rip to both MP3 and FLAC these days. And prefer the FLAC files to play in the lounge. Though whether my old ears can still detect much in the way of differences is another question.

Best all round sound editor/ converter I have found is AUDACITY. It will edit/convert just about any format. It's free, advert free & you can download it free from AUDACITY here:-

 

http://audacityteam.org/

 

I especially like the NORMALIZE feature which removes any DC offset & sets the peak level to a standard level (-1.0Db). This ensures all tracks play at the same volume level.