I need to reduce the bitrate on some MP3's can anyone point me in the direction of some freeware that can do this or do I have to buy some software?

Well, I use audiocatalyst, but the freeware version only allows 128 bitrate.... You have to try something else also called audio catalyst to be able to select the actual bitrate you rip at.

Not sure it will take MP3s and reduce them - You might need the original source for them, or re-expand them to WAV again, then shrink to desired bitrate. Much below 96kbps sacrifices some quality.

There's software out there to convert the bitrate but they all need paying for. Reason I need to change quality is my new mobile phone has a built in MP3 player but max bitrate it allows is 192 and most of my MP3's are more than that. I'll have a look for the program you suggested.

What about this one

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm

Mp3's encoded below 192kbps are rubbish. Sure you can listen at 128kbps but it's no where near comparable to CD Quality unless you are listening on a £75 hifi. 192 kbps is getting close to CD quality on most systems but 320kbps is what I go for. That's as good as CD quality on all but the very best audio setups and as good as mp3s get.

I use the one mannyo suggested turn the bitrate down to 92 iirc it is good enough for the mobile phone speakers & headphones.

I use db Power amp for converting the MP3's I have at 320KBPS on my DMP3 in the car onto My daughters mp3 portable player, if you can use WMA's and you have limited space to put the files on your phone, then this is the way to go as it will give better compression with smaller file sizes but far better quality at vastly reduced bitrates over mp3's ( you can also do similar with MP3PRO) also go mfor variable bitrate rather than fixed. To give you an idea of how effective this is I put 252 WMA files at 96KBPS and it sounds like a MP3 at 192KBPS, the literature with the MP3 Player estimated around 160 MP3 Files at 128KBPS could be put on it

DB power amp is freware for the first 30 days then you have to license the software but it is only $14 so about

I use db Power amp for converting the MP3's I have at 320KBPS on my DMP3 in the car onto My daughters mp3 portable player, if you can use WMA's and you have limited space to put the files on your phone, then this is the way to go as it will give better compression with smaller file sizes but far better quality at vastly reduced bitrates over mp3's ( you can also do similar with MP3PRO) also go mfor variable bitrate rather than fixed. To give you an idea of how effective this is I put 252 WMA files at 96KBPS and it sounds like a MP3 at 192KBPS, the literature with the MP3 Player estimated around 160 MP3 Files at 128KBPS could be put on it

DB power amp is freware for the first 30 days then you have to license the software but it is only $14 so about

Totally agree, My Dension DMP3 is a brilliant unit and plays MP3's only, for get WMA's but with a 120GB drive installed......320KBPS all the way who cares how big the files are!! if I run out of space I will just install a 300GB drive and partition it:thumbup:

Another dbPowerAmp user here - I always rip mine at least at 192kbps, as they are normally either played in the car or a portable player - although you can't always choose your MP3's bitrate can you ;)

Thanks for all the replies.

Most of my MP3's are 320kbps for use on the phatnoise's in the cars but for the phone I need to go down to 192 for compatibilty reasons rather than file size. I'm getting a 512mb (biggest available on transflash AFAIK) card for the phone so that should allow a reasonable amount of music for the limited use it'll be getting.

Another dbPowerAmp user here - I always rip mine at least at 192kbps, as they are normally either played in the car or a portable player - although you can't always choose your MP3's bitrate can you ;)

You can if you buy all of your music from allofmp3.com. But that's a whole other topic of discussion.

What about this one

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm

Just downloaded the trial, exactly what I was after and nice and cheap. Thanks!