Discussion
As I understand it AAC format is more efficient at compression and the net result is better quality and smaller file size. All my music on iTunes is in AAC format to maximise what I can fit on my iPod, however, over the Easter weekend I wanted to share with someone a track I'd produced a while ago, so I made an MP3 of the track as I wasn't sure if they had equipment that could play AACs.
It's worth pointing out at this point that all my own music is initially 'bounced' in AIFF format, so whatever the file ends up being, it's always converted in iTunes from an AIFF.
I've since inadvertently loaded the MP3 onto my iPod and was listening to it this morning. Conversely to what's claimed about the relative quality of AAC and MP3 formats I actually enjoyed listening to the MP3 more. The overall mix sounded more cohesive, there was greater transparency between sounds and the bass was deeper in a subtle, non-dominating way. Maybe it's just that the AAC is actually better and is doing a superior job of exposing the shortcomings of my music production skills while the MP3 flatters to deceive. I guess I'll have to rip something professional to AIFF from a bought CD and then make AACs and MP3s to compare.
Any thoughts?
It's worth pointing out at this point that all my own music is initially 'bounced' in AIFF format, so whatever the file ends up being, it's always converted in iTunes from an AIFF.
I've since inadvertently loaded the MP3 onto my iPod and was listening to it this morning. Conversely to what's claimed about the relative quality of AAC and MP3 formats I actually enjoyed listening to the MP3 more. The overall mix sounded more cohesive, there was greater transparency between sounds and the bass was deeper in a subtle, non-dominating way. Maybe it's just that the AAC is actually better and is doing a superior job of exposing the shortcomings of my music production skills while the MP3 flatters to deceive. I guess I'll have to rip something professional to AIFF from a bought CD and then make AACs and MP3s to compare.
Any thoughts?
Yes you would.
MP3s (horrid nasty things), can be created in many different amounts of 'squash' - from 'transparent CD quality', to 'squashed to f
king hell for the web'.
Other stuff:
Slightly O/T - last few times I've worked with Steve Price (read GOD in such matters), I've been asked not to provide AIFF files, but uncompressed wav files, as they contain more information.
I was talking about this last week, and all agreed, quality of repro got better and better until 1986, and it's been downhill ever since.
I use a HiFiMan (walkman) to listen to uncompressed wavs and AIFFs, so I can forgo the pain of MP3s (though I have to make MP3s for my website).
Out of interest, when I compress for web, I squash MP3s to the absolute minimum. D/Load slower, but what the hell.
i.e. http://stevecarter.com/random/IntoWinter.mov (you might not like me' music, but you should *hopefully* hear the quality)
MP3s (horrid nasty things), can be created in many different amounts of 'squash' - from 'transparent CD quality', to 'squashed to f
king hell for the web'.Other stuff:
Slightly O/T - last few times I've worked with Steve Price (read GOD in such matters), I've been asked not to provide AIFF files, but uncompressed wav files, as they contain more information.
I was talking about this last week, and all agreed, quality of repro got better and better until 1986, and it's been downhill ever since.
I use a HiFiMan (walkman) to listen to uncompressed wavs and AIFFs, so I can forgo the pain of MP3s (though I have to make MP3s for my website).
Out of interest, when I compress for web, I squash MP3s to the absolute minimum. D/Load slower, but what the hell.
i.e. http://stevecarter.com/random/IntoWinter.mov (you might not like me' music, but you should *hopefully* hear the quality)
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 25th April 15:04
Lovely piece of work there - very enjoyable.
Interesting comments about WAV files - I'll use those as my masters in future. Still somewhat in the dark as to why MP3s sound nicer than AACs on my iPod - even though they are supposed to be inferior. The MP3 just sounds more warm and 'analogue' somehow.
Interesting comments about WAV files - I'll use those as my masters in future. Still somewhat in the dark as to why MP3s sound nicer than AACs on my iPod - even though they are supposed to be inferior. The MP3 just sounds more warm and 'analogue' somehow.
Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff