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More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: LonWar on December 23, 2005, 09:06:24 am

Title: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: LonWar on December 23, 2005, 09:06:24 am

Good Morning All!!


Is there any type of plugin or DX DSP effect that would improve the sound of 32kbps mp3's?

At work, I have very limited space and also listen at low levels,


Thanks in advance

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: David_1cog on December 23, 2005, 09:57:04 am

Not quite what you're after, but ... I just installed a new Sound Blaster (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14066) which has something called 'X-Fi 24-bit Crystalizer'.  The theory is that it calculates which bits have been lost and puts them back.

I'm fairly impressed with it - music is brighter / punchier / more detailed.  The amount of 'Crystalizing' can be varied or disabled.

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: LonWar on December 23, 2005, 11:06:39 am

Quote from: David_1cog on December 23, 2005, 09:57:04 am

Not quite what you're after, but ... I just installed a new Sound Blaster (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14066) which has something called 'X-Fi 24-bit Crystalizer'.  The theory is that it calculates which bits have been lost and puts them back.

I'm fairly impressed with it - music is brighter / punchier / more detailed.  The amount of 'Crystalizing' can be varied or disabled.

Thanks, But I am looking for a software workaround.... I know there are a lot of DX plugins that work with MC, it's just a matter of finding one.

My work, has just upgraded me from a 733 to a 2.8, I don't think they will go for the soundcard.....

THanks,

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: hit_ny on December 23, 2005, 11:42:31 am

WHat about the DFX one ? tho thats more for 128Kbs .

32k...heh...do yourself a favour and get a portable...your ears will thank you. Or an external HD and hook up to your work machine.

32k is ok for voice broadcast only.

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: LonWar on December 23, 2005, 12:57:29 pm

Ya, I could get a Ext HDD, but if I forget to lock it up, I'd be scared of it walking away....

This doesn't sound that bad.... I can only have it at low listening...

THanks,

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: KingSparta on December 23, 2005, 01:00:12 pm

Quote

How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better

Re-encode it from the original source, using a higher bit rate?

did i win anything?

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: GHammer on December 24, 2005, 12:12:48 am

Look for a DirectX plugin called High Frequency Stimulator
If that makes the sound more pleasing you're in luck.
If not, then you'll have to live with it.

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: Tangoman on December 24, 2005, 09:37:32 am

The enhancement plugin from this crowd does a good jobhttp://www.virtos-audio.com/?uri=prod.nw_overview.html

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: risingdamp on December 28, 2005, 09:07:11 am

Quote from: GHammer on December 24, 2005, 12:12:48 am

Look for a DirectX plugin called High Frequency Stimulator
If that makes the sound more pleasing you're in luck.
If not, then you'll have to live with it.

I agree.  Get it here (http://www.kvraudio.com/get/330.html).

Title: Re: How to make low bit rate mp3's sound better
Post by: hit_ny on February 18, 2006, 07:59:55 am

http://www.di.fm/

They have aacplus streams as low as 24k

Looks like that might be the only workable option.

Can MC batch convert from mp3 to AACplus ?

aacPlus (HE-AAC) is a better audio compression format enabling great sound at extremely low bitrates. HE-AAC is not the plain AAC which is used by Apple. Slate Article on HE-AAC (http://slate.msn.com/id/2112548)