If you've got a portable MP3/media player, you may be wondering what audio format and bitrate combination is best? This digital music FAQ will focus on the best audio format and bitrate to use to produce high quality sound while keeping file sizes down.
Audio Format
If you're not going to be using high-end audiophile equipment in the future to listen to your digital music library, then the MP3 file format is best. It's an old algorithm but one that gives good results and is the most compatible audio format of them all.
Bitrate Encoding
Rather than encoding using the default Constant Bit Rate (CBR) setting, it is far better to use Variable Bit Rate (VBR) encoding which will give you the best quality to file size ratio. If you use an audio file converter that uses the MP3 Lame encoder, then the recommended preset is 'fast extreme' which equates to the following:
- Lame encoder switch: -V0
- Average bitrate: Approx. 245 Kbps
- VBR Working range: 220-260 Kbps
