Music Compression

Procedure for creating music files that can be played at HDPC parties.

Definition of Terms

• kbps - kilobits per second - standard measurement for data per unit of time used to encode music. Compressed music quality is governed by kbps and the compression algorithm sophistication.
• CBR - constant bit rate - kbps does not vary regardless of musical complexity - older algorithms use this.
• VBR - variable bit rate - kbps increases during more complex portions, and decreases during simpler portions - better quality can be achieved with VBR.
• Codec - encoder-decoder - the name of the algorithm used for encoding music, and hence for decoding it.
• MPEG - Moving Pictures Experts Group - a group of people who invent codecs for both video and audio.
• MP3 - A codec - MPEG-1, Layer-3 - NOT mpeg-3. Most popular codec ever - originally CBR, then VBR improvements kept it viable, and just when better codecs arrived that might have replaced it, out comes MP3PRO which is presently one of the best, and its mp3-compatible - AAC is its only competition at the time of this writing (IMHO). MP3PRO is presently the top choice for submitting music to be played at HDPC parties.
• AAC - Advanced Audio Coding - MPEG-4 audio - may have the edge over MP3PRO(?) - the battle is still raging! - still very new and does not yet enjoy broad support in players - used in Apple iPod. I can not yet play AAC files at HDPC parties.
• wma - windows media audio codec - quite good, but microsoft... can be played back at HDPC parties, and hence is an acceptable format for submitted music.
• OOPS - Oh Oh Possible Screwup - Any file format may be submitted for playback at HDPC parties - I will re-encode if necessary. Just needs to be high-quality so it sounds good.

Guidelines for Submitted Music (please abide)

• Files should be compressed using a high quality setting. Preferred format is mp3 (VBR better than CBR, mp3PRO better than mp3, VBR mp3PRO at 100% quality is ideal) or Windows Media (wma) - so I don't have to re-record for player compatibility, although any compression scheme that can be read by my Windows XP computer will do.
  • Recommended: 96-128kbps for sophisticated compression algorithms (VBR mp3 and better), and 128-160kbps for older compression schemes (CBR mp3 and similar), and 160-196kbps for mpeg/mp2 and equivalent.
  • Hint 1: 128kbps yields a filesize of about 1MB per minute of music.
  • Hint 2: Preferred method for music submission is by uploading music files using the form on the dance music page. Email attachment is also fine, but beware: most decent ISPs support transmission of attachments up to 10MB, but free web-based email accounts are more limited. If the file won't go, download my file splitter and break it up and send it in pieces.
• The filename should be correctly formatted: {artist} - {album} - {song-title}.{ext} where {ext} is a standard audio file-type extension that accurately reflects the type of compression - normally assigned by your encoding software so you don't have to worry about it. If you don't know the Album or the Artist, put (unknown) instead. If you don't know the title, make something up and append (not) at the end. Examples:
  • The Beatles - Abbey Road - Hey Jude.mp3
  • (unknown) - (unknown) - Some Fun Song I Found (not).mp3

If Music is on Audio CD

Tools & Equipment

• Computer with CD ROM drive
• Music Player, or other software, for example:
  • MusicMatch (free version is adequate for high-quality mp3PRO, however plus version is preferred so music automatically includes tags for art and text, and its faster). This is top recommendation.
  • Windows Media Player (free version adequate for high quality wma files - wma format is fine if you don't mind feeding the Microsoft giant)
  • RealOne Player (premium player required for high quality mp3 - RealAudio is not a preferred format - does not support HDPC compatible filenaming)

General Procedure

• Put the CD in the drive (and wait a few moments)
• Invoke the player
• Configure the player
• Create and/or select folder for compressed files
• Filename format: {artist} - {album} - {song}
• Compression Scheme, e.g. mp3PRO VBR, Windows Media Audio (variable bit rate).
• Quality
  • If VBR (variable bit rate - recommended), select 100%, or high quality.
  • If CBR (constant bit rate - not recommended), select 128-160 kilobits per second (kbps) stereo.
• Other options
• Select files to compress
• Say "Go"

Details

MusicMatch Configuration (version 8.x)

Options Menu -> Settings -> Recorder

Recording Quality Recording format: mp3PRO Custom quality (VBR): 100% CD Recording Mode: Digital with Error Correction Tracks Directory & Advanced: See below.

Tracks Directory

Directory for New Change to something and remember what you changed it to, since this is the folder you will browse to when uploading for submission Make Sub-Path using Clear all checkboxes. Name Track File using Clear Track Number Check *** Use the Up / Down buttons to put them in the correct order Artist Album Track Name Separator: - (space-dash-space)

Advanced

MP3 Encoding Channels: Stereo Processing Level: Very High Maximum Bandwidth: Let Encoder choose

 

Windows Media Configuration (version 9.x)

Tools Menu -> Options -> Copy Music

Copy music to this location Change to something and remember what you changed it to, since this is the folder you will browse to when uploading for submission. File Name: See below. Copy settings Format: Windows Media Audio (variable bit rate) Audio quality: drag slider to midway between "Smallest Size" and "Best Quality". (this is still very high / CD quality setting)

File Name

Check only the following *** Use the "Move Up" & "Move Down" buttons to achieve order: Artist Album Song title Separator: - (Dash)

 

RealOne Player Configuration (version 2.x)

• Tools Menu -> Preferences
  • General
    • File Locations
      • Recorded Music Files: Browse to somewhere and remember where. this info required for uploading to HDPC.
  • CD
    • When Inserting a CD
      • Additional CD Options
        • Get CD Info online when a CD is inserted
    • When Saving a CD to My Library
      • Select a Format: MP3 (I don't own the premium player, but you want mp3PRO if possible, and variable bit rate (vbr) if possible.
      • Select a Quality Level: (I don't own premium player, but you want high quality if variable bit rate (vbr), and 160kbps if constant bit rate (cbr).
    • Advanced CD
      • Save CD Method
        • Digital
        • Use Error Correction
• Note: Files will need to be renamed, since RealOne does not support HDPC compatible filename configuration.

 

If Music is on Analog Media (vinyl, casette, ...)

• Connect line output of analog playback device to line input of audio card.
• Use recording capability of software that came with your sound card or operating system, or other software.
• If more help needed, consult sound card / recording software documentation or search the net...
• MusicMatch can be used to convert recorded file format if necessary, as can other audio editing software.
• Recommendations for middle-weight audio recorders / editors
  • Adobe Audition ($300) - used to be Cool Edit by Syntillium
  • Sound Forge ($400)

 

Hope this helps