What's the best (easiest) LAME encoder?

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Level 1

35 points

What's the best (easiest) LAME encoder?

Since buying my iBook 5 months ago, I've been putting off importing my CD collection, because I'm overwhelmed by all the different encoders and bitrates. I have read lots of forums and help/info pages and seen blind testing comparisons of encoders, so I have decided to use LAME, instead of iTunes' encoder.
I'm looking for some suggestions as to what is the best front-end for the LAME engine. I haven't yet found a good one-there don't seem to be many for Mac. I've already downloaded the iTunes-LAME Applescript, but that seems bsically worthless: It's VERY limited in features, and only offers 2 bitrates.
From my own listening tests, I have found that I prefer MP3s encoded at a 320 bitrate, and I want a LAME app that offers all the usual VBR options.
Any comments on using NMP3 Ripper?

Thanks everyone, for your input.

iBook G4 1.33, Mac OS X (10.4.3), iBook G4 1.33, 250GB USB HDD, Logitech S530 wireless keyboard & mouse

Posted on Mar 23, 2006 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

NoName

Level 6

12,831 points

Mar 23, 2006 9:14 AM in response to OregonRebel

I've always just compiled and used the CLI encoder. Every available option is available, and no front end is required at all. A few bash scripts are helpful in retaining tags and converting directly from FLAC, etc.

iTunes-LAME, by the way, is one of the better graphical ways of using LAME on OS X. You can enter your own custom command strings, also, so it's not true that there are only presets available.

If you aren't comfortable using Terminal at this point, but still want the best quality rips you can muster out of OS X, then my humble and honest recommendation would be to rip your CDs to WAV format with xACT (see versiontracker), and then add the WAVs to iTunes for tagging and encoding with iTunes-LAME once that is configured to your satisfaction.

For help with LAME versions and settings, the best place to check for advice is http://www.hydrogenaudio.org .

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Answer 2

OregonRebel Author

Level 1

35 points

Mar 23, 2006 9:42 AM in response to OregonRebel

Thanks, but I'm not into compiling anything, don't know how to make command strings, know virtually nothing about tagging and I try to avoid Terminal whenever possible.

Hey, I'm just a 5 month-old Mac newbie 😉

I just want to get my music quickly & easily into iTunes, not waste a month importing, converting & tagging every disc I own!

I'm looking for a nice, simple way to do this, and if there isn't one, then I'll rip through iTunes anyway.
I shouldn't have to (and not going to) use a bunch of different apps & scripts to do what should be a simple procedure.

But I'm no audiophile, and if I ripped all my CDs via iTunes, I probably wouldn't know the sound quality was lacking, without something better to compare it to.

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Answer 3

gojou5

Level 1

4 points

Apr 28, 2006 11:04 AM in response to OregonRebel

Take a look at Max, a relatively new entrant in the field of Macintosh encoders. It can encode to a wide variety of formats (including LAME mp3), is very flexible and easy to use, and, last but not least, is free. It's the best tool available for encoding music in OS X.

http://sbooth.org/Max/

Prior to using Max, I used NMP3 Ripper exclusively. It is very good software, but Max takes things to the next level.

Dual G5 2.0 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

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Answer 4

NoName

Level 6

12,831 points

Apr 28, 2006 11:26 AM in response to gojou5

Also now using Max 😉

It ain't foobar2000, but it is indeed the best ripping/encoding solution for OS X Tiger.

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Answer 5

OregonRebel Author

Level 1

35 points

Apr 28, 2006 4:53 PM in response to OregonRebel

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try Max.

I've installed NMP3 Ripper, but haven't yet used it. I don't like its limited presets, and was going to experiment with Extreme or Insane settings.
BTW, is there much loss in quality when converting from one format to another? I have some WMA files, and some FLAC files that I need to convert to play in iTunes.

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Answer 6

NoName

Level 6

12,831 points

Apr 28, 2006 11:06 PM in response to OregonRebel

BTW, is there much loss in quality when converting from one format to another? I have some WMA files, and some FLAC files that I need to convert to play in iTunes.

When converting from a lossless format (FLAC, etc.) to another format, there won't be any quality loss that that wouldn't be when ripping directly from audio CD. In other words, converting FLAC to Apple Lossless won't result in any quality loss, and converting FLAC to MP3, AAC, etc, will give just the same result as ripping directly to those formats from audio CD.

If you want to play unsupported lossy files, such as WMA, in iTunes, you will indeed lose some quality when converting these to another format. The only way you won't lose quality in this process is if you convert a lossy format to a lossless format; in that case, the sound will be just the same, but at the expense of much larger files.

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