FLAC vs MP3: Moving music collection to CD archives

kctexan · #1 02-21-2012, 08:31 PM

FINALLY, seriously starting to move the part of my music collection, that's on cassettes, to MP3 CDs.
It's gonna take years.........

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admin · #2 02-21-2012, 08:33 PM

You waited so long that I'd skip MP3 -- go with FLAC.

kctexan · #3 02-21-2012, 08:33 PM

So.... will Sound Forge record FLAC, or do I continue to save files as WAVs, then somehow convert them to FLAC, or can I save them to FLAC with SF9 (which I'm about to look for...)

Update:
OK!... Saving a recording lasting 46:16, a 256kb/s MP3 is 84.7 Mb; a 44kh, 16-bit stereo FLAC is 215 Mb, the original WAV file is 467 Mb, and a 96Kh, 24-bit FLAC is 1.5 Gb. Not sure if I want to spring for the 44Kh FLAC, which takes almost 3 times the space of the MP3. Also, I need the MP3, so it will play in my car. I was going to save the MP3s on a CD, plus save the WAVs on a Blu-Ray data disc. Maybe I'll save FLACs instead of WAVs, since it takes up less than half the space of WAVs.

admin · #4 02-21-2012, 08:35 PM

Sound Forge 9 does FLAC. I'd save the lossless FLAC on Blu-ray as data -- not WAV. Create a lossy MP3 for the car. Remember those keywords: lossless and lossy. Lossless is the same quality as uncompressed, but with smaller file size.

You may also want to consider 48kHz over 44.1kHz, for the recording quality + FLAC save. Downsize the MP3 to 44.1 on Save As export.

kctexan · #5 02-21-2012, 08:35 PM

I'm taking your advice. Gotta start over (sigh...) but that's OK, because I had recorded only the first 6 cassettes. Thanks!!!!
Should I still record in 16-bit, with the 48KHz, or bump up to 24-bit?

admin · #6 02-21-2012, 08:35 PM

16-bit is fine.

kctexan · #7 02-21-2012, 08:37 PM

Hey. I couldn't find Save As Export on SF 9, but I did find a template setting for 256kbps CD Transparent Audio, that saves the file as a 44,100 Hz, 16 bit stereo MP3 file, so wouldn't that be the same as what you describe?

I sent a small donation the other day. Will send more when I can.
Thanks for your help, as always.

admin · #8 02-21-2012, 08:44 PM

Thanks for continuing to support the site all these many years.

Yes, it's just "Save As", select the MP3 format, and then pick one of the templates.
The 256kbps setting works. In fact, the 192 would work just as well for most audio. Or even 320.
The is rule: The more noisy/fuzzy the audio, the more bitrate it needs.

soundforge9-mp3-saves.jpg