Subject:Creating 192k mono mp3's

Posted by: seanmccoy

Date:1/20/2014 3:18:05 PM

Just finished an audiobook project and the distributor wants 192k, preferably mono mp3's. I guess this hasn't ever come up for me until now, but I find I can't create those in SFP 10. Changing the format to mono in the custom page, 192k isn't available. I realize 96k mono is essentially the same thing, but the client is asking for something specific so I have to believe it's possible to provide it. But not from Sound Forge?

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:1/20/2014 3:42:55 PM

Apparently not. Can with LAME ....

geoff

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:1/20/2014 3:53:25 PM

192k mono = 384k stereo = overkill.
But if that is what they want, render .wav in Sound Forge and .mp3 in a Lame frontend (CDex or Poweramp DB).

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: rraud

Date:1/20/2014 5:06:40 PM

WinLAME also batch processes easily.
http://lame.sourceforge.net
Stereo MP3 encoding for spoken word material is not really necessary / size vs. quality economy, but if that's what the client wants..
FWIW, WinLAMErc3 has scripting to add HP/ LP filters and other parameters not available the GUI menu.

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: seanmccoy

Date:1/21/2014 4:01:25 PM

Thanks, all, will give WinLAME a try (batch processing is a necessity). The company is ACX (Amazon), which is doing a ton of this these days. They specify 192kB mono, but will accept stereo, which shows they're likely running into this situation with providers often.

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: rraud

Date:1/21/2014 7:02:23 PM

Batch processing is a breeze w/ WinLAME.
Give them192kbs mono then. (equivalent of 384kbs stereo) Overkill for spoken word IMO, if that's for the end user.
Just out of curiosity, did they specify sample-rate, CBR / VBR and/or other encode parameters besides kb/s?

PS- The Sonnox pro encoder may be another option. Never used it though and it likely wouldn't 'sound' much different than LAME, but offers real-time auditioning, and easier meta data entry. It ain't free though.

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: seanmccoy

Date:1/21/2014 10:55:54 PM

The only other technical specifications were for 16-bit, 44.1 originals. Interesting suggestion for the Sonnox, though! The Pro Encoder is formidably expensive for jobs like this, IMO, but the Codex Toolbox is another story. From what I can gather from looking over the user guide, it will encode at any bit rate, and it does have a batch conversion option. It even has the 'Mastered for iTunes' codec, if you run it on a Mac (which I can). Think I'll get the free demo and check it out. Thanks for the idea!

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: Steve Grisetti

Date:1/22/2014 7:38:08 AM

I agree with musicvid.

Why create a huge file that doesn't sound any better than a standard CD or MP3?

192K is generally used for master recordings. Not for delivered, finished music.

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: SonySQAPete

Date:1/22/2014 10:38:59 AM

The "Mastered for iTunes" codec actually ships with OS X. There's nothing additional needed to install.

It's just a command-line tool called afconvert.

There's also a "droplet" app that'll build and process batches of files for you using afconvert. It's distributed as a part of the Apple Audio Mastering Tools.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/mastered-for-itunes/

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: rraud

Date:1/22/2014 12:06:08 PM

"192K is generally used for master recordings. Not for delivered, finished music."
- I think Steve mistook 192kHz. (PCM- sample rate) for 192kbps (kilobytes per second) (MP3- bit rate).

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: Steve Grisetti

Date:1/22/2014 4:16:42 PM

He did. My goof.

Subject:RE: Creating 192k mono mp3's

Reply by: seanmccoy

Date:2/18/2014 8:26:02 PM

I did try out the Sonnox Codec Toolbox, by the way, and it's excellent for this type of work. I didn't get to try the plugin to audition encoding before my demo period expired, but I did check the standalone for its encoding options and ease of batch processing, and it has all the options (such as 192 mono) missing from SFP, and is very easy to operate. A definite buy before my next major 'encode and export' session.