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Can't hear difference between CD and MP3!
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Djones
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
267
Posts :
1766
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 14:31
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So I put it to the test.
I played one track from CD and the exact same track in MP3 from my PC, I made sure all volumes were at the same level, and quess what!?
I can't hear the difference, at all!
I have Genelecs 8040 speakers, so they should be fairly good, but maybe the only part are the low frequencies below 40 hertz, which the Genelecs don't cover.
Do you think it's mainly all frequencies below 30/40 hertz which aren't there in MP3?
If so, that would explain why I didn't hear the difference.
If not, am I deaf or is the whole MP3/CD debate just a bunch of BS? |
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UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 15:05
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What rate did you use for the MP3? Many test show that most people can't tell the difference between 256 Kbps MP3s (and above) and the original wave file.
When people say that MP3s sound like crap they usualy mean 128 Kbps and below. (Which does indeed sound like shit  .
Also, alot of people that criticise MP3s just use a crappy encoder. So basicly they are criticising the encoder rather than the format.
Add to that the placebo effect and you have all sorts of wild and unfounded rumours about MP3.
UnderTow |
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Scala
Scala
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
201
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 18:13
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on big outdoor stereo systems , u'll hear the diffrences... |
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UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 18:58
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Ah! We have one of those rumours.
UnderTow |
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soulfood
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
875
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 19:23
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I especially notice the difference in the hi end with sustained percussion. Seems to swirl. And in trance sometimes the kicks don't sound consistent. |
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DJSarasin
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
27
Posts :
789
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 19:24
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 19:50
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Quote:
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On 2007-02-16 19:24, DJSarasin wrote:
play it on a big rig.
U WILL hear the differance!
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Yes YOU WILL!
Cause unlike the professionals that done serious blind test you don't have a clue about placebo and how to make a real and conclusive test.
 (``·.¸(``·.¸(``·.¸¸.·`´)¸.·`´)¸.·`´)
« .....www.ResonantEarth.com..... »
(¸.·`´(¸.·`´(¸.·`´``·.¸)``·.¸)``·.¸)
http://www.myspace.com/spindriftsounds
http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 20:12
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I'll just repost what I did in my first post as some people seem to have some trouble reading:
When people say that MP3s sound like crap they usualy mean 128 Kbps and below. (Which does indeed sound like shit).
Also, alot of people that criticise MP3s just use a crappy encoder. So basicly they are criticising the encoder rather than the format.
Add to that the placebo effect and you have all sorts of wild and unfounded rumours about MP3.
I'll add that no PA system comes anywhere close to good studio monitors. If you can't hear it on studio monitors, it is very unlikely you can hear it on a PA system.
UnderTow |
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TOPE
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
185
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 20:15
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Quote:
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... you don't have a clue about placebo and how to make a real and conclusive test. |
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... do you guys know each other...? 
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UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 20:34
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Quote:
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On 2007-02-16 20:15, TOPE wrote:
Quote:
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... you don't have a clue about placebo and how to make a real and conclusive test. |
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... do you guys know each other...?
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Lol. Only online. But anyone that knows anything about testing audio knows about the placebo effect, double blind tests, ABX testing etc etc.
UnderTow |
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Sound Surgeon
Crater / Mish-kah
Started Topics :
250
Posts :
2244
Posted : Feb 16, 2007 20:34
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From what i heard, the mp3s (in good qualities) can be a little lower on volume and some of the high-end freqs, but if the encoding is done good its almost impossible to hear.
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Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Feb 17, 2007 05:19
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You need to know what to listen to.
On lower bitrates (128-192) you can usually hear phasing effects, especially on the higher frequencies. Listen to the high hats. When going even higher, 256 and 320, you can usually hear it on fast transients including high frequencies - or in English - kick drums. They won't sound as sharp as wavs.
Btw - I don't think you can hear the differences on PA. There aren't many PA's which match monitoring conditions. At a party there is a lot of background noise and usually you don't really concentrate on the "mp3 vs wav" issue. Even if there was a difference, you could credit it to poor production, poor gear etc etc before crediting it to mp3. But yes, wav would be better. |
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Akousma
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
69
Posted : Feb 17, 2007 05:53
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well i think i can make u understand mp3...download these fileplz..:
www.megaupload.com/?d=04LO8ZU0
ok, so the kik.wav is loud and clear, no noise on it...iv putted the various resolutions int mp3 so u can hear the attack noise that the mp3 puts on the sample..thats mp3 and what it does to sound..>)
the first one is at 320 kbps and almost doesnt affect the sample...so its quite ookay to play at live P:A with mp3 at 320kbps if u need to-->)
cheers and hope it helped:)
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UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Feb 18, 2007 20:45
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Akousma, you have nicely demonstrated that you don't understand how MP3 works.
This is your kick in a short loop encoded in a VBR MP3 at 32 - 96 Kbps: http://home.casema.nl/ajohnston/kickloop_32-96Kbps.mp3
You can hear the encoding but don't forget that this is at a very low bitrate! After the first kick, which has the same encoding artefacts as your MP3s, it sounds better than your 128 Kbps file. Now why is that? Homework for next lesson. 
UnderTow
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OpTiKoOl
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
48
Posts :
256
Posted : Feb 18, 2007 21:21
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