Ableton Forum

What do you use when you need to convert to mp3?

Lot's of options out there these days. For free you could use iTunes, I tend to use Sample Manager (now called Myriad) for batch conversions myself.

i mostly use XLD (i think it's OS X only though)...

On OS X I'm using Switch.

Max from sbooth.org is another good one I've used that's free.

Tarekith wrote:Max from sbooth.org is another good one I've used that's free.

I was using Max and it was super quick, but I noticed a significant latency between the Wav and the resulting mp3. The MP3 start about 1/2 a bar late. That kinda wigs me out. Any idea how to fix that?

Why convert to mp3? Doesn’t just about everything support higher quality files now?

beats me wrote:Why convert to mp3? Doesn’t just about everything support higher quality files now?

I hear you. HATE mp3's, but they are easier to share with collaborators, etc.

abpm wrote:

Tarekith wrote:Max from sbooth.org is another good one I've used that's free.

I was using Max and it was super quick, but I noticed a significant latency between the Wav and the resulting mp3. The MP3 start about 1/2 a bar late. That kinda wigs me out. Any idea how to fix that?

I have no idea, haven't used it in awhile, but I never had that issue when I was. Sorry.

beats me wrote:Why convert to mp3? Doesn’t just about everything support higher quality files now?

Even if you have to go with a compressed file, I still find AAC to be closer sounding to the high quality version. I always opt for those instead of MP3 these days, evne with the best encoders.

Question: does anyone know how changing extension from Wav to MP3 in info differs from doing it in iTunes? I right clicked just a test to see if it works. Seems like the quality is the same and I examined the waveforms and didn't notice a difference. And thoughts on this process? It's actually really quick and easy. Just duplicate the Wav file and change extension to MP3.

abpm wrote:

beats me wrote:Why convert to mp3? Doesn’t just about everything support higher quality files now?

I hear you. HATE mp3's, but they are easier to share with collaborators, etc.

I don’t know if “easier” is the correct term if you are talking about file size. It’s not like we are still on dialup speeds and 80 GB top drive size now. I would think collaborators would want the highest quality file possible. Not to mention if they are using Live it’s going to convert the file to a WAV file anyway.

beats me wrote:

abpm wrote:

beats me wrote:Why convert to mp3? Doesn’t just about everything support higher quality files now?

I hear you. HATE mp3's, but they are easier to share with collaborators, etc.

I don’t know if “easier” is the correct term if you are talking about file size. It’s not like we are still on dialup speeds and 80 GB top drive size now. I would think collaborators would want the highest quality file possible. Not to mention if they are using Live it’s going to convert the file to a WAV file anyway.

Certain people do not want anything but MP3s sent to them. That's just reality.

abpm wrote:Question: does anyone know how changing extension from Wav to MP3 in info differs from doing it in iTunes? I right clicked just a test to see if it works. Seems like the quality is the same and I examined the waveforms and didn't notice a difference. And thoughts on this process? It's actually really quick and easy. Just duplicate the Wav file and change extension to MP3.

doesn't this defeat the purpose?

If you're going to send over a huge file, why not just send it as is?

abpm wrote:Certain people do not want anything but MP3s sent to them. That's just reality.

Maybe the forum can collectively come up with an intelligent but non-confrontational letter explaining why that request is dated and no longer necessary that you can fire off to these dinosaurs.