AAC vs. MP3? What's the difference?

omgwut · Feb 22, 2008, 07:35 PM

Hey there,

I'm just starting the process of going through and ripping my CD library to iTunes to back up on my HDD and iPod. I wanted to use the Apple Lossless format, but I've got a 30GB iPod and like 100 albums so I'm not sure whether they'll all fit.

I'm looking at ripping them either to 256kbps AAC or MP3, but I don't know if there's some kind of quality difference between the two. Anyone know? Thanks.

Eidorian · Feb 22, 2008, 07:39 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance...ments_over_MP3

I just use VBR MP3 encoded using LAME 3.97.

PkennethV · Feb 22, 2008, 08:00 PM

It's pretty much agreed upon that AACs sound better per bitrate than mp3's. the only drawback is that MP3 will play on any other well...mp3 player. as long as you're planning to use iPods for the foreseeable future, then stick with AACs

omgwut · Feb 22, 2008, 08:04 PM

Ok, thanks guys. One more question about Apple Lossless, though: If I ripped some CDs to my Mac in Lossless format, is there some way in iTunes that I can take those big lossless files and encode them into mp3s or aac files? Like so I'll still have the original lossless files but I can make compressed copies whenever I want to without having to find my CDs and re-rip them?

Don't know if there is or not, but I havent seen it.

Cromulent · Feb 22, 2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgwut

Ok, thanks guys. One more question about Apple Lossless, though: If I ripped some CDs to my Mac in Lossless format, is there some way in iTunes that I can take those big lossless files and encode them into mp3s or aac files? Like so I'll still have the original lossless files but I can make compressed copies whenever I want to without having to find my CDs and re-rip them?

Don't know if there is or not, but I havent seen it.

What would be the point? You'd just end up losing quality. The only reason to use Apple Lossless is if you want to keep your music in the exact same quality as it is on the CD.

Mac OS X Ocelot · Feb 22, 2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgwut

Ok, thanks guys. One more question about Apple Lossless, though: If I ripped some CDs to my Mac in Lossless format, is there some way in iTunes that I can take those big lossless files and encode them into mp3s or aac files? Like so I'll still have the original lossless files but I can make compressed copies whenever I want to without having to find my CDs and re-rip them?

Don't know if there is or not, but I havent seen it.

Yes. Set the importing settings to the MP3 or AAC settings you want and then highlight the songs you want converted, right click them and select "Convert to AAC" (or MP3). But you can't go back to lossless, so you'll have to keep those as well. Well, you can convert AAC back to the lossless but they won't be the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cromulent

What would be the point? You'd just end up losing quality. The only reason to use Apple Lossless is if you want to keep your music in the exact same quality as it is on the CD.

I think it's so they can put the smaller files on their iPod and keep the lossless for the computer.

omgwut · Feb 22, 2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac OS X Ocelot

Yes. Set the importing settings to the MP3 or AAC settings you want and then highlight the songs you want converted, right click them and select "Convert to AAC" (or MP3). But you can't go back to lossless, so you'll have to keep those as well. Well, you can convert AAC back to the lossless but they won't be the same.

I think it's so they can put the smaller files on their iPod and keep the lossless for the computer.

Yes, that's exactly my reason for asking.

Thanks for the help, everyone! You guys are splendid.

TricBox · Feb 22, 2008, 08:20 PM

You could have both if you wanted. Rip them in Lossless, copy the files to a second HDD, then convert the ones in the library to AAC. Then depending on the quality you want to listen to, set up the lossless as a second library.

JesterJJZ · Feb 22, 2008, 09:34 PM

I just rip everything into 320 mp3.

SactoGuy18 · Feb 23, 2008, 09:09 PM

I've ripped both into AAC 256 kbps VBR and MP3 256 kbps VBR and the only difference between the two is that AAC files are slightly smaller. Fortunately, a lot of newer non-Apple portable media players now support AAC, so using AAC only isn't so bad.

Feb 22, 2008, 07:35 PM	#1
omgwut macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2006	AAC vs. MP3? What's the difference? Hey there, I'm just starting the process of going through and ripping my CD library to iTunes to back up on my HDD and iPod. I wanted to use the Apple Lossless format, but I've got a 30GB iPod and like 100 albums so I'm not sure whether they'll all fit. I'm looking at ripping them either to 256kbps AAC or MP3, but I don't know if there's some kind of quality difference between the two. Anyone know? Thanks.
	0

Feb 22, 2008, 07:39 PM	#2
Eidorian macrumors Penryn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance...ments_over_MP3 I just use VBR MP3 encoded using LAME 3.97. __________________ Core i5 750 / 16 GB RAM / SSD / HD 7950 / Windows 8 MRoogle it!
	0

Feb 22, 2008, 09:34 PM	#9
JesterJJZ macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2004	I just rip everything into 320 mp3. __________________ jesterpictures.com theoryiseverything.com jarek.com Shoot for the Impossible...Then do it MacPro Octo 2.66, 32GB, ATI 4870, 23" ACD, Dell 2311h -- 15" MBP 2.6 i7, Anti-Glare, 16GB, 240GB SSD + 1TB
	0

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Feb 22, 2008, 08:00 PM	#3
PkennethV macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto	It's pretty much agreed upon that AACs sound better per bitrate than mp3's. the only drawback is that MP3 will play on any other well...mp3 player. as long as you're planning to use iPods for the foreseeable future, then stick with AACs
	0

Feb 22, 2008, 08:04 PM	#4
omgwut Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2006	Ok, thanks guys. One more question about Apple Lossless, though: If I ripped some CDs to my Mac in Lossless format, is there some way in iTunes that I can take those big lossless files and encode them into mp3s or aac files? Like so I'll still have the original lossless files but I can make compressed copies whenever I want to without having to find my CDs and re-rip them? Don't know if there is or not, but I havent seen it.
	0

Feb 22, 2008, 08:20 PM	#8
TricBox macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2008	You could have both if you wanted. Rip them in Lossless, copy the files to a second HDD, then convert the ones in the library to AAC. Then depending on the quality you want to listen to, set up the lossless as a second library.
	0

Feb 23, 2008, 09:09 PM	#10
SactoGuy18 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA USA	I've ripped both into AAC 256 kbps VBR and MP3 256 kbps VBR and the only difference between the two is that AAC files are slightly smaller. Fortunately, a lot of newer non-Apple portable media players now support AAC, so using AAC only isn't so bad.
	0