iPod Recommended AAC Settings

[betbest1]

The music in my library that I ripped from CDs is currently encoded at 192 kbps MP3, but after hearing criticism of Apple's MP3 encoder, I decided to rip them in AAC. What settings in iTunes would you recommend?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I recommend you search or at least browse the appropiate forums. There are numerous threads on this topic...

AAC@128 is good enough for all my intentions, BTW...

 

[starnox]

I need to make some MP3 file but haven't been that impressed with iTunes MP3 Encoder either. Any other good free ones for OS X?

 

[dotdotdot]

AAC@128 -> MP3@128 = sounds like WMA@64

 

[jimsowden]

AAC=God. I rip mine at 192 with VBR, and I cannot tell the difference on any audio player. So good.

 

[tag]

I always liked the 160 AAC in iTunes, to me it sound's alot better than the 128 AAC default that my sister encodes her music at. I didn't notice a huge difference between 160 and 192 to warrent going higher. Best advice would be to rip your favorite song at like 128, 160, and 192 (or higher if you like) and see which sounds best to your ear, vs acceptable file size(if that is even an issue for you). Thats what I did originally and it let me work out which type was most acceptable for sound/size wise.