Mp3 or Cd

[darron016]

I have all my music on my I pod, and some songs hit harder than others.. And some songs are just not as loud as others, but I don't want to turn the lower sounding songs up higher than my HU is set to start clipping at.. I did some google research, everyone says to listen to songs on CD's because the bass is better. But when I put a CD in, the bass was a lot softer..
What is recommended? And is there anyway to compensate for songs that are not recorded as loud?

[Tenacious]

I believe there is a setting in iTunes on your computer to up the volume on particular songs if they're quiet. You'll have to manually do it for each song that isn't recorded as loud, though.

[neo_styles]

Don't mess with any software that claims to normalize your volume. ESPECIALLY Sound Check on iTunes.

That being said, there's no difference audibly between CD and 192Kbps MP3. I go for 320 just for good measure. You may want to look at re-ripping your discs to 320 and see if there's a difference, but CD should theoretically come out on top since it's as uncompressed as you can get without tape or vinyl.

[darron016]

I believe there is a setting in iTunes on your computer to up the volume on particular songs if they're quiet. You'll have to manually do it for each song that isn't recorded as loud, though.

And also on my I pod under settings, you can play the music in different EQ's or playbacks. Like hip hop, rock and roll, bass reducer bass booster treble booster. Etc and I think that throws off the reading on my DMM and don't know witch one of those to pick for maximum pleasure.

[darron016]

Don't mess with any software that claims to normalize your volume. ESPECIALLY Sound Check on iTunes.

That being said, there's no difference audibly between CD and 192Kbps MP3. I go for 320 just for good measure. You may want to look at re-ripping your discs to 320 and see if there's a difference, but CD should theoretically come out on top since it's as uncompressed as you can get without tape or vinyl.

No idea what 320 is, but I burned a CD from my friends I tunes because I didn't have my I pod charger..

Listened to the CD in my car, got home put CD songs on to I POD. And the I pod bass was louder.. But I also have settings on my ipod witch could effect that.

[Tenacious]

I always have my iPod EQ flat. That may be why CDs dont seem to hit as hard for you.

[darron016]

^^ So messing with my IPOD settings can make my system clip? or not?

[neo_styles]

No idea what 320 is, but I burned a CD from my friends I tunes because I didn't have my I pod charger..

Listened to the CD in my car, got home put CD songs on to I POD. And the I pod bass was louder.. But I also have settings on my ipod witch could effect that.

It's the sample rate aka bitrate for your songs. Higher bitrate is better quality, but at the expense of file size. If you just clicked burn on a friend's computer, it's most likely in 128kbps AAC which will explain the meh quality in your songs. If you spend some time on google researching "Exact Audio Copy" you'll find a much better tool for making your CDs to MP3.

As for the iPod EQ, turn it off (not even flat). The only thing that should be making EQ adjustments in your chain are the HU or external EQ if you'll be running one.

[Tenacious]

By flat I meant off.. Forgot that there's an EQ option actually called "flat"

[neo_styles]

^^ So messing with my IPOD settings can make my system clip? or not?

Yes it can make it clip

[americannight]

Personally, I can not tell the difference between CD and 320Kbps MP3 when driving. If I'm sitting in front of a pair of audio speakers in a controlled environment, that's another story. However, it is important to note that MP3 compression does filter all frequencies below 25Hz so if you are looking to play ultra low bass then you're better off with CD.

I rarely download MP3s but prefer to get the CD and rip it myself at 320Kbps. I'm much happier with the audio quality that way. Give it a try. In terms of the ipod, there is a setting in iTunes which will convert MP3s to a lower bitrate when you import them into your ipod so make sure that is UNchecked, especially when you are importing higher bitrate files to your ipod, such as 320Kbps. Otherwise files will be down-converted.

[SourDeez]

That being said, there's no difference audibly between CD and 192Kbps MP3

I think you have it confused.. cd's are 320 and most mp3s are 192kbps..and anytime you transfer songs to an ipod from itunes it converts to 192 even if its 320. There is actually quite a big difference. I guess I use studio montiors at home so I can easily tell but ya 320 makes a pretty big diff

[neo_styles]

anytime you transfer songs to an ipod from itunes it converts to 192 even if its 320

Haven't seen this unless I check the block for downconverting on the iPod's settings menu. Does it have to do with the internal DAC?

And yeah, studio monitors tend to be a bit more revealing than a car environment with a 60db noise floor

---------- Post added at 10:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------

Btw, I use EAC to convert CD to 320CBR mp3, so didn't intend to be backwards

[darron016]

Okay so can I convert songs back to 320 that are already on my IPOD?

[neo_styles]

Okay so can I convert songs back to 320 that are already on my IPOD?

You shouldn't do this. You're basically compressing an already-compressed song, degrading it further. Instead, find the CD you made the copy from and re-rip it at 320. Discard what's already on your ipod.