Post Production of MP3 files for audible improvements

Not sure where this thread should be but I'm at the stage of trying at least to improve the overall audible sound quality of my MP3 library.

Thanks to SoftJock Rick I used MUVAUDIO to convert the 3500 WMA files I had into 1 Library properly organized into (3) levels.

Now that I have completed organizing and processing of my MP3 files using MP3Gain and Mixmeister to improve my library.

I have to say after listening to my files using "OTS" demo programs I just am hooked on how OTS manages to make them just sound better.

I just can't bring myself to use OTS on a day to day bases, but there has to be some technical reason why they just sound better to me (personal opinion).

Would using tools like the ones at http://www.platinumnotes.com/ give me that OTS experience?

Maybe some of the 'SEASONED" experts can chime in here and help me get closer to "Sound Nirvana", by explaining what I can realistically achieve or do next...

Sorry but just having WMA files and trying to convert them sends shivers up my spine

but I would NEVER use or download a WMA file what so ever
if you cant use MP3's in the first place then you can have more trouble than the time you took to read this (MS is just waiting to stick advertising in a WMA file so when you play it the DRM says this is a copyprotected file and you can not copy the file) now back to your regular listening patterns....

Wow some MS hater.... sheesh....

Not sure where this thread should be but I'm at the stage of trying at least to improve the overall audible sound quality of my MP3 library.

Thanks to SoftJock Rick I used MUVAUDIO to convert the 3500 WMA files I had into 1 Library properly organized into (3) levels.

Now that I have completed organizing and processing of my MP3 files using MP3Gain and Mixmeister to improve my library.

I have to say after listening to my files using "OTS" demo programs I just am hooked on how OTS manages to make them just sound better.

I just can't bring myself to use OTS on a day to day bases, but there has to be some technical reason why they just sound better to me (personal opinion).

Would using tools like the ones at http://www.platinumnotes.com/ give me that OTS experience?

Maybe some of the 'SEASONED" experts can chime in here and help me get closer to "Sound Nirvana", by explaining what I can realistically achieve or do next...

Ots isn't really making it any better they are just using a compressor limitor to level out the sound... take the peaks and valleys out so to speak...

I have Ots DJ, VDJ, Winamp, and soon Rockit.... I cannot tell the difference between them as far as audio quality.... all of my mp3s were ripped by audiograbber then imported into the Ots format just like yours should be unless you simply imported them as mp3s.

which means if you look at your directory you'll see a .OXM (might be .OMX) file with the same name as your mp3s for each of your mp3s.... all this is, is a data file that tells Ots what to do and how to do it... based on their alogrhyim (sp?)

All of my tracks like I said were ripped using Audiograbber and later imported into the Ots format... (nothing more than a data file wraped around an mp3) audiowise it's no different then the original mp3...

I've listened and compaired to the top 3 (my opinion) Rockit, Ots DJ, and VDJ and they all sound just as good... true Ots and VDJ have far mor features then Rockit... but ya can't beat the price of Rockit.... not to mention all the cool skins you can come up with.... Ots ain't skinnable and your stuck with the video arcade look... VDJ is skinnable but it's gear towards DJ's that like to scratch and their libraries are clumsy...

Rob, maybe just me, but VDJ sounds inferior to me, by a fair margin - and yes, I own, and used to use it.

Rob, maybe just me, but VDJ sounds inferior to me, by a fair margin - and yes, I own, and used to use it.

I gave it the fair shake... ran it for the demo period and used it at shows... it comes jam packed with features that video jocks and scratchers would love but when you get down to brass tacs and use it just to DJ from your typical Wedding DJ is gonna dislike it... the menu system is clumsy to say the least.... and I hate that when you maximize it that it takes over your screens resolution.... cause me some problems with lockups even on my new dual core pc... with 4 gigs of ram... it wasn't fatal... but could have been on a lesser machine.

Wow some MS hater.... sheesh....

ok how many WMA files you have or a friend has - delete the LIC file for them and then try playing them...

I bet before too long you want to scream and delete all the WMA files

ever since microcrap added this stupid DRM lic to wma files thats why I hate them with a passion

I had a client that wanted to upgrade his system and I had to transfer all data etc and his music files (99% are wma he BOUGHT)

I warned him about 6x months before that if he buys wma files I will NOT guarentee that when it all gets transfered that the lic file may not allow you to use them again - some say it workes after you spend hours playing every wma file to re-download the lic file

well not for me MP3's are far better and thats that....

you want to use wma's then have a nice day

ok how many WMA files you have or a friend has - delete the LIC file for them and then try playing them...

I bet before too long you want to scream and delete all the WMA files

ever since microcrap added this stupid DRM lic to wma files thats why I hate them with a passion

I had a client that wanted to upgrade his system and I had to transfer all data etc and his music files (99% are wma he BOUGHT)

I warned him about 6x months before that if he buys wma files I will NOT guarentee that when it all gets transfered that the lic file may not allow you to use them again - some say it workes after you spend hours playing every wma file to re-download the lic file

well not for me MP3's are far better and thats that....

you want to use wma's then have a nice day

Well gee mister wizard (ment as tounge and cheek humor) don'd delete the Lic files...duh!

I don't have none of those there wma's but plenty-0 m4p's from iTunes.... still not dumb enough to delete my license and smart enough to convert to mp3 anyway....

as for transfering wma to a new machine there is a process for this i'm sure... and it probably involves doing a backup of your music library first.... which saves the dang lic file....

Don't hate cause ya don't understand it... btw DRM is lossing ground anyway just look at Amazon.com and even iTunes is selling non-drm files so is wal-mart..... so your woes are on the way out the door.

thats why I hate with a Passion, as a Techy "NO WMA's"

have a nice day ;)

thats why I hate with a Passion, as a Techy "NO WMA's"

have a nice day ;)


Boy this sure didn't go the direction I hoped :sqrolleyes:

LOL maybe it's a down under thing?

Back to topic...

I don't know of any post production process to improve an mp3s other than EQ's and compression/limiters.... but all those things will have a limited effect on the mp3 if it's crap to begin with.... and your mp3 will only be as good as the original file it was converted from depending on the compression you used on the mp3 itself.... I always rip to 320kbs

If your starting file was only as good as a 128kbs mp3 by comparison... then converting the original file to CDDA then back to mp3 or a straight up format conversion even at 320kbs is still going to only yeild the 128kbs quality.... does that make sense?

In otherwords you can't improve on the original in post production... you can only run temporary EQs to boost or cut the bad or good.

If someone else knows of a process... please chime in because I'd be interested as well.

na its ms thing lol

back to the topic
(i'll chime in later.... as I might have some info regarding this after I have read it all first)