A question about music file formats?

Question

Ok.... so i have some music files in m4a(whose bitrate reads 262kbps) which i converted to 320kbps mp3s which resulted into the file size increasing by 1 or 2 mb. What i want to know is how can the size increase? I thought m4a was a lossy format, wasn't it? And which file i should keep if i have no problem with the increased file size? Or is my converted file not actually a 320kbps mp3 and the converter i downloaded for free just added some rubbish to the file so that it would read 320kbps? Plz help.

Answer 1

First off I recommend using Any Audio Converter for all of your audio converting needs.



M4A can be either lossless (Apple Lossless format, similar to FLAC and Shorten), or lossy.



If you convert a small bit rate into a larger bit rate, that isn't going to increase the quality. You can't take "bad" sounding audio and convert it to give it a better sound. You can't give it something you don't have.



Depending on the player you use, it might not be able to read the format of audio you have. For example, iTunes can't read FLAC.



I've always stuck with 320 kbps Mp3 CBR. Average song size is roughly 8 megs and has really good quality.

Answer 2

Bitrate is an indicator of how much data is used in a given amount of time...basically, get 2 songs with a the same bitrate but one is twice as long, the longer one will be twice the size. Get 2 with the same length, but one with half the bitrate, and it will be half the size.



The more data is used, the higher quality the file. By converting from m4a 262 to MP3 320, you converted to a larger file.



Keep the m4a. Firstly, upconverting a bitrate is bad for quality - it is creating data that is not there. It is like doubling the resolution of a jpeg - it won't be as crisp. It's larger, but no higher quality. Also, converting between lossy formats isn't good either - each music format uses different psychacoustic models. These models determine what is removed - stuff that is supposedly less noticable to human hearing should it be missing. By converting an m4a to an mp3, you have applied both those psychoacoustic models, removing more of the data than just using one.



Upconverting bitrate, converting between lossy formats, or converting from lossy to lossless, are all degrading the song more than is necessary. The only truly "proper" (if they can be called that) audio conversions are within the same format to a lower bitrate (from the best source available - still not as high as a lossless or the source audio), or converting from lossy to lossless. Something along the lines of mp3 320 to mp3 128 or FLAC to mp3. Converting from m4a 262 to mp3 320 takes up more memory, for less quality. It is not a proper conversion, by any means, and I would recommend keeping the m4a files. Just because the file is 320 - does not mean the quality is. It's like upscaling from standard to HD - yeah, the 1080p resolution is there - but the quality is not.

Answer 3

320 kbps is very good..

If your useing a Lossless file--compare it to a .wav file..

Default is 128-kbps..

I don't use below 192-kbps..if I really need to compress..I'll go 160-kbps../

Simple sound files like an answering machine--I'll use 64 kbps/or the default=128-kbps../

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I use WMA-lossless most times..

But also a .wav file because my sound editor runs faster with .wav../

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For sound editing the MP3 File now have been eliminated--unless you make a purchase--too use them../

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So its .wav or wma/

...for editing..

Though my audio converter will supply me MP3.