Anyway to remaster mp3s at better quality

[dicecca112]

I have a friends bad recordings on my computer, but the quality is really low around 64kbps 44 khz stereo. Is there anyway to remaster this so it sounds better or can anyone recommend a program?

[Aeon Flux]

Im sorry to say but no. You can add filters to help make the sound be "smoother" but you really won't get better quality. When you encode something to MP3 format your encoder uses a lossy compressions which throws away what it thinks is the un-needed data. When it's compressed and that data is thrown away it is lost forever. You need an original copy and recompress it at a higher bit rate.

[dicecca112]

what I thought, guess they are going to have to re-record to get better quality. oh well thanks. But seriously isn't it an unwritten rule that demos have to be bad quality?

[breez]

Heh, not a good idea to record own music at 64kbps MP3 :D I'd definitely go for lossless (FLAC, Monkey's Audio, shorten, wavpack etc.) or if lossless is not an option because of space problems then Ogg Vorbis or Musepack (or at least good quality MP3 encoded by LAME).

[Aeon Flux]

what I thought, guess they are going to have to re-record to get better quality. oh well thanks. But seriously isn't it an unwritten rule that demos have to be bad quality?

Of course not. You can still get good quality music with a half decent PA amp and a good mic and something to record to tape.

[Randyman...]

what I thought, guess they are going to have to re-record to get better quality. oh well thanks. But seriously isn't it an unwritten rule that demos have to be bad quality?

Only if the band is "bad quality" - Poop in = poop out! Anyone will tell you a "good" band with a good engineer and crappy equipment will sound WAY better than a bad band with a bad engineer on the best equipment!

Even just a mic pre (or external USB box with a Mic pre) and a few mics with a PC's built in sound can do OK in a descent room with a good BALANCED band (it is up to the BAND to get a good relative balance). I prefer individual "tracking" and more seperation for more control at mixdown time...

Later :cool:

[stratcatprowlin]

Anyone will tell you a "good" band with a good engineer and crappy equipment will sound WAY better than a bad band with a bad engineer on the best equipment!

Oh! say that again! All we have to do is turn on the radio to hear that!

[dicecca112]

yeah, I hear you guys. Whoever did it, it just sounds bad. The booth was not sound proof, you hear people talking in the background, the levels are way off, it just is bad.

[Randyman...]

What exactly are you recording - a "one man band" deal with keyboards etc, or a whole band with live drums and all? Just curious. Also, what exactly do you have at your disposal (recording wise)? What mics, what is your "Recorder", does your PC have audio inputs, do you have an external mixer, etc. Maybe we can provide some hints to get the most out of what you have...

Later :cool: