MP3 and FLAC Audio Formats – We Use It Wisely
In this post, I want to talk about how to get the best results when compressing music in FLAC and MP3 formats. In the age of mass distribution of audio and video streaming services, this topic may seem of little relevance, however, as practice shows, this is not the case.
First, not everyone wants to depend on third-party resources, which can behave as they please at any time, from the introduction of various access restrictions to content to its complete removal. Second, there are many places in the world where the Internet is slow, dreary, and with lunch breaks. Third, the sound quality when listening online is usually quite acceptable for most users, but it can plunge sophisticated listeners with good equipment into depression. Considering all the above, we can assume
Basic concepts
PCM (pulse code modulation), also known as PCM (pulse code modulation) is a method of representing an analog signal in digital form. It works like this: electrical vibrations are fed into the input of a device called the ADC (analog to digital converter), which is an analog audio signal. The ADC measures the level of this signal with a certain frequency and transmits the obtained values to the outside, where they are stored. Thus, a data matrix is formed, which is a sequence of values of the amplitude of the original signal. The process described is called “digitization”. The main problem with storing PCM data in “naked” form is its rather large volume, therefore, for a more rational use of space on the carrier, various digital audio compression algorithms are used.
Encoder (or “encoder” from English “encoder”) is a software designed to convert WAV to any other format in order to reduce the amount of stored data.
Decoder – Software or hardware used to play files compressed in the appropriate format or convert them to uncompressed format.
Lossy is the generic name for a family of audio formats that use lossy data compression. Typical members of the family are MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg Vorbis. The main characteristic of lossy formats is that when the material is compressed in any of them, a significant part of the original audio information is irretrievably lost and cannot be restored later in any way. Because of this, a high degree of compression is achieved, while the loss is barely perceptible or generally invisible to the ear, as only data that is not critical to human perception is discarded.
Lossless is the generic name for a family of audio formats that use lossless data compression. Typical family members: FLAC, Monkey’s Audio (APE), ALAC, WavPack. Unlike lossy formats, here no information is lost during compression, everything happens in the same way as in normal filing cabinets. Paying for complete data security is significantly lower compression ratio compared to loss.
MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3) is historically the first and most widespread lossy compression format. Despite the fact that, due to the era of MP3, today it does not shine with the efficiency of compression, its popularity remains very high due to its versatility: any plate can reproduce this format. At the same time, if a suitable encoder and decoder are used, the MP3 sound quality is at a very decent level. The combination of these two factors justifies the use of the format today. The MP3 compression ratio while maintaining high sound quality is 6 to 9 times. The average bit rate of such an MP3 with 16-bit / 44.1 kHz stereo parameters is 150 to 240 kbps, the file size of a five-minute recording in this form is 6 to 9 MB.
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is currently the most popular lossless audio compression format. If lossless support is claimed for any software or equipment, this software / equipment can almost certainly play FLAC. The format is the de facto standard among lovers of quality sound. The FLAC compression ratio is 1.3-2.8 times. FLAC bitrate with parameters 16 bit / 44.1 kHz / stereo – 500-1100 kbps, the file size of a five minute recording in this form is 18-40 MB.
