Bad quality in audio CD when using mp3s as source

[iparout]

Hi.

I have just compiled a new audio CD using mp3 files as source. I used Nero 5.5.5.1 to burn the CD and the tracks were added by dragging & dropping the mp3 files into Nero.

However I have noticed that the audio quality of the CD is not good (the sound is not crisp and clear and it sounds like there's too much bass in it).

Could this be because the Nero plugin which converts mp3 to audio files is not good ?

In the past, I created my audio CDs by decoding the mp3 to WAV using WinAmp and then drag & drop the WAV files (not the mp3s) into Nero. The sound quality was much better but I was usig another brand of CD media back then, so I can't compare directly.

So before I go wasting more CDs, can you please tell me which is the best way (qualitywise) to create an audio CD using mp3 files as source ?

To what it's worth, I am using That's Professional 80 min CDs, which are supposed to be top notch...

Thanks in advance for any help.

[The Link]

I think decoding your mp3s with mad should give you much better quality. You can easily use mad with burnatonce for example (http://www.burnatonce.com/) to make audiocds. Just a suggestion, perhaps there are even better ones.

The Link

[pacohaas]

yup, MAD is the best decoder out there. but I can't imagine a program that is that horrible at decoding mp3's...perhaps these mp3's were not encoded with the same quality as your old ones. so, try MAD, or even lame --decode and see if this helps...if not, your mp3's are just not up to par and you're not gonna be able to get better quality out of them.

[DJ Bobo]

I made many Audio-CDs from MP3 files using Nero and not a single CD had worse quality than the MP3s. It's all the same.
I don't see why I should bother converting to WAV in another program instead of directly burning in Nero.
As said, never got problems, always used Nero.
So may be it's the bad quality CD-R. Just try with another HQ CD-R and see what happens (it's more probably that it is the CD than Nero, but well, may be I'm wrong here)

[DSPguru]

Originally posted by DJ Bobo
So may be it's the bad quality CD-R. Just try with another HQ CD-R and see what happens (it's more probably that it is the CD than Nero, but well, may be I'm wrong here) bobo, come on man...

iparout tells you he can hear the difference!
i'm already familier with your approach of quality and paied your attention in the past that your advices are simply bad advices for ppl who has good ears.
in most cases i don't comment on your suggestions (it's a free board, after all :)), but you can't come here and tell a person that can hear quality degregation and tell him he's wrong.

i bet he's right.

[DJ Bobo]

@ DSPguru
My devices are very good, every one that comes to my room loves my stereo system and enjoys listening to it! :D

And I *never* said he's wrong! don't know how you come to that conclusion! :confused:

[kheops]

hi,

DSPguru didn't talk about bad "devices" but bad "advices".

For sure decoding your mp3 to wav before burning is better since you just can't be sure how the decoder within your burning software will manage this mp3, it's too stupid to get a coaster just because your mp3 has many broken frames or something.

I'm not an expert, DSPguru is.

+++

[lat3ralis]

@iparout:

Maybe you have one of Nero's audio filters enabled ....

Before you burn your audio cd in Nero, try right-clicking on one of the tracks in the audio cd layout and check out filters tab in the properties of the track. Make sure all the filters are unchecked and try burning again.

Hope that helps,

lat3ralis

[Tux]

Hi

I even think that you can heare differences between CD's made with different burn programms. Sometimes it can happen, mostly in old CD-Players, that the CD would not read. Years ago I had such a problem with my first CD changer in my car. After many trys with, at this time very expensive CD-R's, I found a programm called !Feurio. This programm only can burn audio CD's. But you can do absolutly anything possible! It helped my because I was able to set the time for the spaces between the tracks a little higher. And now it works!
The programm is still under development by an german author. It is even available in much other languages too. I think it made very good sounding CD's of MP3's, depending on the source, of course. ;)
And certainly other tools like cover editor, CD database and many other things are in the programm too. One of my favorit tools is the track editor. It have a function zu equalize the volume for the whole CD on the fly.
You can download a full functional shareware version here: http://www.feurio.net/ There are no restrictions. Only some shareware notes will be shown.
Try this out. I'm concerned with your opinion! :D

Ciao,

Tux

[pacohaas]

if we're advertising and advocating programs here, i believe EAC (http://www.exactaudiocopy.de) now supports burning.

[Tux]

Hi pacohaas!

In difference to our last disagreement this tool can be used for free! ;) Presupposed you don't feel bothered from 1 or 2 shareware notes. :)
But I'm concerned realy with your opinion! I have not enough time to test tons of software. If there is an other good software, I will be pleased for every hint!

Tux

[snowbeach]

Hi guys! I use always EAC and I have never experienced any problems (since now :) )! Probably the best prog available for audio grabbing!
EAC supports CD write only for some drives! Check it out!

Greets!