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The graphs below represent a comparison of two
popular MP3 encoders, SoundJam
from Casady & Greene and N2MP3
from Proterion. For our tests we used our trusty Power Mac
9500 with an XLR8
G3/400 Carrier upgrade installed. The CD drive was the
standard Matshita 8x that came with this machine. With the
exception of our "File Size" tests, we left the
bit rate setting at 128kbps. This represents a happy compromise
between file size and sound quality. For our tests we chose
an average length track and a rather long track off two separate
CD's. For both cuts we tested the time to encode to the MP3
format as well as the time to "Rip" the file uncompressed
as an AIFF file. All times are in seconds with lower numbers
being more desirable of course. Bear in mind that SoundJam
has been optimized for the G4's
Altivec/Velocity Engine instruction set. G4 owners should
expect significant reductions in encode times over the scores
below...
For these first two tests, we chose a set of
polkas from John
Whelan's excellent "Flirting
With the Edge" CD. This track was 4:07 minutes long.
Lower numbers and shorter bars are better.
For the next two tests we chose a 24:01 minute
track off Anthony Phillip's "Slow Dance" CD. Again,
lower numbers and shorter bars are better
For this last test we encoded the same track
with several different bit rate settings. As I mentioned at
the beginning of this page, 128kbps is a happy medium between
sound quality and file size. I was quite content with the
files I sampled at 128kbps...until I heard the same tracks
at 256kbps! Fortunately, both programs let you choose a bit
rate between 32kbps and 320kbps so you can find your own happy
balance.
Conclusions: SoundJam, in varying degrees, lagged behind N2MP3
in every test. If speed is your main consideration, go with
N2MP3. Bear in mind however, that N2MP3 is strictly an encoder
and requires a separate application for playback. I found
SoundJam to be more intuitive to use and appreciated its included
player which sports a 10 band equalizer. Demos are available
for both applications so give them a try.
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