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Initial settings
From menu tree (on the left) choose Advanced->Tools->Converter. In the Additional
command-line encoder paths field specify full paths to the folders with encoders' executable
files (exe), separated with semicolons.
Notes:
- foobar2000 can add more paths itself when you manually specify path to the encoder file
(see
below);
- player uses subfolder foobar2000/encoders as default encoders' exe files path, so there is no
need
to
specify
this
folder;
- also you can write the relative path to encoder's exe directly to the foobar2000 encoder
settings (see below).
Right-click on the any track from foobar2000 playlist or medialibrary and choose Convert>Convert...
You'll see the window with four links to the four settings groups. Let's take up them in
order.
Here we see the list of encoders profiles. Notice the bit depth and dither settings (for
lossless encoders only):
Output bit depth bit depth for input file decoding: Auto, 8/16/24 (fixed point) or 32
bits (floating point). Recommended value is Auto, but note that then for sources, considered
as lossy, 16-bit decoding will be used.
Dither use dithering + noise shaping: never, lossy sources only, always. Using of this
technology is recommended only if source bit depth is greater than output bit depth will be, in
other cases set never.
For clarity let's create new profile using Add New button.
You will see the windows with encoder settings. Initially the converter suggests you to use
standard settings dialog with quality slider (from VRB V9 to CBR 320). For detailed settings
choose Custom from the drop-down list.
Encoder here you can set parameters which directly affect the encoding process.
Choose Custom on the top of the window and specify following settings:
Encoder specify path to the encoder executable file. You can specify full path using
... button. Also you can set the path relatively to foobar2000.exe, for
example: ./encoders/lame.exe. The easiest way is to specify just encoder file name (for
LAME it's generallylame.exe), but this will work only if file is located in one of the folders
specified before or in the default folder ./encoders/ (see item 1).
Extension output files extension. Type mp3
Parameters parameters that will be sent to the encoder. For best quality type:
Bit Depth Control parameters which determine codec type and bit depth
supported by it.
Format is codec type. Can be lossy or lossless/hybrid. Option affects the format of data
which are sent to the encoder. For lossy bitstream will have highest depth (next parameter),
for lossless converter keeps value set on previous page (Output bit depth, see above). For
LAME we have to set lossy.
Highest BPS mode supported maximum bit depth supported by the encoder for input
data. Can be 8, 16, 24 (fixed point) or 32 bits (floating point). Since LAME supports floatingpoint data, we have to set 32 bits.
Display Info settings of information that will be displayed in the profile name. Do
not affect encoding process.
Encoder name specify MP3 (LAME)
Bitrate (kbps) for current settings it is 320 kbps
Settings describe parameters of encoding you have used, at your will. We'll specify
only important keys: -b 320 -q 0
Now we can see our profile MP3 (LAME) 320 kbps -b 320 -q 0 in the list.
Press Back button and let's pass on to next settings group.
2.3 Processing
Here you can specify the settings of audio stream processing before it is sent to the
encoder.
Enable decode postprocessing this option is available only if you have foo_dts
and/or foo_hdcd components installed. It enables DTS/HDCD decoders which causes
irreversible conversion of source PCM stream (for example, to 5.1 format for DRS CD or to 24bit audio for HDCD). For lossy encoding it is recommended to have postprocessing enabled.
ReplayGain you can use RG if the source file has RG metadata, but note that enabling
it for lossless sources is not recommended (while for lossy it can be used to prevent clipping).
DSP enable ability of using DSP effects. Do not enable it without necessity.
DSP chain presets you can save your DSP chain presets and then load them when it's
needed.
Don't reset DSP between tracks do not restart processing for each track it's
necessary for crossfading (mixing ending of previous track and beginning of the next), etc.
Preview generation you will get short cuts instead of full tracks:
Length percentage specify cuts length in percentage of the source track (from 3 to
30%).
Fixed track length specify fixed cuts' length.
Now go back to the converter's main window. Press Save button to save the preset and
enter it's name LAME MP3, 320 kbps. After pressing Convert button conversion will start.
You can press Cancel to quit.
Now you can convert tracks by marking them in playlist/medialibrary and pressing rightclick->Convert->LAME MP3, 320 kbps.