MP3 vs FLAC

Just curious what everybody's take is on sharing MP3's versus a lossless medium like FLAC. I know some people are devout FLAC supporters and that's cool, but we share a ton of MP3's on this board.

In my mind, it seems like there are ALOT of intelligent people on this board (haven't killed too many brain cells with the booze... [img]images/smilies/whistling2.gif[/img]) and I'd love for you guys/gals to weigh in on the subject.

In short, to me, it's all about sharing the music. I love high quality mediums, but sometimes it's just not always convienient...

[SuckaInA3Piece]

For me, I just personally dont have the time to devote to using the Bit Torrent stuff. I've heard people rave about it and everything, but I just dont have the time to sit down and devote to it. MP3's are quick and easy, and yes they may not be the best quality, but it saves a ton of ppl headaches. I know that there aren't a ton of computer savvy ppl on this site, so it's easier for them to just rip an mp3 then it is to use that other stuff. Myself included.

[TopJimmy78]

For me mp3 are great and everything but IMO you shouldn't trade cd sourced from mp3 unless the person you are trading with knows that it is mp3 sourced and is cool with it, you will find in the VH trading community at least that a lot of traders do not like to trade shows that are mp3 sourced, always remember that good comminication is always the key to a good trade, as for FLAC sourced shows, I love em, most of my 04 tour shows are FLAC sourced and for most of em I still have the original FLAC files as well, so I dig bit torrent even though it takes longer to get it is well worth it IMO to get the shows in a lossless format! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

[patt5150]

I am a big fan of the FLAC file format. The sound quality is like night and day when compared to MP3s. I have several shows in both formats and FLAC picks up the high end so much better. But like Sucker said it can be very time consuming and inconvenient at times. However, the majority of the time it is well worth the wait! Viva Van Halen!!! [img]images/smilies/rock.gif[/img]

Here's my take.

I love collecting bootlegs, and music in general. When it comes to sharing, I don't think the audible difference between a lossless .flac or .shn is a big deal. It is much too cumbersome, tedious, and time consuming to constantly worry about lossless formats. MP3 is universal, easy, and damn good in my opinion. By far the most versitile of the audio formats.

Personally, any shows that I have are kept in the highest possible audio format. I will routinely replace a boot that I acquired in MP3 with a lossless version that I ran into. Even if you couldn't hear a difference, I would do it for my own personal satisfaction.

As for the audible difference... I definately hear a difference between lossless formats and standard mp3 bitrates (128 or 192). However, if you want a true comparison, look at the full Denver show I sent to you. I downloaded that in lossless format... digital recorder=>WAV=>FLAC. I then converted them to MP3, but rather than using the lower bitrates that we usually have to (to keep file size down), I sent it to you at 256 bitrate. You, yourself said that the quality of those files I sent to you was fantastic... And that only came from doubling the bitrate that you are used to. Imagine taking that 2 or 3 steps further.

Pain in the ass - Yes [img]images/smilies/icon_cry.gif[/img]
Can you hear a difference - Yes [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Is it practical - Sometimes [img]images/smilies/icon_rant.gif[/img]
Is it worth it - Oh yeah. [img]images/smilies/music487.gif[/img] I'm happy if I find a recording where I can hear Ed fart a little clearer that in the copy I have... Gimme a nice clean song, and I don't know what to do with myself.

NEway... that's my $.02 for what it's worth.

[sinners swing]

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evh51501008 said:
I'm happy if I find a recording where I can hear Ed fart a little clearer that in the copy I have... [/i][/b]

[/ QUOTE ]

lol. Rumor has it he's also a virtuoso farter. He originally wrote Eruption that way then brought it over to guitar.

[img]images/smilies/icon_dance.gif[/img]

[SteveS235]

FLAC is superior than mp3. I have the Worcester show and Kiss in Melbourne in FLAC, and the quality is awesome. The Worcester show I posted is at 128kbps and still sounds pretty good. FLAC is usually somewhere around 928kbps and up!

Like everyone else noted the speed is horrible. Even on cable internet, it took me about 6 to 8 hours total to get each show.

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sinners_swing_69 said:
[ QUOTE ]
evh51501008 said:
I'm happy if I find a recording where I can hear Ed fart a little clearer that in the copy I have... [/i][/b]

[/ QUOTE ]

lol. Rumor has it he's also a virtuoso farter. He originally wrote Eruption that way then brought it over to guitar.

[img]images/smilies/icon_dance.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

LMFAO! Now, THAT would be something to hear [img]images/smilies/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Thanks for weighing in on the subject guys. I see the debate going on around the web and just wanted to get some of your thoughts. Thanks guys! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

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Strawberry said:
Thanks for weighing in on the subject guys. I see the debate going on around the web and just wanted to get some of your thoughts. Thanks guys! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

That's fine, I'll humor you. It's not very often that people REQUEST my thoughts! Normally they just have to deal with them agains their will. [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]

[TopJimmy78]

[ QUOTE ]
evh51501008 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Strawberry said:
Thanks for weighing in on the subject guys. I see the debate going on around the web and just wanted to get some of your thoughts. Thanks guys! [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

That's fine, I'll humor you. It's not very often that people REQUEST my thoughts! Normally they just have to deal with them agains their will. [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]


LOL [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]