AC3 to MP3 using BeSweet
You'll need the following software for this guide.
BeSweet combines a lot of the best audio encoding programs: azid to decode AC3, ssrc to downsample, WavBooster to augment the volume of the output file, lame to encode to mp3, high quality mp2 encoding, Ogg Vorbis output, etc. The program requires no temp files and operates in floating point mode whenever possible, ensuring quick and high quality conversions. BeSweet also supports various types of inputs, from mp2, mp3 over wav to AC3. As BeSweet is a commandline utility I'm going to illustrate the process using DD's GUI. For the full list of commandline switches refer to the overview.
First of all you have to unzip both BeSweet and the GUI to the same directory. Whenever you are unsure what an option does, just hover over it (the text) with the mouse pointer and you will get a help bubble explaining the option. The guide will lead you through the MP3 encoding process based on an optimized profile. If you prefer to learn what all the options do please refer to the long version of this guide.
Now start up the GUI and click on the BeSweet button on the left of the GUI:
Then select the DSPGuru_mp3@128kbps profile.
If you're doing a 2 CD rip you may want to increase the bitrate to 160kbit/s. In order to do that click on the Lame 1 button on the left (same button area as where you found the BeSweet button), then at the bottom of the left and change the bitrate:
Then press the AC3 to MP3 button and encoding will begin.
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This page was last updated on 06/11/02