Re-encoding mp3 files
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  1. #1
    Tech Wizard
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    Default Re-encoding mp3 files

    Hi all,

    I have a serious issue with an old music library that I use. It's about 25gigs in size and for some reason in the last while, every track in Serato DJ is coming up as corrupt. The tracks play fine about 90% of the time, but that other 10% it causes a dropout of a few seconds. I ran it by Serato help, and they did what I had already done, and used iTunes to re-encode. The issue with that is iTunes changes the file names (applies the Apple naming convention, putting the files in a folder (artist name) and then the file (track name) within.) When you search for a file using finder, you'll then only find the track name and not the artist name bla bla bla.

    Basically, I want to re-encode folders of tracks at a time without changing the filename at all so that I can perform a recover tracks, and serato with find the new tracks as replacements since they will be the exact same name.

    I hope this makes sense. I have no way of getting new collections as these were inherited over the last 10yrs and sifting throughout them to find the ones that I actually use, and repurchasing them, would take for ever.

    Thx

  2. #2
    Tech Guru
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    You didn't mention Win -v- Mac.

    On Windows, MediaMonkey would be my go-to tool for this kind of work. On Mac I do not have a good recommendation.
    Denon X1600, NI X1 Mk1 & Mk2, MF Twister
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  3. #3
    Tech Wizard
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    I'm sorry, yes I'm on a Mac, but I suppose I could transfer all the corrupt files to a PC, run the process, and then copy back??

  4. #4
    Tech Guru
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    Re-encoding is a terrible idea.

    If its an old library the files are probably not 320k mp3, and even if they are then re-encoding them is just going to degrade the sound further.

    Rebuy them, support the artists.
    Last edited by ImNoDJ; 05-28-2015 at 06:46 PM.

  5. #5
    Tech Mentor Nick V's Avatar
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    There should be a "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" checkbox somewhere in iTunes. If you uncheck that iTunes won't change the file name.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by imnodj View Post
    re-encoding is a terrible idea.

    If its an old library the files are probably not 320k mp3, and even if they are then re-encoding them is just going to degrade the sound further.

    Rebuy them, support the artists.
    this.

  7. #7
    Tech Guru
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    Default

    As a one-time "Get out of hell free" card, re-encoding is not the worst option. It would never be my "Plan A." This is referred to as "transcoding" and it does introduce errors into the re-encoded mp3. This mostly manifests as a slightly increased noise floor. Re-encoding once or twice is not a big deal (but should still be avoided when possible).

    Be sure that this will actually resolve the issue by testing with a COPY of a couple directories worth of songs you know to be corrupt now. Then...once you have a working collection....BACK IT UP!!!!

    Longer term, I'd report the !@#$ out of this to Serato and find out how tracks get into this state and the avoid doing that ever again.
    Denon X1600, NI X1 Mk1 & Mk2, MF Twister
    Kontrol S2, Maschine Mk1, APC 40
    Retired: VCI-100 Arcade (Signed #198/300))
    BFM 10x DR200 & 10x Titan 39

  8. #8
    Tech Convert
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    I found this link in my never-ending search for a solution to the "flushing background tasks" error in Traktor, it claims to repair mp3 files:

    http://triq.net/mp3sar (Mac only)

    I have no idea if it will work for you, if it works at all. It's free, so it might worth a try anyway. I'll be running some tests in the near future, I'm really hoping it works and eliminates that damn Traktor errror.

  9. #9
    Tech Mentor
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    I've suggested this several times on different forums, it's a great & legal way of "laundering" your old low quality tracks.

    Subscribe to iTunes match. Upload your old low bitrate library, then download matched 256 kbps AAC versions.
    Cheers

    IAN WILLIAMS

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