[quote="PGR"]It shows [b]VBR: No[/b] in the Details tab.

So my conclusion is that I was using VBR before, but the file properties don't show it.

Pete[/quote]
Maybe that only applies to mp3 files? Hard to say.

I think I answered my own question with some trial and error. I was able to get the same bitrates and file sizes as I was originally getting by selecting Variable Bitrate (VBR) instead of Average Bitrate ABR). But it's interesting to note that when I right-click the resulting output file in MM and select Properties, It shows [b]VBR: No[/b] in the Details tab.

So my conclusion is that I was using VBR before, but the file properties don't show it.

Pete

[quote="PGR"]Settings:
Average bitrate (ABR)
Mid/Side stereo [b]not[/b] checked
Average bitrate: 152kbps. (which is as high as the setting will go)

Pete[/quote]
No idea. I'm not sure why you want to use average bitrate though, variable bitrate is considered better quality-wise.

Settings:
Average bitrate (ABR)
Mid/Side stereo [b]not[/b] checked
Average bitrate: 152kbps. (which is as high as the setting will go)

Pete

What Quality setting did you set the m4a encoder to?

Nobody? Is this question in the wrong forum or something?

Pete

About a year ago I ripped my entire CD library into the .m4a format with an earlier version of MM and AAC/M4A Encoder/Decoder v.1.0.5. I recently did a complete uninstall of the old version and reinstalled [b]MM v.3.2.0.1294 and AAC/M4A Encoder / Decoder v.1.0.6[/b] after MM quit working after an iTunes update. I should add that I'm a Gold Lifetime user and the Encoder/Decoder is paid for and unlocked.

Tonight I tried to rip another CD with the new MM installation and everything seemed to work OK except one thing: Per the Details tab of the Properties screen, the bitrate for all the song files in my library is between 200 and 250 kbps (VBR: No) but I can't duplicate that with the new installation. The most I can get is 152 kbps and there doesn't appear to be any way to exceed that setting.

This is a little awkward because not only can't I tell you what the old version of MM was (current about 1 year ago), but I'm not real sure what settings I used to rip the library back then. I'm real happy with the quality of the files, though, and I'd like to duplicate what I was doing before. If anyone can help me understand what's going on or what I'm doing wrong I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Pete