Selecting Recording Options; Mp3 Encode Quality - Yamaha MCX-2000 - MusicCAST Digital Audio Server Setup Manual

Selecting Recording Options

Regardless of its type, such as music CD, radio or external
input, the MCX-2000 records or imports an audio source
using common manners and formats. For optimum
archiving, the MCX-2000 provides two recording options.
n PCM is an uncompressed, raw audio format while MP3 is a
compressed audio format. The MCX-2000 uses a CD-quality, 16-bit/
44.1 kHz stereo PCM format, which creates digital audio data of
about 10 megabytes per minute (1411.2 kbps data rate). Converting
this raw audio into MP3 format, you can dramatically reduce the
amount of data (approximately 1/5 to 1/10) maintaining the sound
quality to some degrees.
1 Select Top Menu > Setup > Recording.
2 Change each parameter value as needed.
1 Type of data stored in Music Archive
Select PCM & MP3 to keep the recorded audio data in both
formats (factory setting), or MP3 Only to keep compressed
audio data only. The former setting keeps two different files per
song, which virtually reduces the number of song you can keep
on the MCX-2000 internal hard drive. The latter setting
automatically deletes the PCM audio data after converting it into
MP3 format, which saves the internal hard drive space. The
MCX-2000 lets you make your original CD that compiles
archived songs, which requires original PCM audio data. So,
you're advised to select the former setting if you intend to create
your own CD.
n When you select to keep MP3 audio data only, it doesn't delete PCM
data for existing archived songs. You can check which song has PCM
data using the Information command from a song list screen's
Submenu (audio format is PCM & MP3). To delete unnecessary PCM
data for an archived song, use the Delete PCM Data command from
the Submenu.
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96

2 MP3 Encode Quality

Select the data rate used for MP3 conversion from 160, 256 or
320 kbps (factory setting: 160 kbps). Theoretically, the larger
data rate is used, the higher sound quality is obtained. In reality,
you should consider type and quality of the original PCM sound.
If you select 320 kbps data rate for, say, a full-volume rock tune
or a pop song with trebly notes and boom bass sounds,
resulting sounds may be heard nearly the same with their 160
kbps versions, or may become noisier than original PCM
versions. Higher data rates are rather suitable for, say, classical
tunes with a wider dynamic range (volume difference between
loudest and quietest sounds) or with ambience or subtle
nuances.
n A higher data rate produces more data per song, which virtually
reduces the number of song you can keep on the MCX-2000 internal
hard drive. (A 320 kbps MP3 song occupies twice as large space on
the hard drive as a 160 kbps version of the same song.) In the System
Information screen, you can confirm 'remaining recording time' based
on the above two parameter settings (page 102). So, you may want
to set temporary values here, confirm available recording time in the
System Information screen, and finally determine suitable values here
again. Otherwise, you can often change the above parameter values
according to audio sources you're going to record.
3 When you select OK, the "Saving..." message is shown.
The MCX-2000 afterward records audio sources as
specified here.