Score:0

Ubuntu

K3b CD ripping - can't change LAME settings

Bill Barnett

4/6/23, 5:02 AM

I'm trying to rip a CD to mp3 with VBR setting V0. In an earlier version of K3b, you could configure the LAME command string. But in version 19.12.3, that has been replaced with a screen in the LAME configuration settings with entries for maximum, average, and minimum bitrates:

However, no matter what I specify here (and I do have Variable Bitrate selected), the media properties of the ripped mp3 file show:

Encoding settings -m j -V 4 -q 0 -lowpass 17.5 --vbr-new -b -32

And the bitrate is around 160. So it's always ripping at V4, but I want V0. I've tried changing the minimum and average bitrate entries, but to no avail. How can I get K3b to rip at V0?

(Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS)

119

0 + 0

mp3

lame

cd-ripping

k3b

andrew.46

4/6/23, 9:01 AM

I have not tested this but if instead of looking at 'K3B Lame mp3 Encoder' you look at 'K3B External Audio Encoder' you will be able to pass any command line you want to lame...

Bill Barnett

4/6/23, 11:05 PM

Thank you, that is what I wanted. However, "K3b External Audio Encoder" only has an entry for FLAC, none for mp3. I have tried adding an entry for mp3 with the LAME command string--which adds a second mp3 selection to the filetype dropdown in CD Ripping--but ripping fails with the error message "Invalid command: the command is empty." It is not connecting with K3b's implementation of Lame.

andrew.46

4/7/23, 5:37 AM

Almost there :). My copy of K3b (under Slackware I confess) has the following commadline in that section for mp3: `lame -r --bitwidth 16 --little-endian -s 44.1 -h --tt %t --ta %a --tl %m --ty %y --tc %c --tn %n - %f`. Make sure you have lame installed as well. Modify this command would be my advice to suit your needs...

andrew.46

4/7/23, 5:40 AM

I have placed screenshot of the options filled in here: https://www.andrews-corner.org/tmp/k3b.png

Bill Barnett

4/7/23, 11:50 AM

I can add an entry with those exact values, but I still get the "command is empty" error. Could you paste in the [K3bExternalEncoderPlugin] entry from the config file? Mine is located at /home/[username]/.config/k3brc and currently has: [K3bExternalEncoderPlugin] command_Flac=Flac,flac,flac -V -o %f --force-raw-format --endian=little --channels=2 --sample-rate=44100 --sign=signed --bps=16 -T ARTIST=%a -T TITLE=%t -T TRACKNUMBER=%n -T DATE=%y -T ALBUM=%m - commands=Flac

andrew.46

4/8/23, 3:19 AM

Looks like you are missing the mp3 section that I see in mine: `[K3bExternalEncoderPlugin] command_Flac=Flac,flac,flac -V -o %f --force-raw-format --endian=little --channels=2 --sample-rate=44100 --sign=signed --bps=16 -T ARTIST=%a -T TITLE=%t -T TRACKNUMBER=%n -T DATE=%y -T ALBUM=%m - command_Mp3 (Lame)=Mp3 (Lame),mp3,lame -r --bitwidth 16 --little-endian -s 44.1 -h --tt %t --ta %a --tl %m --ty %y --tc %c --tn %n - %f commands=Flac,Mp3 (Lame)`. And you do have `lame` installed?

andrew.46

4/8/23, 3:20 AM

Proper formatting demonstrated here: https://pastebin.com/wRcV2dWJ

Bill Barnett

4/13/23, 4:07 PM

Aha, thanks for that! Adding the mp3 entry to [K3bExternalEncoderPlugin] fixed my problem and I was able to designate VBR 0. (Oddly, the Encoding settings entry in a ripped file's media info is "-m j -V 4 -q 2 -lowpass 20.5 --abr" indicating VBR 4, but the Overall bit rate is 287, definitely VBR 0.)

andrew.46

4/13/23, 10:21 PM

That is great news! I have added a formal 'Answer' with all the information and if you are completely happy with it could you upvote and 'Accept' it? And have a great day :)

Score:0

Ubuntu

andrew.46

4/13/23, 10:19 PM

Changing the command line settings for LAME can be achieved under a modern version version of K3b as follows:

After installing LAME:

sudo apt-get install lame

go to the appropriate K3b menu:

Settings --> Configure K3b --> Plugins

From here select 'K3b External Audio Encoder' and select the 'Configure' option (at the right where there is a 'Configure' and an 'About' option). Now either add or modify an MP3 encoder to look something like the following:

And then you should be right to go! The settings shown here are actually the defaults from my Slackware system but -V 0 or perhaps better: --preset extreme can easily be substituted.

Another option is to simply add the same options in $HOME/.config/k3brc where they will look something like the following (again as seen on my own system):

[K3bExternalEncoderPlugin]
command_Flac=Flac,flac,flac -V -o %f --force-raw-format --endian=little --channels=2 --sample-rate=44100 --sign=signed --bps=16 -T ARTIST=%a -T TITLE=%t -T TRACKNUMBER=%n -T DATE=%y -T ALBUM=%m -
command_Mp3 (Lame)=Mp3 (Lame),mp3,lame -r --bitwidth 16 --little-endian -s 44.1 -h --tt %t --ta %a --tl %m --ty %y --tc %c --tn %n - %f
commands=Flac,Mp3 (Lame)

And then all that is required is to experiment with your LAME options until you find the best ones for your playback equipment and your listening tastes :).

0 + 0

Elon Musk

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

EN: K3b CD ripping - can't change LAME settings

TH: การริปซีดี K3b - ไม่สามารถเปลี่ยนการตั้งค่า LAME

RO: Extragerea CD-ului K3b - nu se pot modifica setările LAME

RU: Копирование компакт-диска K3b - невозможно изменить настройки LAME

VI: Trích xuất CD K3b - không thể thay đổi cài đặt LAME

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