twilightsong:
When exporting audio to an mp3 file, you are presented with the choice in the dialogue to either set the sample rate, or choose “High Quality Mode.” The manual says little about this, except: "this can yield better results depending on your settings." WTF does THAT mean? What settings?
I ask because I exported a song where I had the mix where I wanted it (or at least wanted it for the time being – NO mix is ever really “final” – right?) and I chose “High Quality Mode” because of course who wouldn’t want the highest quality possible? But when I played it back, the vocal was murky and decidedly farther back in the mix. So, I went back in and made sure I hadn’t missed anything – but this time exported using a sample rate (44.1kHz) and leaving the “High Quality Mode” box unchecked. This time the export sounded like I had originally mixed it (give or take – I always use the maximum 320kps rate, although I swear it often does not sound the same as when I was mixing it in Cubase).
I’ve wondered about the same thing but I can’t find any answers. I thought it was possibly a VBR switch but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I can export a 24/48 wav as a 320kbps mp3 in both HQ and non-HQ mode, and they null perfectly. They are exactly the same file.