Mnemonic Value

Numeric value

Meaning

MP3_ENCODE_PRESETS

0

Encode using the Lame's built-in preset specified inside the EncodeFormats.MP3.Preset property. Those presets are designed to provide the highest possible quality at both Variable Bitrates (VBR) and Constant Bitrate (CBR).

MP3_ENCODE_CBR

1

Encode using the Constant Bitrate (CBR) specified inside the EncodeFormats.MP3.CBR property. In this mode, the bitrate will be the same for the whole file. It means that each part of your mp3 file will be using the same number of bits. The musical passage being a difficult one to encode or an easy one, the encoder will use the same bitrate, so the quality of your mp3 is variable. Complex parts will be of a lower quality than the easiest ones. The main advantage is that the final files size won't change and can be accurately predicted.

MP3_ENCODE_ABR

2

Encode using the Average Bitrate (ABR) specified inside the EncodeFormats.MP3.ABR property. Using this preset will usually give you good quality at a specified bitrate. Depending on the bitrate entered, this preset will determine the optimal settings for that particular situation. While this approach works, it is not nearly as flexible as VBR, and usually will not reach the same quality level as VBR at higher bitrates.

MP3_ENCODE_CUSTOM

3

Encode using the custom string defined inside the EncodeFormats.MP3.CustomString property.