3 ways to change bitrate on MP3 files

Posted on June 3, 2009 at 5:23 am

Want to change the bitrate on your MP3 files? Previously, I wrote about how you could normalize the audio level of your audio files using a free program called MP3Gain, which will change the bitrate for all files to match.

Though it’s a good program, there may be times when you need more control over the audio level. Luckily, there are several free programs that you can use to rip, convert, and encode your audio with.

CDex

Not only can you use CDex to convert your compact disc collection into an MP3 collection, you can also use it to convert audio between formats. Or you can leave it in the same format and simply change the bitrate. It’s a great program for MP3 encoding.

BeSweet

Basically, BeSweet is an audio transcoding tool. If you work with a lot of video files, you can use it to convert AC3 to MP2, AC3 to MP3, MP3 to AC3, and lots more. You can also just change the sampling rate or the gain to whatever you want.

Click on the Downcovert Sample Rate and you can choose the exact bitrate that you want for the MP3, AC3, or WAV file. You can use it to adjust audio to match a different video framerate if needed.

The GUI is a bit confusing and not super easy to follow, but if you play around with it enough, you can get the job done.

dBpowerAMP Music Converter

Though this program is not free, it has a lot of useful features, such as shell integration so you can convert files quickly directly from Explorer. You also edit MP3 tags, normalize MP3 files, rip CDs, batch convert files, and lots more.

At the top, you can adjust the Variable Bit Rate quality, the Bit Rate (ABR) or the Bit Rate (CBR). This program is also more up-to-date, using modern encoders, etc.

So if you need a program to change the bitrate on a file, check these three out. You can also use them for lots more! Enjoy!

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