Shaving seconds off MP3s?
 

I was wondering if anyone knew of a quick way to shave seconds (either at the end or start of a track, depending) off of a mp3 without taking a hit in quality?

In times past, when I needed to do this either by request or for a project, I have often just done so with Soundforge... although I would wager that I have been losing quality on the files when doing it this way.

There's no possible way to edit mp3s (or any lossy format) without losing quality. So, in your case, I would convert the mp3 to a WAV (or a lossless format), edit it, and then convert it back into an mp3. You still lose quality, though.

I'd recommend Mp3DirectCut. Quick, easy, and directly cuts the mp3.

I just felt like pointing out that WAV itself is a lossless format. Everything you said is completely true, however.

Ary, that is a mistake I could have made myself.
I am quite sure he meant to say "or any lossless format".

That's just plain wrong and I'm irritated by Arainach even supporting this false conclusion.

As LiveTendiser correctly pointed out, MP3DirectCut allows you to edit any MP3 directly, without the need to re-encode the file and losing quality. It's easy to use and works like a charm.

Wow, really? I gotta try it out and see for myself then...

Awesome, thanks for the link! You are a life saver!

Quick question that's almost on topic: does encoding a file multiple times at the same bitrate with the same codec degrade it's quality each time?

Yes it does. It encodes the file to the best of it's ability, and therefore loses a little bit here and there. Just because it preserved something last time, doesn't mean that it won't drop it this time. It's unfortunate.

Well it's my understanding that if you encoded two full quality identical songs, you should get the same encoded song because they use an algorithmic process. I didn't think it was random.

That's true, if you use the same source it'll be the same each time. The source is not the same with a re-endoding process.

I assumed you meant encoding a song, then re-encoding the song with the same codec. This loses information because the source is no longer as whole as the original was. It then compresses this already compressed file again, and loses a bit more quality. Each time the file is re-encoded you'll lose something.

OK thanks, that was my question.

I used "WavePad" to cut out things. Worked perfectly ever time I used it. I also use it to make custom ringtones...but that's just me. Anyway, I haven't used anything else but it's pretty easy to use.