Choosing Audio Bitrate Settings

  • Updated on May 1, 2024
  • Published on Apr 22, 2024
  • 5 minute(s) read
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Note: This article does not apply to podcasting.

You select the bitrate/codec you wish to use for on-demand and live-streaming as part of your initial setup with Triton Digital, in consultation with your Triton Digital Client Success Manager, Project Manager, or Solutions Specialist. If you want to change the bitrate or codec, please contact Customer Support.

When deciding what bitrates to use for audio streaming with Triton Digital, there is there is no “one size fits all” answer. Your choice depends on how you want to balance audio quality with bandwidth expense.

Triton Digital supports a fixed list of presets for the audio codec/bitrate/sample rate settings. The list is available at the bottom of this article.

Audio Quality

There are three factors that determine audio quality in the Triton Streaming Console:

  • Encoding format (AAC or MP3)

  • Bitrate in kbps (kilobits per second)

  • Sample rate in kHz (kilohertz)

Encoding Format

In general, you get better sound quality from AAC than from MP3 at equivalent bitrates, but at the higher bitrates and sample rates it takes a trained ear to really hear the difference. AAC support is fully adopted in contemporary listening devices, so Triton Digital recommends using AAC unless you know you must support some legacy players that require MP3.

Bitrate

For music, 64 (AAC)/96 (MP3) kbps is a good general-purpose setting that will sound good most listeners. This is the standard bitrate for podcasts, for example, and it sounds great on most contemporary devices, including smart speakers and mobile devices. If bandwidth cost is a concern, you might consider using a lower setting. For enhanced listening, go higher.

For talk, 32 (AAC)/64 (MP3) kbps is a good standard setting for most purposes.

Note that if you are using Station Manager you have the option of using an adaptive bitrate mount for AAC, which changes the bitrate according to the listener’s connection quality. There are three adaptive bitrate options (Enhanced, Standard, Economy), each of which provides three connection-dependent bitrate levels. For more information, speak with your Triton Digital Client Success Manager.

Important: variable bitrate (VBR) MP3 files are not supported; use constant bitrate (CBR) MP3 files.

Sample Rate

Sample rate is similar to bitrate in that the higher numbers generally produce better sound. Triton Digital typically uses 44.1kHz stereo as the standard sample rate, and also offers 48 kHz.

Important: be sure to match the sample rate you set in the Streaming Console with the sample rate of your source audio. A mismatch requires re-sampling and can cause a loss of audio quality, even if the re-sampling is to a higher rate. (E.g., 44.1 kHz re-sampled to 48 kHz does not sound as good as 44.1 kHz that is not re-sampled.) If you are not sure what your source audio sample rate is, ask your station’s audio engineer.

Note that some bitrate/codec/channel combinations might force the sample rate lower.

Summary and Suggestions

There is no “one size fits all” setting for audio quality. Use the suggestions listed below as a general starting point. In most cases, these settings will work perfectly well, but if you prefer to use higher or lower quality according to your needs, you can change them accordingly.

 

Enhanced Music


(Classical music, premium service, etc.)

Standard Music/Mixed


(General pop music. Top 40, talk, etc.)

Talk Radio


(Exclusively talk radio.)

Adaptive Bitrate

256/128/64 kbps

128/64/32 kbps

56/40/24 kbps

AAC Bitrate

96 kbps

64 kbps

32 kbps

MP3 Bitrate

128 kbps

96 kbps

64 kbps

Sample Rate

44.1 kHz stereo, unless your source material is 48 kHz stereo (in which case, use 48).

44.1 kHz stereo, unless your source material is 48 kHz stereo (in which case, use 48).

22.05 kHz mono.

AAC Notes

Triton Digital supports several variations of AAC, as described below.

  • AAC LC ("AAC low complexity"): If you want to use a bitrate of 128 KBPS or higher, this is your only option for AAC. It delivers excellent sound quality.

  • HE-AAC v1 ("High Efficiency AAC v1"): If you want to use a bitrate between 64Kbps and 128Kbps, this is the best choice. It is widely compatible and provides the best overall sound.

  • HE-AAC v2 ("High Efficiency v2"): If your content is stereo and you need to be at 56Kbps or lower, this is your best choice. However, if you are doing dual-mono (same sound in left/right channels instead of true stereo), you are better off with HE-AAC v1.

Available Codecs

For Wheatstone appliances:

  • Adaptive bitrate is not supported by Wheatstone encoders.

  • Only 44100 or 48000 sample rates are supported.

  • Otherwise, all formats are supported.

The lists below provide a more detailed view of the available codec presets. If you wish to use unlisted settings, speak with your Triton Digital Client Success Manager.

Adaptive

ONLY available when using Station Manager as the source.

  • Adaptive AAC - AAC-LC/AAC-LC/HE-AACV1 256/128/64 kbps 44.1 kHz (Stereo)

  • Adaptive AAC - HE-AACv1/HE-AACv1/HE-AACv2 128/64/32 kbps 44.1 kHz (Stereo)

  • Adaptive AAC - HE-AACv2 56/40/24 kbps 44.1 kHz (Stereo)

For other sources, we support the codec/sampling presets listed below. (Updated February 3, 2023.)

MP3

  • MP3 16kbps 11.025kHz Mono

  • MP3 16kbps 11.025kHz Stereo

  • MP3 24kbps 11.025kHz Stereo

  • MP3 24kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • MP3 32kbps 11.025kHz Stereo

  • MP3 32kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • MP3 40kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • MP3 40kbps 22.05kHz Stereo

  • MP3 48kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • MP3 48kbps 22.05kHz Stereo

  • MP3 56kbps 22.05kHz Stereo

  • MP3 56kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 64kbps 22.05kHz Stereo

  • MP3 64kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 64kbps 48.0kHz Mono

  • MP3 80kbps 22.05kHz Stereo

  • MP3 80kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 96kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 96kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 96kbps 48.0kHz Mono

  • MP3 96kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • MP3 112kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 112kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 128kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 128kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 128kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • MP3 160kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 160kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 192kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 192kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 192kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • MP3 224kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 224kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 256kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 256kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 256kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • MP3 320kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • MP3 320kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • MP3 320kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

HE-AAC v1

  • HE-AAC v1 16kbps 32.0kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 20kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 24kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 28kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 32kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 40kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 48kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 48kbps 48.0kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 48kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 56kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • HE-AAC v1 64kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 64kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 80kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 80kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 96kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 96kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 112kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 112kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 128kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v1 128kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

HE-AAC v2

  • HE-AAC v2 16kbps 32.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 20kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 24kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 28kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 32kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 40kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 40kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 48kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 48kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 56kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • HE-AAC v2 56kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

AAC-LC

  • AAC-LC 10kbps 11.025kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 12kbps 11.025kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 14kbps 11.025kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 16kbps 16.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 20kbps 11.025kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 20kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 24kbps 16.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 24kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 28kbps 16.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 28kbps 22.05kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 32kbps 22.05kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 32kbps 32.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 40kbps 32.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 40kbps 32.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 48kbps 32.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 48kbps 32.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 56kbps 32.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 56kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 64kbps 32.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 64kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 80kbps 32.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 80kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 96kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 96kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 96kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 112kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 112kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 112kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 128kbps 44.1kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 128kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 128kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 160kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 160kbps 48.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 160kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 192kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 192kbps 48.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 192kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 224kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 224kbps 48.0kHz Mono

  • AAC-LC 256kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 256kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 320kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 320kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 384kbps 44.1kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 384kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 448kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 512kbps 48.0kHz Stereo

  • AAC-LC 576kbps 48.0kHz Stereo