Are VBR mp3s the best now for encoding & saving any music files?

[AcidicRage]

I do a lot of audio editing and work ... the VBR option is there, and the program I use (Sound Forge), I always seem to choose the "Highest Quality VBR" mp3s... Are these the best format nowadays?

 

[Terpfen]

VBR is fine, but unless you're loading these files onto a portable player, or sharing them online, I'd go for a lossless codec like FLAC.

 

[darkpark]

VBR isn't better. it's more economic. the encoder dynamically increases/decrease the bitrate as it is encoding audio. in other words, a 320kbs VBR won't sound better than a 320kbs CBR but it will be a little smaller.

 

[rhouck]

define "best"?

I still tend to make VBR rips of most CDs because space does become an issue and the tradeoff for space/quality vs lossless is acceptable imo.

I have a lot of problems maintaining free hard drive space tho I have a decent amount of music in lossless format (FLAC specifically) and I do prefer it... if I had the space I would rip all my CDs in it.

Short answer: It's probably the best for what you want.