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Audio Identifier - MP3 Encoding

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Information taken from http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/

Finding out what Codec was used with AudioIdentifier

It shows the Average Bitrate in the lower left hand corner, which can be useful to know, but not used to determine if the rip was V0/V2, that will be under the "encoding options"

First, you need to have some basic understanding about MP3, and what some terms mean:

VBR (variable bitrate) settings
VBR: variable bitrate mode. Use variable bitrate modes when the goal is to achieve a fixed level of quality using the lowest possible bitrate. VBR is best used to target a specific quality level, instead of a specific bitrate. The final file size of a VBR encode is less predictable than with ABR, but the quality is usually better.

Usage: -V(number) where number is 0-9, 0 being highest quality, 9 being the lowest.
If you have a MP3 file where the bitrate level are all different, it’s most likely VBR, but you should check one of the two programs above to be sure, it might be a Mutt-Rip (Not all encoded the same)

The most Common of these are V0 and V2

As you can see, the Encoder states "V0: Preset Extreme" which means that V0 would go in the bitrate field.

Just because an album is VBR, does not mean it’s and V0 or V2 rip! V2 and V0 only came about with a later version of lame. Anything before that may be APS or APX.

Example of an APS rip:

It may also be neither, which is why you always check using one of the Programs listed above. Not everything is encoded with Lame, it could be VBR, with an average Bitrate of 240, but encoded with Something else like Xing, which is the encoder iTunes uses to Encode VBR MP3's:

If this is the case, then you would just put the Average Bitrate, 232 in this Case, in the Bitrate Field, and then check the "VBR" box. However, a smarter thing to do is learn how to rip in V0 and FLAC, you will get much more downloads, and have the satisfaction of knowing your rips are good! Also, if the encoder is not lame, but FHG or Xing, it is nice to state that in your torrent description so people know what they are downloading.

CBR (constant bitrate) settings
CBR: constant bitrate mode. CBR encoding is not efficient. Whereas VBR and ABR modes can supply more bits to complex music passages and save bits on simpler ones, CBR encodes every frame at the same bitrate. CBR is only recommended for usage in streaming situations where the upper bitrate must be strictly enforced.

Usage: -b where (bitrate in kbit/s) must be chosen from the following values: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, or 320.

The most common CBR rips are 192 and 320, but you will also see some 224 and 256.

Here is what AudioIdentifer will show for a 320 CBR rip:

These Programs do not check for transcodes!