# Mastering MP3 Audio: Record, Capture & Edit in C# and .NET

// Create basic MP3 encoder settings using Constant Bit Rate mode
var mp3Settings = new MP3EncoderSettings
{
    // Set to Constant Bit Rate - provides consistent file size and streaming reliability
    RateControl = MP3EncoderRateControl.CBR,
    // 192 kbps offers good quality for most music content while keeping file size reasonable
    Bitrate = 192,
    // Standard quality offers a good balance between encoding speed and output quality
    EncodingEngineQuality = MP3EncodingQuality.Standard,
    // Keep stereo channels (false) - set to true if you want to convert to mono
    ForceMono = false
};

// Configure MP3 encoder with Variable Bit Rate for optimal quality-to-size ratio
var vbrSettings = new MP3EncoderSettings
{
    // Quality-based VBR adjusts bitrate dynamically based on audio complexity
    RateControl = MP3EncoderRateControl.Quality,
    // Quality scale: 0 (best) to 10 (worst) - 2.0 provides excellent quality with reasonable file size
    Quality = 2.0f,
    // High quality encoding uses more CPU but produces better results
    EncodingEngineQuality = MP3EncodingQuality.High
};

// Create a Video Capture SDK core instance for recording
var core = new VideoCaptureCoreX();

// Initialize MP3 output with target filename
var mp3Output = new MP3Output("output.mp3");

// Configure audio encoding settings
mp3Output.Audio.RateControl = MP3EncoderRateControl.CBR;  // Use Constant Bit Rate for reliable streaming
mp3Output.Audio.Bitrate = 128;  // 128 kbps is suitable for general audio recording

// Add the MP3 output to the capture pipeline
core.Outputs_Add(mp3Output, true);

// Initialize Video Edit SDK for processing existing media
var core = new VideoEditCoreX();

// Create MP3 output with target filename
var mp3Output = new MP3Output("output.mp3");

// Configure Variable Bit Rate encoding for better quality-to-size ratio
mp3Output.Audio.RateControl = MP3EncoderRateControl.Quality;
mp3Output.Audio.Quality = 5.0f;  // Middle quality setting (0-10 scale) - good balance of quality and size

// Set as the primary output format for the editor
core.Output_Format = mp3Output;

// Initialize MP3 output with destination filename
var mp3Output = new MP3Output("output.mp3");

// Create default MP3 encoder settings object
mp3Output.Audio = new MP3EncoderSettings();
// Additional configuration can be applied to mp3Output.Audio properties

// Attach a custom audio processor for advanced audio manipulation
mp3Output.CustomAudioProcessor = new MediaBlock();
// The MediaBlock can be configured for effects, filtering, or other audio processing

// Retrieve the current output filename
string currentFile = mp3Output.GetFilename();

// Change the output destination
mp3Output.SetFilename("newoutput.mp3");

// Alternative way to set the filename via property
mp3Output.Filename = "another.mp3";

// Get information about available audio encoders
var audioEncoders = mp3Output.GetAudioEncoders();
// Returns a list of tuples containing encoder names and their setting types
// For MP3Output, this will contain a single entry for MP3

// Create MP3 encoder settings with desired configuration
var mp3Settings = new MP3EncoderSettings();

// Initialize MP3 output block with destination file and settings
var mp3Output = new MP3OutputBlock("output.mp3", mp3Settings);

// Check if MP3 encoding is available on the current system
if (!MP3EncoderSettings.IsAvailable())
{
   // Handle case where MP3 encoding is not available
   // This might occur if LAME or other required libraries are missing
}

// Configure settings for high-quality music recording
var highQualitySettings = new MP3EncoderSettings
{
    // Use quality-based Variable Bit Rate for optimal audio fidelity
    RateControl = MP3EncoderRateControl.Quality,
    // Highest quality setting (0.0f) for maximum audio fidelity
    Quality = 0.0f,
    // Use high-quality encoding algorithm (more CPU intensive but better results)
    EncodingEngineQuality = MP3EncodingQuality.High
};

// Configure settings optimized for audio streaming applications
var streamingSettings = new MP3EncoderSettings
{
    // Use Constant Bit Rate for predictable streaming performance
    RateControl = MP3EncoderRateControl.CBR,
    // 128 kbps provides good quality for most content while being bandwidth-friendly
    Bitrate = 128,
    // Fast encoding reduces CPU usage, important for real-time streaming
    EncodingEngineQuality = MP3EncodingQuality.Fast
};

// Configure basic MP3 output with standard settings
var mp3Output = new MP3Output
{
    // 192 kbps provides good quality for most music content
    CBR_Bitrate = 192,
    // CD-quality sample rate
    SampleRate = 44100,
    // Joint stereo mode provides better compression for most stereo content
    ChannelsMode = MP3ChannelsMode.JointStereo,
};

// Set as the output format for capture or editing
core.Output_Format = mp3Output; // Core is VideoCaptureCore or VideoEditCore

// Configure MP3 output with Variable Bit Rate for better quality/size balance
var mp3Output = new MP3Output
{    
    // Enable Variable Bit Rate encoding
    VBR_Mode = true,
    // Set minimum bitrate floor to ensure acceptable quality
    VBR_MinBitrate = 96,
    // Limit maximum bitrate to control file size
    VBR_MaxBitrate = 192,
    // Quality level 6 provides a good balance between quality and file size
    VBR_Quality = 6,
};

// Set as the output format for capture or editing
core.Output_Format = mp3Output; // Core is VideoCaptureCore or VideoEditCore

// Configure standard stereo MP3 encoding with fixed bitrate
var mp3Output = new MP3Output
{
    // 192 kbps provides good quality for most music while keeping file size reasonable
    CBR_Bitrate = 192,
    // Standard stereo mode encodes left and right channels independently
    ChannelsMode = MP3ChannelsMode.StandardStereo,
    // CD-quality sample rate
    SampleRate = 44100,
    // Disable Variable Bit Rate to ensure consistent file size and playback
    VBR_Mode = false
};

// Configure MP3 settings optimized for voice recordings
var voiceMP3 = new MP3Output
{
    // Enable voice-optimized encoding algorithms
    VoiceEncodingMode = true,
    // Use mono for voice to reduce file size (most voice doesn't benefit from stereo)
    ChannelsMode = MP3ChannelsMode.Mono,
    // Lower sample rate is sufficient for voice content
    SampleRate = 22050,
    // Enable Variable Bit Rate for better quality/size ratio
    VBR_Mode = true,
    // Better quality setting for voice clarity while keeping file size reasonable
    VBR_Quality = 4
};

// Configure high-quality MP3 settings for music archiving
var highQualityMP3 = new MP3Output
{
    // Enable Variable Bit Rate for optimal quality-to-size ratio
    VBR_Mode = true,
    // Set minimum bitrate to ensure good quality even in simple passages
    VBR_MinBitrate = 128,
    // Allow high bitrate for complex passages to preserve audio detail
    VBR_MaxBitrate = 320,
    // Use high quality setting (2) for excellent audio fidelity
    VBR_Quality = 2,
    // Set encoder algorithm to high quality mode
    EncodingQuality = 2,
    // Joint stereo provides better compression for most music content
    ChannelsMode = MP3ChannelsMode.JointStereo,
    // Professional audio sample rate captures full audible spectrum
    SampleRate = 48000,
    // Add VBR header for better player compatibility and seeking
    EnableXingVBRTag = true
};