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Question

Is an mp3 true stereo or 2 channel mono?

Sep 16, 2011 2:39AM PDT

Is there a program to determine if an mp3 is true stereo or only 2 channel mono?
I have thousands of .mp3 files that were origionally recorded from the output of a record changer. They were about 50-50 mono and stereo LPs or 45s but were all recorded as 160 kbps Stereo mp3 files. I would like to tag all these files as either from a (S)tereo or (M)ono source. Is there a way to determine if the mp3 channels are true stereo or simply mono recorded on both channels. I have been able to listen to the files and determine which they are but that is a time consuming (and boring) task.
Any suggestions of a program that might do that would be greatly appreciated. -carl-

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Good question. Was a tough one.
Sep 16, 2011 2:55AM PDT

It took awhile to consider how to solve this but it is possible.

I've have to craft some software but the HARD PART is done. We need a MP3 SPLITTER such as http://mp3splt.sourceforge.net/mp3splt_page/home.php so we can split the channels to 2 files.

NOW IT GETS A LOT EASIER. I bet that if the two files are exactly the same size or within some range then it's the same track. If a track is something quite small, that's also telling us something.

Wrap it all up and you have the beginnings of your custom app to answer your question.
Bob

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That Should Work
Sep 16, 2011 5:19AM PDT

Bob,
I'll have to write a batch file to use it since it is DOS based, But you have surely put me on the right track.Thanks for the quick responce. -c-