# Why would an MP3 sound file drop in bit rate when transferred via Dropbox?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-an-mp3-sound-file-drop-in-bit-rate-when-transferred-via-dropbox/755418>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 22, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-an-mp3-sound-file-drop-in-bit-rate-when-transferred-via-dropbox/755418 "2016-05-22T23:35:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-an-mp3-sound-file-drop-in-bit-rate-when-transferred-via-dropbox/755418/21 "2016-05-23T20:21:47Z")

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That sure sounds like it could be the problem. I’ll keep this in mind for next time. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-an-mp3-sound-file-drop-in-bit-rate-when-transferred-via-dropbox/755418/22 "2016-05-23T20:26:08Z")

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Yes, that is 99% likely the problem. This is an issue I deal with regularly as an audio engineer. Depending upon the encoder your engineer is using, the default is most likely VBR, and s/he either needs to de-select VBR (Pro Tools) or actively choose CBR (Wavelab/Myriad/etc).

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