I'm looking for a good MP3 encoder that will encode in variable bitrate, does anybody know some good ones?

What platform are you working on...mac/pc?

I've got a PC. Windows 2000.

I can't help you then, sorry. I only know encoders for the mac.

By the way, why do you need a good variable bit rate encoder?

shadouts cooledit can do that for you, when you have your mp3/wav open just go to file save as then click options
http://home.attbi.com/~fplus/bit.jpg

Alright, great, thanx.

I need it because when I send people music I usually encode it in 320kbps but with a lot of empty sound the file's get pretty big.

Sound Forge will do that for you as well - encodes in many different formats from 64 - 320 kb/sec as well as VBRs at low, medium, and highest quality settings. It's also a neat little editor (in only 2 tracks unfortunately) with many different options and effects including DirectX. I'm using ver 5.0, and (though an independant distributor) paid about $165 including shipping and everything. For specific info and product details look here.

there are alot of rippers that can do that. any good one should.

to rip you can use any ripper, like CDex or something. to encode the mp3files in variable bitrate - use Lame with the razorlame frontend.

cdex:
http://www.cdex.n3.net/

lame:
http://lame.sourceforge.net/

good luck

yup...that will do it too