An improved gain-shape vector quantization is achieved by determining a number of bits to be allocated to a gain adjustment- and shape-quantizer for a plurality of combinations of a current bit rate and a first signal property. The bit allocation is derived by using an average of optimal bit allocations for a training data set. A number of bits to the gain adjustment and the shape quantizers for a plurality of combinations of the bit rate and a first signal are pre-calculated, and a table indicating the number of bits to be allocated to the gain adjustment- and the shape-quantizers for a plurality of combinations of the bit rate and a first signal property is created. In this way, the table can be used for achieving an improved bit allocation.