A decoder for decoding an audio or image signal comprising a sequence of blocks of converted windowed samples and associated window information (160) identifying a specific window function for a block out of at least three different window functions, comprises: a processor (156) for providing a sequence of blocks of spectral values; a controllable converter (158) for converting the sequence of blocks of spectral values into a time domain representation using an overlap-add processing, wherein the controllable converter (158) is controlled by the window information to apply window functions indicated by the window information to the corresponding block to calculate a decoded audio or image signal, wherein the window is selected from a group of at least three windows comprising a first window (201) having a first overlap length (203), a second window (215) having a second overlap length (218), and a third window (224) having a third overlap length (229) or having no overlap, wherein the first overlap length (203) is greater than the second overlap length (218), and wherein the second overlap length (218) is greater than the third overlap length (229) or greater than an overlap of zero.