MP3 Encoder download basics

[Magic Sam]

I have downloaded the latest non-Beta Audacity and followed the instructions about downloading the Lame MP3 Encoder. However when I come to inspect the individual MP3 files (to make the link) there is no sign of the vital lame_enc.dll amongst all the rest. (Neither Windows Explorer Search nor myself could find it) What have I done wrong / not done or has something changed?

[steve]

I would highly recommend that you use Audacity 1.3.12 rather than the ancient .2.6 version.
You can get Audacity 1.3.12 here: http://audacityteam.org/download/

when I come to inspect the individual MP3 files (to make the link) there is no sign of the vital lame_enc.dll amongst all the rest.

I don't understand what you mean.
Instructions for installing Lame are here: http://audacityteam.org/help/faq?s=install&i=lame-mp3

[Magic Sam]

Tks for tips. I repeated the lame download procedure and the dll file seems to have made it this time. However I will have to repeat the exercise if I substitute 1.3.12 for the 1.2.6 which appeared to be the most recent till you told me otherwise. Is this the Beta version which I thought I would steer clear of until all bugs have been removed?

I was looking to download an idiot-proof how-to-use-it guide but the manual has c. 150 pages - no doubt for the benefit of the gurus rather than ordinary mortals like me.

[steve]

I will have to repeat the exercise if I substitute 1.3.12 for the 1.2.6

So long as you installed the latest version of Lame according to the instructions on the Lame Installation page, the only step that you need to do for Audacity 1.3.12 is:
Open Audacity,
Edit menu > Preferences > Libraries
Click on "MP3 Library > Locate".

Audacity should then automatically detect Lame. If not automatic, you may need to navigate to the Lame dll file so that Audacity knows where it is located.

[steve]

but the manual has c. 150 pages

There's a lot of features in Audacity. The manual aims to cover all of them.
There is also a "Quick Start" section in the manual: http://manual.audacityteam.org/index.ph ... uick_Guide
and there are quite a few guides for specific tasks in the "Tutorials" section of the Audacity wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Tutorials

[Magic Sam]

Tks and I will install 1.3.12 over the weekend trusting that if this is the Beta version it will have been reasonably bug-proofed by now, and also that it can access and use the same Lame files which I downloaded for the previous version. I will also dig around and see if I find a simple user manual from what you have said. However is it obvious which Audacity version is covered by which manual or do I have to seek out a particular one for 1.3.12 in order not to get confused?

[steve]

The links that I have posted are for Audacity 1.3.x and will also apply to the forthcoming Audacity 2.0 when it arrives.

The main Audacity 1.3.x manual is here: http://manual.audacityteam.org/index.ph ... =Main_Page

Check out the links in my signature (directly below this message) for other useful links.