Audacity Forum

Steve, I'm nearly ready to start exporting Audacity files to MP3 format.
I'm sure I downloaded a copy of lame about 5 months ago!
Can you tell me please how I can confirm that/find where the file is located.
When I type "lame" in the Start/search programs and files box, nothing appears?
Also, am I right in thinking that I cannot export Audacity files to MP3 format without lame?

Thanks, Peter

pswinbank wrote: am I right in thinking that I cannot export Audacity files to MP3 format without lame?

Correct.

pswinbank wrote:Can you tell me please how I can confirm that/find where the file is located.

You can check if Lame is installed and Audacity is configured to use it by going to "Edit menu > Preferences > Libraries"
If installed it will say "MP3 Library Version: LAME 3.98.2" or "MP3 Library Version: LAME 3.98.3"

If Lame is installed but Audacity is not yet configured to use it, try clicking on the "Locate" button and see if Audacity automatically detects Lame.

If Lame is not automatically detected I would recommend that you download the .ZIP version of Lame from here: http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/
then unzip the file into the Audacity program folder (by default that will be "C:Program FilesAudacity 1.3 Beta (Unicode)")
Then restart Audacity and go to "Edit menu > Preferences > Libraries" and click on the "Locate" button and LAME should be detected automatically.

Steve, many thanks, again.
I'll do all that you say.

Peter

Steve, <You can check if Lame is installed and Audacity is configured to use it by going to "Edit menu >
Preferences > Libraries">
I did that and I saw "MP3 Library Version LAME 3.98.2"

<If Lame is installed but Audacity is not yet configured to use it, try clicking on the "Locate" button and see if Audacity automatically detects Lame.>
I hit Locate and got a "Locate Lame" dialog box that said:
"Audacity needs the file lame_enc.dll to created MP3s.
Location of lame_enc.dll: C:PROGRAM FILES (X86)LAME FOR AUDACITYlame_enc.dll "

The dialog box offered the option "To get a free copy of LAME, click here (Download)"

I guess I don't need to download LAME again, right?

But how do I get hold of that pesky .dll file lame_enc.dll ?

Grateful for your advice.

Peter

pswinbank wrote: <You can check if Lame is installed and Audacity is configured to use it by going to "Edit menu >
Preferences > Libraries">
I did that and I saw "MP3 Library Version LAME 3.98.2"

That's it then. It's installed and ready to go.
Check it again to make sure it still says that - if it does, exit and restart Audacity to ensure that the setting is saved.
You can now export MP3 files from "File menu > Export" (select "MP3" as the format in the Export dialogue screen).

Steve, you're dead right again, of course. Thank you.
Just as you said.
Everything is working fine again.

I flapped a bit when I could not find find lame_enc.dll when I typed it in the Start Box (Search programs and files)
That was also compounded by the fact that the file is in Program Files (x86), not the usual Program Files.
I must confess that I don't understand what "(x86)" means in Windows!

Thanks again for your help. Peter

pswinbank wrote:I must confess that I don't understand what "(x86)" means in Windows!

The long and precise answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86

The short answer: it means "32 bit" not "64 bit". Some modern computers are based on a 64-bit architecture and use a 64-bit operating system.

Steve, I apologise for not acknowledging your response much earlier.

"pswinbank wrote:
I must confess that I don't understand what "(x86)" means in Windows!
The long and precise answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86

The short answer: it means "32 bit" not "64 bit". Some modern computers are based on a 64-bit architecture and use a 64-bit operating system."

Thanks very much.
I guess my Acer Aspire 8943G running an Intel i7 CPU Q720 @1.60 GHz must score as a "modern computer".
So it must be a 64-bit architecture use a 64-bit operating system ...

I'm plucking up courage to look at the wikipedia link you gave me!

Best, Peter

The i7 processor is 64-bit architecture, but it can run either a 32-bit or a 64-bit operating system. A 64-bit operating system would be required to take full advantage of the chip's capabilities.