export as mp3

[spits]

I'm new user and able to export as wav file. When trying to export as mp3 program keeps telling me to highlight lame_enc.dll. This had been copied to desktop and don't seem to have access. Went to Audacity and downloaded another lame_enc.dll as it was a newer version.
Still cannot export as mp3. Will not find library. Am following instructions pretty closely so don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Says no mp3 plug-in?
Can anyone help
thanks

[steve]

Download the ZIP version from this page: http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/
Extract the lame.dll from the downloaded file and put it in the same folder as the "audacity.exe" file (usually something like C:Program FilesAudacity )
Open Audacity and go to "Edit menu > Preferences > File Formats"
Click on the "Find Library" button and navigate to the lame.dll file.
Audacity should then show that Lame v.3.98 has been located.
Exit Audacity to make the setting stick, then restart Audacity.

[nongeek]

Extract the lame.dll from the downloaded file and put it in the same folder as the "audacity.exe" file (usually something like C:Program FilesAudacity )

To stevethefiddle,
I found your reply to spits about the same problem I have. Unfortunately I am extremely green as regards jargon and tech stuff so I am a bit of a problem for helpers as I cannot usually follow what is meant. I wish to try what you suggested but am stuck from the above quote!
How do I get to the folder that contains the "Audacity.exe" file? I can't even find C:Program FilesAudacity . Told you I was thick I have downloaded the ' lame.dll' and have it on my desktop at the moment not knowing what to do with it.
Your help would be gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,
nongeek

[steve]

The exact details depend on which version of Audacity you have, and which version of Windows, so you will need to let me know what those are.
(For the Audacity version look in the "Help menu > About Audacity".)

Can you find the "My Computer" icon (either on your desktop or in the Start menu?
Double click on the "My Computer" icon and it will open a window that will show the drives on your machine - one of them will probably be labelled as the C: drive.
The main hard drive (with Windows and your programs on it) is usually called "C:"

Double click on the C: drive icon and it should show you the folders that are on the drive. One of those folders should be called "Program Files".

You may get a warning if you try to open the "Program Files" folder, but that is where we need to go.... so...
Double click on the "Program Files" icon and you will see a load of folders - these folders contain your programs, so from here you need to be quite careful.

Look for any folder that has the word "Audacity" in the name. Can you find any Audacity folders?

[nongeek]

Hi again,
Many thanks for your simplified explanation on what I need to do. I found it helpful and straightforward, thanks.
I apparently have Audacity 1.2.6 version. I have Windows Vista home premium.
I have found the audacity folder in the program files as you directed me. I opened the folder and discovered several other folders, one named Audacity again, but never went further as Do not know what to do
I have downloaded the 'lame' thing, and have it on my desktop, but don't know what to do next (Nothing unusual there!!) OK, I think I have caught up with what you wanted me to do, What now!
Thanks again.
nongeek

[steve]

For Vista it is recommended that you use the latest 1.3.11 version of Audacity.
Uninstall Audacity 1.2.6, then check that the audacity folder has been removed from the "Program Files" folder. If it has not been removed, delete it manually.

When you have done that, download Audacity 1.3.11 from here: http://audacityteam.org/download/
Then install it.

Call back when you get that far. We're getting there

[nongeek]

Hi,
Have downloaded Audacity as you suggested, now have it on my desktop. I also deleted the previous download I made of the 'lame' file and downloaded it again from the same site as an optional download, from which I downloaded the Audacity program. This also is now on my desktop.
We continue,
Many thanks again for your assistance.
nongeek

[steve]

To install Audacity, double click on the file that you downloaded (it should be called "audacity-win-unicode-1.3.11.exe" )

You will probably get a warning from Windows asking if you are sure that you want to run it - if you do, say Yes.
Follow on-screen instructions and click on "Next" as necessary to install Audacity.

When Audacity is installed:
Double click on the Lame.zip file and it will open a window with one or more files in it.
Find the file called "lame_enc.dll"
Right click on that file and select "Copy".

Now go to the "My Computer" icon and open it.
Click (or double click) on the C: drive to open it.
Find "Program Files" and open it
Find "Audacity 1.3 beta (Unicode)" and open it
Right click on a blank bit of that window and select "Paste"

OK so far? You should now see that a copy of "lame_enc.dll" is in the "Audacity 1.3 beta (Unicode)" folder.

If that has worked OK we can proceed:

Open Audacity and go to:
"Edit menu > Preferences > Libraries"
Click on the "Locate..." button just below where it says "MP3 Export Library"

If you're lucky it will tell you that it has located the lame file.
If it does not, follow the prompts and navigate to the "Audacity 1.3 beta (Unicode)" folder and select the "lame_enc.dll" file.

"Click "OK"

I have my fingers crossed

[nongeek]

Well, guess what! I think I have succeeded so far, thanks to your terrific guidance in helping me. I'm very grateful.
OK! I have got this far. I wonder if you could guide me further on how I export my music file from Audacity back into my iTunes? I have edited the track o.k but still unsure how to export it back. Would like it if you could guide me as to the procedure so I don't cock it all up again! if you don't mind that is.
Many thanks,
nongeek

[waxcylinder]

... how I export my music file from Audacity back into my iTunes? I have edited the track o.k but still unsure how to export it back...

Have a look at this page in the Wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Expor ... s_and_iPod

================================

But since you're using iTunes why are you bothering with MP3? Apple's AAC format is generally reckoned to give better quality audio than comparative size and bitrate MP3. You would only need MP3's if you want portability across other (non-Apple) devices.

See this sticky thread for the workflow I use: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 28&t=18759

WC